Season Preview: 2021-22 Men's Basketball

WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team looks to continue its upward trajectory in 2021-22 after turning in a strong 2020-21 campaign. After qualifying for the Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament each of the last three seasons, the Presidents are searching to advance to the PAC Tournament Semifinal for the first time since 2012-13.

The Presidents are set to open their season on the road against Pitt-Greensburg on Monday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Conference play begins on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at defending conference champion Westminster College. W&J handed Westminster its lone loss during an abbreviated 2020-21 season.

2020-21 Season Review: W&J increased its winning percentage for the fifth consecutive season. The Presidents put together their best winning percentage since 2008 by winning seven of their 10 games during an abbreviated campaign. 

W&J faced a conference only schedule in 2020-21. The Presidents were able to finish 7-2 in PAC regular season play and earned the No. 3 seed in the PAC Tournament. The Presidents fell to Thiel by a 69-64 in the PAC Tournament quarterfinals. 

"Our expectations are that we have a group committed to improvement on a yearly basis, and it has been fun to see the work level thus far. Our main focus on improvement is overall role development," said head coach Ethan-Stewart-Smith." We have a relatively young roster that is beginning to create an identity, so we are really focused on what individual roles will be needed in order to be successful as a team."

The Presidents earned wins in each of the road games during the 2020-21 season. During the first road game of the season,  AJ Blue drained the go-ahead three-pointer with 9.3 seconds to play to give W&J a 64-63 road win over Westminster.

W&J graduated five seniors from last year's team, including a three-year starter and All-PAC performer in Cameron Seemann, who led the team in minutes (337), points (183) and three pointers (25). Blue finished second in minutes (295) and third in three pointers (7). Zach Queen, Jake Livingston and Nicholas Campalong were also lost to graduation. 

"It's impossible to replace a group of five players that have played such a critical role in the growth of our program, but they did an incredible job of laying the foundation for our current group to build off of," said Stewart-Smith. "Our team this year will have to be extremely detail oriented and we will need every player to really embrace their role."
 

2021-22 PAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
School (first-place votes)	Points	2020-21 Record (PAC)
1. Westminster College (8)	89	11-1 (8-1)
2. Geneva College	77	8-3 (7-2)
3. Grove City College (1)	70	8-4 (6-3)
4. Chatham University (1)	66	5-5 (5-4)
5. Washington & Jefferson College	54	7-3 (7-2)
6. Thiel College	52	4-7 (3-6)
7. Waynesburg University	44	3-7 (3-6)
8. Saint Vincent College	37	3-8 (2-7)
9. Franciscan University	32	3-8 (2-7)
10. Bethany College	19	2-8 (2-7)

2021-22 PAC Men's Basketball Players to Watch: Kyran Mitchell

Team Captain: Kyran Mitchell

Key Returners:
Junior guard Kyran Mitchell (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) started nine of 10 games during his sophomore season. Mitchell led the team in total minutes among those players returning and finished second in points behind Seemann (122). Additionally, Mitchell led the team in defensive rebounds (54).

"Kyran sets the tone for our team with his work ethic and vocal leadership," said Stewart-Smith. "I do not think I've ever seen a player improve to the level that Kyran has over the course of his first three years. He will continue to be a leader for us and we will expect him to produce at a high level on both sides of the ball."

Senior post players Okikiola Agbale (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) and Alexander Skowron (Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley) have helped anchor the Presidents inside game for parts of the past three seasons.

"Kiki and Alex have steadily improved over the course of their careers. They have put in a lot of work and it has been really fun to see their development into a couple of the best front court players in the PAC," said Stewart-Smith. "We are really fortunate to have the versatility that they provide, and they have been a big part of our success since they have arrived on campus."

Sophomores Nick Gearhart (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) and J.R. Mazza (Bridgeport, W.Va./University) gained minutes off the bench as freshman and will look for increased playing time in year two.

Newcomers: Six players will compete in game action for the first time for the Red and Black. 

Junior - Xavier Prince (Columbus, Ohio/Reynoldsburg/Point Park)
Sophomore - Michael Bigley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton La Salle)
Freshman - Maurice Hudgins (Hayes, Va./Christchurch School)
Freshman - Darus Bacote (Aberdeen, Md./Havre De Grace)
Freshman - Jordon Nelson (Mint Hill, N.C./Hickory Grove Christian)
Freshman - Christian McGowan (Greensburg, PA./Greensburg Central Catholic)

Looking at the Schedule: The Presidents are set to compete in a 25-game schedule for the 2021-22 season. The Presidents are slated to have their 2021-22 home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 16 against Penn State Altoona.

The schedule features seven non-conference games. The Red and Black will take on Pitt-Greensburg (Nov. 8), Kenyon (Nov. 10), Penn State Altoona (Nov. 16), Gwynedd Mercy and an opponent to be determined at the Juniata Tournament (Nov. 19-20), Carnegie Mellon (Nov. 27) and Mount Aloysius (Dec. 20).

League play starts on Dec. 1 as W&J travels to New Wilmington, Pa. to take on Westminster. The first conference home game will take place on Dec. 7 as W&J will host the Bethany Bison. W&J opens the New Year at Salvitti Family Gymnasium until Jan. 4 as they host Thiel.

W&J will play a double round rouble scheduled against conference opponents. The PAC Tournament is scheduled to be held from February 22-26.

Last Word: "We are excited and grateful to be able to experience a full season this year. We have a great blend of veteran guys that have been through the challenges of a full PAC season along with some younger guys that are ready to embrace the opportunity," said Stewart-Smith. "We are excited to continue to compete for a berth in our conference tournament and for a PAC Championship."