Season Preview 2022-23 Men’s Basketball

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (October 24, 2022) – The Milligan University men's basketball team is ready for a new season as the Buffs are set to begin their 2022-23 on Oct. 27 at the University of the Cumberlands.

Visual Preview

2021-22 Season Review: The Milligan University men's basketball team was decimated by injuries from October through February as the Buffs had 11 different players appear in the starting lineup. Milligan's opening night starting five played intact and without injury fewer than five games in all of 2021-22.

The Buffs finished 5-19 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action and finished 12th in the league standings. The Buffs bowed out in the opening round of the AAC Tournament at Truett McConnell.

In January, Milligan played its most competitive stretch of the season as the Buffs knocked off third-place Reinhardt 59-57. The Buffs then traveled to (RV) Tennessee and led the Bulldogs by five with four minutes to play but TWU closed the game on a 10-0 spurt to avoid the upset. The following game Milligan led Union, the eventual AAC regular season and tournament champs, 65-63 in the final minute before a clutch three-pointer in the final 30 seconds delivered the game for the Bulldogs.

January also saw Milligan drop a double-overtime heartbreaker to Truett McConnell and earn double-digit wins over CIU and Kentucky Christian. Injuries bit the Buffs again after the stretch as Milligan's available players dwindled down the stretch in February.

"Last season was the toughest year I have had in over 30 years of college coaching," said 14th-year head coach Bill Robinson. "We only had one game where the team was completely healthy and only three players played in all 28 games. Six team members needed surgery for various injuries. I don't think we had six surgeries in the last 10 seasons! So, it was definitely a unique situation. It did give us an opportunity to develop our young guys and hopefully that will pay off this season."

2022-23 AAC Preseason Poll: The Buffs were picked to finish 10th in the AAC Preseason Poll.

Team – Points (First-place votes)
1. Union - 168 (12)
2. Reinhardt - 148
3. Columbia International - 127
4. Tennessee Wesleyan – 111
5. Truett McConnell – 110
6. Montreat - 92 (1)
7. Bluefield - 90
8. Point - 89
9. Bryan – 85
10. Milligan - 61
11. Johnson - 41
12. Kentucky Christian - 36
13. St. Andrew's – 25

Key Returners: The Buffs return five players who started double-digit games last season and seven players who averaged over 16 minutes per game in 2021-22.

Senior guard Levontae Knox earned All-AAC Second Team honors and led the Buffs in scoring (13.3), rebounding (6.0), assists (2.9) and steals (36) last season. Knox collected AAC All-Defensive Team honors after the 2020-21 season and finished fifth in the AAC in field goal percentage (63.0 percent). He scored in double-figures in 18 games last winter with six 20-point outings.

"Levontae had an incredible season," said Robinson. "He stepped up in so many ways both offensively and defensively. We are excited to see how his game has continued to improve."

Senior forward Sami Sanad averaged 11.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in his debut season with the Buffs ranks second to Knox among returners in scoring, rebounding and assists. He hit his stride at the end of the season, averaging 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists in nine February games.

"Sami plays with an energy and passion that is unmatched," said Robinson. "He can play multiple positions and can create matchup issues for opponents. His jump shot has been much more consistent this fall, and we anticipate a big season for him this year."

Junior point guard Finn McClure had his 2021-22 season disrupted by injury and missed time in November, December and January. He closed the season with a career high 20 points in the AAC Tournament against Truett McConnell. By February, he worked his way back into the starting lineup and scored in double-figures in six of the final seven games. McClure averaged 7.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists last winter.

"Finn is finally healthy and playing great," said Robinson. "He is our leader on the court and loves to share the basketball, getting all of his teammates involved. He is our best passer but also has the ability to make shots when needed."

Senior guard Jackson Gabriel returns as one of the top perimeter shooters in the AAC. He was limited to just 11 games last winter but connected on 29 three-pointers to finish second on the roster in three-pointers made. Gabriel averaged 9.9 points and made three or more three-pointers in six of 11 games against NAIA opposition. Against Division I Mercer, he was five-of-eight from deep and drilled four threes against NCAA DII Alabama Huntsville.

"Jackson is one of the best shooters I have coached," said Robinson. "But he is still dealing with complications from total reconstructive surgery of his ankle in the off season. Hopefully we can get him back in the lineup by Christmas time."

Sophomore forward Flynn Carlson merited a spot on the AAC All-Freshman Team in his debut season with the Buffs. Carlson appeared in all 28 games and averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. He recorded his first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds at St. Andrews and scored a season high 17 points in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse against the Knights.

"Flynn has had a great off-season, adding about 15 pounds of muscle," said Robinson. "It has really increased his productivity on the court. Flynn brings the ability to run the floor, score inside and is our best offensive rebounder. He has also shown signs this fall of being able to hit the open jumper. He will fight for a starting spot this season."

Senior guard Adam Graham enters his third season as a contributor with the Buffs in 2021-22. He averaged 5.3 points in 16.8 minutes per game with five double-digit scoring outings. He memorably sank a last-second three to force double overtime against Truett McConnell and scored a career high 16 points at Montreat.

Junior guard Alex Chambers was called upon as a reserve guard in December, January, and February. He sank multiple three-pointers in five games and averaged 2.8 points in just over nine minutes per game.

Junior forward Julian Wilson recorded 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds per game over 17 games and senior forward Chase Love appeared in 10 games. Forward Matthew Roberts looks to make his Milligan debut after redshirting last winter.

Newcomers: Milligan welcomes five newcomers to the mix for the 2022-23 campaign. Graduate transfer Drew Greene joins the Buffs after playing for and earning degrees from UVA Wise and Bethel (IN).

Several incoming players have connections with current Buffs. Transfer Sam Gold continues the pipeline of players from New Zealand to Milligan, joining fellow Kiwis McClure and Piripi Korent. Lincoln Thomae was a high school teammate of Carlson at Victory Christian Academy in Indiana.

Milligan adds a pair of northeast Tennessee natives in freshman Eli Walls (Powell, Tenn./Powell HS) and Dylan Bartley (Bluff City, TN/Sullivan East HS) joining the Buffs this winter.

"We are very excited about the additions we have made to this year's team," said Robinson. "Drew Greene is a solid point guard that can handle it, defend and make open shots. He has played college at a high level and knows what it takes to win! Sam Gold is a Division II transfer that can play inside and out. Sam is an excellent rebounder gives us another GO-TO option on the offensive end. One of the areas we struggled with last year was the ability to knock down the 3-point shot. Freshmen Eli Walls, Dylan Bartley and Lincoln Thomae are all excellent shooters and will compete for rotation time immediately."

Looking at the Schedule: Milligan's nonconference slate includes a season opening game at the University of the Cumberlands on Oct. 27.

The Buffs play a 24-game conference schedule with home-and-home dates with the other 12 teams in the league.

Milligan is set to play several exhibitions against NCAA Division I opponents. The Buffs travel to UNC Asheville on Nov. 1, to Mercer on Nov. 11 and Austin Peay on Nov. 14. The Buffs head to to Hawaii for the Hawaii Hilo Classic on Dec. 18-19.

The AAC Tournament will take place Feb. 20-25 at the Meadowview Marriott Convention Center & Conference Resort in Kingsport.

"Our schedule is tough, Really tough," said Robinson. "We only play three non-conference games this season. University of Cumberlands has been to the national tournament the last six years and will provide a great test for us to start the season. Our team loves the challenges of playing the Division I schools! It's always fun to compete against the best. We have not made a long trip in 12 years so the games in Hawaii will really be special. Hawaii-Hilo is an excellent NCAA D2 program and will be a great opponent to face right before the Christmas break. Also looking forward to taking the team to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Life is not all about basketball."

Last Word: "I love this team, both on and off the floor!" said Robinson. "They have been great to work with and we have the pieces to be really good. The pre-season poll pick of 10th is just a reflection of last year's team. It really doesn't mean anything but I do hope it motivates our guys. If we can stay healthy and focused on working together, I know we can do great things."