WILMINGTON, Ohio - The Wilmington College men's basketball team looks to rebound from a defeat in its season opener when Olivet College comes to Hermann Court for a non-conference contest on Monday. Tip-off from Fred Raizk Arena is slated for 6 p.m.
The Teams: Wilmington and Olivet. The Fightin' Quakers fell to Mount St. Joseph University 65-60 in the season-opener for WC last Wednesday. The Comets, who will be competing for the first time this season on Monday, completed the 2020-21 COVID-19-altered season with a 2-16 record.
The Coaches: K.C. Hunt is in his 15th season as head coach of Wilmington's men's basketball program. Hunt, who has coached two All-Americans and seven of the school's 1,000-point scorers, led the Quakers to OAC Tournament titles in 2010 and 2014. He garnered Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year honors for guiding Wilmington to OAC Tournament title and a win in the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2010. Sam Hargraves, who was named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year in 2016 after guiding Alma College to an Elite Eight appearance, is in his third season as Olivet's head coach.
The Players: Jeffery Mansfield, a two-time First Team All-OAC selection, scored 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists in the first game of his senior season against MSJ. Bilal Sow was the other Fightin' Quaker to finish in double figures, pouring in 16 points in 27 minutes played. Fellow sophomore Jayden Louis hit three triples off the bench. Olivet's top scorer from a season ago, Eddie Thigpen, looks to build upon a 13.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game average in 2020-21.
Tale of the Tape (2020-21 for Olivet): Points per game – Wilmington 60.0, Olivet 70.9, opponents' points per game – Wilmington 65.0, Olivet 88.8, field goal percentage – Wilmington 41.5, Olivet 40.8; three-point percentage – Wilmington 23.1, Olivet 29.9; free throw percentage – Wilmington 58.8, Olivet 65.0; rebounds per game – Wilmington 25.0, Olivet 35.5; assist-to-turnover ratio – Wilmington 1.71, Olivet, 0.85.
Recent History: Wilmington is 1-2-0 against Olivet since the 1995 season. The Quakers won the last meeting, 69-67 on Dec. 18, 2019, but the Comets claimed victory the last time the two teams met at Hermann Court, 91-69 on Nov. 23, 2002. More information on the series history can be viewed by visiting the link above.
COVID-19 Precautions: Facial coverings and social distancing are required for spectators. Additionally, signage will be throughout Hermann Court for designated seating areas.
Coverage: Live statistics and live video of both games will be available – visit the links above.
Social Media: Wilmington athletics is represented on Facebook (Wilmington College Athletics), Twitter (@DubCQuakers) and Instagram (@DubCQuakers). Follow all the happenings of Wilmington College on social media by using the hashtag "#WeAreDubC".
Up Next: Wilmington heads to the 2021 Great Lakes Invitational hosted by fellow OAC member Marietta College this weekend.
