After losing only two seniors last season, the Baker University’s men’s basketball team is returning 11 experienced players for what head coach Rick Weaver calls, “the toughest schedule we’ve had during my 22 years of coaching here.”
“I think we’re going to have a competitive team,” Weaver said. “Our schedule is brutal, and we have some tests.”
The ‘Cats have a full schedule, playing the University of Missouri – Kansas City, Emporia State University and Fort Hays State University, along with tough Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
“The league on the men’s side is the strongest it’s ever been,” Weaver said. “Four teams went to the (national) tournament last year, and two went to the final four. There’s probably four or five teams who are capable of winning a national championship, which is rare for our league. I think it’s, by far, the strongest league in the country right now.”
The returning ‘Cats include 11 letter winners from last season, six of whom are seniors. Marc Roberts and Nate Pedrow will lead the inside game, while DJ Watkins, Greg Allen, Evan Wright, junior Andy Hannon and sophomore Dain Dillingham will take care of the ball around the arc.
Pedrow said this team is the best team he’s played with since he’s been in college.
“We will probably be the best team Baker’s had in a long time,” Pedrow said.
Junior Aaron Toren and senior Ross Thompson will both return after being injured last year and will be thrown into the rotation down low.
Two new guards have been added to the team: junior Taylor Parker, a transfer from Johnson County Community College and sophomore Ryan Highfill coming from Washburn University.
“We play together well as a team, and when a team plays well, anything can happen on a good night,” Pedrow said.
The ‘Cats open at 4 p.m. Saturday at home against Ottawa University.