KALAMAZOO, Mich. – In its final tune-up before regular season play, the Western Michigan men's basketball team is set to face Kalamazoo College in an exhibition contest at University Arena at 7 pm on Wednesday evening. Fans can purchase tickets here.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
In 2022-23, Western Michigan boasted the top rebounding margin (+4.7/game) and was the best offensive rebounding team (12.2/game) in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos bring back a pair of players who started all 31 games last year in senior center Titus Wright and sophomore guard Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro. Sophomore guard Seth Hubbard was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team a season ago, and fellow sophomore JaVaughn Hannah returns after a true freshman campaign which saw him earn 14 starts. Redshirt junior guard B. Artis White is back as well for the Brown and Gold after missing the 2022-23 campaign due to injury. Among the other returners for WMU are junior forward Owen Lobsinger, redshirt sophomore forward Jack Stefanski and redshirt freshman Max Burton, who is also coming off of an injury in 2022-23. 

Second-year head coach Dwayne Stephens also brought six newcomers into the fold for the 2023-24 campaign. Graduate student forward Anthony Crump is the most experienced of the group, having played more than 100 games at the collegiate level. Crump spent the last three seasons at Northern Illinois. Redshirt sophomore center Javonte Brown transferred to WMU from another Division I school as well, having spent the last two seasons at Texas A&M. From the junior college ranks, the Broncos welcomed in junior guard Brandon Muntu, who was an NJCAA Third Team All-American at Triton College, and fellow junior Markhi Strickland, who spent last season at Victoria College. Western Michigan's true freshman class consists of wing player Josh Thomas (Lincolnshire, Ill.) and forward Michael Sulaka (Macomb, Mich.).

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Wednesday's matchup is also the final exhibition contest for Kalamazoo College before it begins its 2023-24 regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 7, against Grace Christian. The Hornets are coming off of a 5-20 campaign in 2022-23. Kalamazoo brings back a pair of double-digit scorers from last year's squad in senior guard Ty Horky (10.5 PPG) and junior forward Lukas Broadsword (10.3 PPG). The Broncos defeated the Hornets, 82-59, in last season's exhibition matchup at University Arena. 

ON THE HORIZON
The Broncos begin their 2023-24 regular season on Monday, Nov. 6, at 7 pm as they host North Dakota State. For tickets to all WMU men's basketball home games, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets or call 1-888-4-WMUTIX.