Men's Basketball Team Picked 3rd in GLIAC South

2016-17 GLIAC Men's Basketball Season Preview Package

• Starters returning/lost: 2/3
• Top returning players: Jr. G Stedman Lowry, Sr. C Nick Archer, Jr. G/F Ryan Badowski, Sr. F Rhett Smith, So. G Nate Neveau
• Key losses: Kyle Cooper (2016 GLIAC Player of the Year), Zach Miller, Jason Pretzer 
• Top Newcomers:  So. G Harrison Niego (transfer from Indiana U.), G Connor Hill, F Trenton Richardson
• 2015-16 record (overall/GLIAC): 18-10 overall, 13-9 GLIAC
• Head coach: John Tharp (10th season at Hillsdale)
• Record at Hillsdale: 156-92
• First year of men's basketball: 1900-01

VIDEO: Kat Torres previews the upcoming men's basketball season with coach John Tharp

OVERVIEW

Entering his 10^th season with the program, Hillsdale College men's basketball coach John Tharp hopes to continue a long tradition of success with the Chargers, while restocking the program with talent in 2016-17.

Gone are multi-year starters Kyle Cooper, Zach Miller and Jason Prezter. Cooper was last year's GLIAC Player of the Year and Second-Team All-American. In their place, Tharp is hoping a quick lineup with a plethora of shooters can keep Hillsdale in contention in its final year in the GLIAC.

Seniors Nick Archer and Rhett Smith lead the team's group of forwards. Archer split starting center duties with Pretzer last year, and is a classic back-to-the-basket player, with a nice touch on his jumper. Smith redshirted last year, but is back in the lineup with a solid all-around game of rebounding, defense and inside scoring.

The strength of the team figures to reside on the perimeter, where starting guards Nate Neveau and Stedman Lowry return. Just a sophomore, Neveau has already matured into a leader on the team, and has great speed, versatility and fearlessness from the guard position. Lowry drained 74 3-point baskets last year, tied for fourth-most in a season in school history, and is one of the GLIAC's deadliest shooters.

The Chargers also welcome sophomore transfer Harrison Niego to the program in 2016-17. Niego spent his freshman year at Indiana University, where he played in 25 games for the Hoosiers. His high basketball IQ and big-game experience figure to be big assets to Hillsdale in the coming season.

2016-17 GLIAC Preseason Poll