(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's basketball is preparing to open the 2022-23 season with a home contest against Trinity International this Saturday at 7 pm. The Cardinals will return an experienced lineup as they look to improve their WHAC standing this year. Head coach Ricky Yahn has now reached the decade mark as he enters his 10th season at the helm.
2021-22 Season Review
Concordia finished 9-18 overall and 4-16 in the WHAC last year. The Cardinals earned a 66-61 win in overtime over rival Siena Heights early in the year. The team played NCAA Division I Ohio University and led at halftime before falling in the second half. Later in the year, CUAA earned an 85-78 double-OT win against Lawrence Tech and downed Siena Heights 66-60 to sweep the season series.
2022-23 Schedule Outlook
The Cardinals' season opener will be this Saturday, October 29 at 7 pm when the team hosts Trinity International.
Concordia will compete at Point Park to begin in the month of November. WHAC play begins November 9 with a home contest against Lourdes. The team will travel to Rochester and then return home to host UNOH. The Cardinals will play road contests at UM-Dearborn and Cornerstone before resting up for Thanksgiving break. The month concludes with a home match against Lawrence Tech.
December starts with another home game against rival Madonna. After a road match at Aquinas, the Cardinals will play a non-conference home tilt against Spring Arbor before Christmas break. Following the holiday, the month ends with a road contest at Great Lakes Christian College and a home match versus Holy Cross.
January begins with a return to WHAC play when the team hosts Aquinas. The Cardinals travel to Indiana Tech and rival Siena Heights before returning home to host Rochester. The team heads back on the road to face UNOH, hosts UM-Dearborn and then travels to Lawrence Tech. On January 27-28, the team will travel to Concordia-Nebraska to participate in the 70th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT). This is the first time the event has been held since the 2019-20 season.
In February, the Cardinals return to WHAC play at Lourdes. The team will then host Indiana Tech and Cornerstone. The regular season concludes with two rivalry matches – a road game at Madonna and a home contest against Siena Heights.
Concordia Personnel
Senior Colton Ritsema leads all returners with 10.2 PPG last season along with 3.8 RPG. Senior Matt Lockhart brings his shooting touch with 9.2 PPG and 5.2 RPG. Senior Kip French chipped in 7.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG and 2.4 APG last year. Senior Zac Clark recorded 4.9 PPG and 2.8 RPG. Senior Henry Knapp notched 1.4 PPG last season. Senior Erik Mroczek provides additional depth and leadership.
Junior Devyn Jones was strong inside with 9.4 PPG and 6.8 RPG. Junior Zackary Johnson returns after recording 7.6 PPG, 1.5 RPG and 1.3 APG. Junior Matt Kohler recorded 3.5 PPG and 1.8 RPG last year.
Junior Nate Brighton had 2.1 PPG and 1.4 RPG. Junior Darren Mitchelson had 2 points and 5 rebounds in 6 games.
Sophomore Jayden Priddy emerged in the second half of last year, notching 5.9 PPG and 2.0 RPG. Sophomore D'Angelo Stoxstill had 2.2 PPG and 1.8 RPG last year. Sophomore Mason Canfield notched 3.0 PPG in 6 games. Sophomore Jason Jergens saw action in a contest last season. Ethan Young redshirted last season and will still be classified as a freshman.
The Cardinals have added 15 newcomers: junior transfers Jack MacLeod and Nathan Pickett, sophomore Hunter Yeakey, and freshmen Adam Bassil, Amari Robinson, Anthony Gavin, Ben Buhler, Cameron Ohlsson, Carter VanManen, Hayden Cornfield, Jason Williams, Jehdi Frederique, Mike Bruce, Reggie Cotton, and William Asare-Kakye.
Head coach Ricky Yahn is joined by assistant coaches David Park, and Jake Fosdick.
WHAC Preview
CUAA was voted ninth in the conference with a total of 31 points. At the top of the conference was Indiana Tech gaining nine first-place votes and totaling 119 points, while Madonna and Lourdes trailed not too far with 105 and 104 points respectively. Madonna also earned two first-place votes. Rounding out the top five were Cornerstone and Rochester earning 85 and 74 points respectively.
Finishing out the conference was Aquinas (62), Lawrence Tech (51), UNOH (47), Concordia, Siena Heights (25), and UM-Dearborn with 23 points.
2021-22 Team Stats
