Men’s Basketball Tabbed Fifth in GAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced on Thursday the results of its 2023-24 GAC men's basketball preseason coaches' poll, and East Central University was selected for a fifth place finish. Southeastern received nine first-place votes from the league's head coaches to enter the season as the favorite.
"It is finally that time of year," Head Coach Daniel Wheeler said. "Preseason polls are what they are. It is what our peers think of us. I really like this team. We have a lot of work to do to ultimately accomplish what we want, but I believe this group of young men can do it."
Last season, ECU men's basketball posted an 18-11 overall record and 13-9 in the GAC under the guidance of first-year head coach Daniel Wheeler, a seven win improvement from the 2021-22 season. The Tigers entered the GAC Championships as the No. 4 seed and had five players honored with All-GAC recognition.
The Tigers will have a new look this year as the team welcomes 11 new additions to the 2023-24 roster.
Key returners from last years squad include
Godsgift Ezedinma and All-GAC Selection
Keyon Thomas
Thomas led the team in scoring at 13.1 points per game. He shot 50.4 percent from the floor and 41.0 percent from the three-point arc. For his efforts during the 2022-23 season, Thomas was named to the All-GAC Honorable Mention Team in his debut season with the Tigers.
Ezedinma, who will be entering his second year with the Tigers, played a crucial role in helping the team clinch the No. 4 seed to the postseason tournament. He saw action in all 29 games, averaging 25 minutes per contest, and returns as the team's leading rebounder and shot blocker with 130 rebounds and 11 blocks.
The East Central University men's basketball team will kick off the 2023-24 season at the Oklahoma Baptist University Classic in Shawnee, Oklahoma Nov. 10-11. The Tigers will face the University of Minnesota Crookston Friday, Nov. 10 at 3 pm and the University of Minnesota Duluth Saturday, Nov. 11 at 3 pm.
