KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team prepares for its final tune-up before the regular season as the Broncos host neighbor Kalamazoo College on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2:00 p.m. inside University Arena.
Saturday, Nov.4 • 2:00 p.m. • Kalamazoo, Mich. • University Arena (5,421)
Lourdes University (7-17, 3-11 MIAA*)
vs. Western Michigan (16-16, 11-7 MAC*)
*indicates 2016-17 record
Last Time Out
WMU defeated Lourdes, 106-51 to open up exhibition play last Sunday. The Brown and Gold had three score in double figures with junior Josh Davis leading the way with 29 points. Overall, WMU shot 57.8 percent from the field while forcing the Grey Wolves to commit 34 turnovers.
Scouting the Broncos
The Broncos return 10 letterwinners and four starters from last year's squad that won their final eight regular season games to claim their ninth MAC West title in program history. The eight game win streak was the second longest MAC winning streak in school history.
Broncos Tabbed as Preseason MAC Favorite
As voted on by the leagues' head coaches and media, the Broncos are the favorite to claim the MAC Tournament Championship with 10 votes, followed by Buffalo with nine and Ball State with five. WMU received 22 of 30 first-place votes to repeat as MAC West Champions.
Wilder Named Preseason All-MAC West
Senior guard Thomas Wilder was named to the Preseason All-MAC West team after earning First Team All-MAC honors a year ago. Wilder scored in double figures in 31 of the 32 contests last season and averaged 19.3 points and 4.3 rebounds last season.
WMU Ranked in National Preseason Polls
The Broncos continue to receive preseason attention after being ranked in two national Mid-Major polls. WMU is ranked No.19 in the NBC Sports' Preseason Mid-Major Power Rankings and No.23 in the College Insider Preseason Top 25. WMU is the only school in the Mid-American Conference to be ranked in both polls.
Looking Ahead
The regular season begins on Saturday, Nov. 11 as the Broncos host Siena Heights at 2:00 p.m. WMU then travels down south for a match-up with 2017 Final Four participant South Carolina on Nov.13 in a non-bracketed game of the 2017 Puerto Rico Tip-Off at Myrtle Beach.
Scouting Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College begins its second season under head coach Jay Smith as the Hornets in 2016 went 7-17 overall and 3-13 in MIAA play. The Hornets return eight letterwinners from last year's squad while welcoming 11 freshmen. Kalamazoo College ranked third in the MIAA last season after shooting 38 percent from behind the three-point line.
