FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's basketball team kicks off its 2014-15 season Saturday afternoon, as the team host Missouri Valley College. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.
 
The Owls are coming off a 9-23 overall record, which saw the team end the 2013-14 American Midwest Conference (AMC) regular season with a 6-14 record. 
 
The team entered the AMC postseason tournament as an 8^th seed, where the squad defeated Missouri Baptist University and becoming the first team in program's history to host and win a postseason game.
 
WWU is looking to replace four key players, including the top two scorers from last year which include Jonathon Nutt, Blake Burgess, Seth Thomas and Dontre' Jenkins.
 
The four players combined for 1,258 out of the teams' 2,363 points scored last season. Nutt (14.7 ppg) and Burgess (14.1 ppg) both received All-AMC accolades last year, while Thomas averaged 8.1 points per game from the perimeter and Jenkins (4.6 ppg) was a solid and veteran point guard. Despite the loss of the four departing seniors, the Owls roster is a dense mixture between some experienced returners and talented newcomers
 
Head coach Nick Totta was looking to relay on senior Derrick Hayes and junior Patrick Lewis to help lead the team this season, however preseason injuries have the two returners sidelined and Totta will look to his depth roster to step up and fill the shoes this season. 
 
"We have sustained a few injuries recently, changing our rotation and make up a little, therefore looking for quick adjustments and learning curve," expresses coach Totta.
 
Some other returners to keep an eye are Nate Bitner and Klayton Kuschel. Bitner, a 6 foot 6 forward, saw action in 30 games with 14 starts last season, as he was third on the team in scoring with 8.2 points and 11 rebounds per game. Kuschel, a Chamois, Missouri native, appeared in 32 games in his first season with the Owls, averaged 3.3 points per game and lead the team in blocks with 22.
 
Coach Totta is certain that there are some newcomers on the roster that can step in, create good competition and become a huge impact to the team. Some newcomers to look out for on are transfers Jarett Boss, TaiRhe Turner, DJ Johnson, Alec Mulvhill, and Jerel Wilhite, along with freshman, Darrien Dickey.
 
The Vikings, who ended the 2013-14 season with a 15-15 record, which included an 8-10 record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) are picked fifth in the HAAC this season.
 
MVC returns four starters and 10 players who saw playing time last season. In those returners, are HAAC Newcomer of the Year, senior guard Brad Hamilton and all-conference honorable mention honoree, senior forward James Lane
 
Last season against MVC, the Owls dropped its season opener and a re-match later in the season by a combined 14 points, as Burgess lead WWU in both games offensively.
 
"Missouri Valley College is a talented and deep team," says coach Totta. "They have several returning players and have added some new pieces, so it will be a good challenge for us."
 
Fans check back on wwuowls.com for results and recap of the season opener at Anderson Arena.

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