Season Preview: Men’s Basketball 2023-24

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (October 30, 2023) – Following the biggest turnaround in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) last season, the Milligan University men's basketball team combines an experienced core with a crop of exciting newcomers for the 2023-24 season.

Visual Preview

Milligan begins its campaign with an exhibition at NCAA Division II Union on Nov. 4.

2022-23 Season Review: Milligan improved by seven conference wins in 2022-23 compared to the previous season as the Buffs posted a 12-12 record in league play to finish eighth in the AAC standings.

The Buffs won seven of 10 games to close the regular season, including an 82-67 at the AAC's regular season runner-up Montreat and a 69-63 victory at Tennessee Wesleyan to secure a season sweep of the Bulldogs. On the final day of the regular season, Milligan took down AAC Tournament finalist Bryan 82-76 right before the Lions' deep conference tournament run. The Buffs fell to Truett McConnell in the opening round of the AAC Tournament.

"Last year was a huge improvement over the previous year," said 15th-year head coach Bill Robinson. "We doubled our overall win total and played well down the stretch. When healthy, I felt we could compete with anyone at the conference. Unfortunately, we only had two players compete in every game, but I really like the momentum last year has given us going into this season."

Milligan ranked top-three in AAC in assists per game (14.6), field goal percentage (46.4 percent) and opponents' field goal percentage (42.4 percent).

2023 Preseason Poll: The Buffs were picked eighth of 13 teams in the 2023-24 AAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

1. Union - 168 (12 first-place votes)
2. Pikeville - 151 (1)
3. CIU - 127
4. Reinhardt - 126
5. Montreat - 114
6. Bryan - 108
7. Tennessee Wesleyan - 82
8. Milligan - 69
9. Truett - 68
10. Johnson - 64
11. Bluefield - 55
12. KCU - 32
13. SAU - 19

Key Returners: Milligan returns three of its top five scorers from the 2022-23 campaign.

"Sam Gold, Finn McClure, and Flynn Carlson give us a solid core of returning starters that will provide scoring, defense, rebounding, and leadership for this season's team," said Robinson. "McClure will be our point guard and leader on the floor. Gold could start at either forward position and Carlson will be the big nan in the middle to start the season."

Junior forward Sam Gold is Milligan's leading returning scorer. The New Zealand native transferred in from Holy Names University and emerged as a key contributor immediately. Gold was Milligan's second-leading scorer at 10.9 points per game and top rebounder with 5.0 rebounds per game.

"Sam had an excellent season for the Buffs last season but we expect even more production this year," said Robinson. "He brings a balanced attack at the offensive end with the ability to score inside and out. Defensively, Gold was one of our most active defenders. Looking forward to a big year from Sam this season!"

One most efficient scorers and top shot-blockers in the AAC, Gold ranked seventh in field goal percentage (53.2 percent) and ninth in blocks (30). He memorably scored 18 points in an exhibition matchup at NCAA Division I Mercer.

Senior point guard Finn McClure averaged 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 20 games last season. In Milligan victories, he averaged 10.4 points per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from deep. McClure scored in double-figures seven times, including in Milligan's win at Montreat and both triumphs over Tennessee Wesleyan.

"McClure has been playing with multiple injuries over the last two years, affecting his play tremendously," said Robinson. "But he is finally healthy and it has shown in practice. He has been shooting the ball great and had embraced the increase in offensive tempo. He loves to play fast! We are a better team when he has the ball in his hands."

Junior center Flynn Carlson worked his way into the starting lineup as a sophomore last winter. He averaged 6.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks. Carlson was the seventh-leading shot-blocker in the AAC with 32 rejections. Carlson shot 57.4 percent from the field and scored in double-digits six times.

Junior Pip Korent saw action in 10 games during the second half of the 2022-23 season. He averaged 8.9 points and 4.5 rebounds as a freshman. Last season he averaged 5.0 points and 2.7 rebounds off the Buffs' bench. His best effort came in the AAC Tournament against Truett McConnell when he had 12 points in 17 minutes.

Senior center Julian Wilson set career highs across the board last season. The Texan appeared in 23 games and made five starts. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.3 rebounds. Wilson had three double-digit scoring games last January, including 18 points in a win over Kentucky Christian and 14 in a victory against Point.

Sophomore guard Lincoln Thomae appeared in the Buffs' starting lineup in the season opener at Cumberlands but suffered an injury and missed the rest of the season. Sophomore guard Jonny Attanasio was called up from Milligan's junior varsity squad during the season and made three appearances in the second semester last year.

Newcomers: The Buffs add seven newcomers to the roster for the 2023-24 season.

The Buffs welcome three transfers to the roster with graduate guard Follie Bogan (Lees-McRae) and sophomore guards Jaz Johnson (Mars Hill) and Luke Lentz (Anderson).

"Bogan brings us a toughness we haven't had in the last few years," said Robinson. "He is really hard to guard in the open floor and has a great mid-range game. He will also be one of our best on-ball defenders. Johnson is a strong player that can play multiple positions. He has the ability to knock down the open three and is a great decision-maker. Lentz is an explosive shooter with the ability to make contested shots. He has NBA range that will stretch the defense and give our post players more room inside to operate."

Four freshmen complete Milligan's incoming class with freshman guards Grant Hensley and Bennett Bowers and forwards Jay Richmond and McCaskill Rivers.

"Rivers has been the most impressive newcomer in the post," said Robinson. "He knows how to use his body inside to create offensive opportunities. He can also step and make open three-points shots. Richmond is a super athletic freshman who will provide energy and depth at the forward positions. Hensley is a great shooter who has missed most of the fall with a broken hand. Bowers will compete for minutes as the backup point guard."

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

"I really like our schedule," said Robinson. "Twenty-four conference games is tough, and we must be ready to play from day one. Three road contests against NCAA DII opponents will help us adjust to the speed and athleticism we will see in the AAC."

The Buffs are slated to play NCAA Division I Middle Tennessee State in an exhibition on Nov. 18. Milligan collides with NCAA Division II squads Carson-Newman (Nov. 27) and Trevecca Nazarene (Dec. 30) during the season.

"Our guys always love to play NCAA Division I opponents, and MTSU is one of my favorite places to play," said Robinson. "It's always a great atmosphere, and personally, I love playing on the same floor where my daughter won a high school state championship."

Milligan is set to play at THE SHOW at the MeadowView Marriott in Kingsport on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Buffs return to the MeadowView Marriott Feb. 28-March 2 for the AAC Tournament.

"THE SHOW will be a great weekend to see where we match up against some of the top NAIA schools from around the country," said Robinson. "Playing at the MeadowView Conference Center allows us to get more familiar with our conference tournament venue."

Last Word: "Our season goals don't change much from year to year," said Robinson. "We want to advance to the national tournament. It's been a while since we have been there, and everyone is hungry to return to that level. With only five guys returning from last season, learning how to play together will be crucial. This team is more talented, bigger, and athletic than last year. Practices have been more competitive, and this group is really focused on winning."