MVNU, which is ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Division II preseason poll and was the preseason pick by the American Mideast Conference coaches to win the AMC title, is coming off a 23-8 campaign in which the Cougars advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament for the third straight year while also topping the 20-win mark for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.

"This is a veteran team with five seniors,” said MVNU coach Scott Flemming, who enters his 19th season at his alma mater with an impressive 374-217 record at the helm. "Last year was somewhat of a surprise season with the success we had and qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament. Expectations will be higher this year. As always, chemistry and injuries will dictate how strong of a season we will have.”

The Cougars return four starters from last year’s squad and five of that team’s top six scorers. Leading the way is two-time NAIA Division II First Team All-American Ben Falkenberg, who will be looking to cap off an already outstanding career with a strong final season. The senior guard averaged an AMC-leading 21.5 points, handed out a career-high 111 assists, and ranked second in the nation in free throw percentage (.917) and fourth in three-pointers made per game (4.1). Falkenberg will enter the season with 1,997 career points - well within striking distance of the school’s career mark of 2,338 points set by former MVNU standout Phil Argento.

"Ben is one of the top guards in the country at our level,” said Flemming. "He has worked hard to improve his all-around game. His greatest asset is being able to create a shot for himself and his teammates.”

Senior forward Jadin Thomas returns after a strong first season at MVNU after transferring in. He averaged 15.7 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds while leading the team in double-doubles (9) and blocked shots (56) on the way to being selected to the AMC South Division Second Team and tabbed as the AMC South Division Newcomer of the Year.

"Jadin is a very talented and versatile player,” said Flemming. "He had a great year last year and I expect him to be strong on both ends of the floor again this year. Ben and Jadin give us a great one-two punch and they are two of the best players in the NAIA.”

Senior guard Dan Borcherdt returns to the starting lineup after averaging 11.0 points and handing out a career-high 129 assists. He also nailed 74 three-pointers and shot .875 from the free throw line to earn AMC South Division Honorable Mention status.

"Dan is one of the purest shooters we have had at MVNU,” said Flemming. "He also does a great job of running the team when he plays the point.”

Andy Francis and Matt McKinley round out the group of seniors. Francis, a guard/forward, started 30 of the team’s 31 games last year and averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds - both career highs. Meanwhile, McKinley, a forward, played in 29 games and averaged 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting .571 from three-point range.

"Andy is the kind of blue collar player that every team needs,” said Flemming. "He is a strong leader and is willing to do whatever is asked of him. Matt plays much bigger than his size. Although he is an undersized post, he is very efficient inside. He can also keep defenders honest with his perimeter shot.”

Junior post Bryce Sanborn will be called upon to contribute in the starting lineup after coming off the bench in his previous two seasons. Sanborn played in all 31 games as a sophomore and averaged 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds.

"Bryce improved greatly last year and he will need to take his play up another level this season,” said Flemming. "He is a strong rebounder and defender, and we anticipate that he will be more productive on the offensive end.”

Sophomore guard Brandon Short will look to have a more significant role after a solid freshman campaign. Short averaged 6.3 points and 2.8 rebounds on his way to being named the AMC South Division Freshman of the Year.

"Brandon had a significant role last year as a freshman,” said Flemming. "I now think that he is on his way to becoming one of the best players in our conference in the years ahead. He is a solid defender and he is explosive offensively.”

Junior guard/forward Travis Brown will join the team and make an immediate impact after transferring in from NCAA Division II Fairmont State (W.V.) University where he averaged 5.9 points and 2.8 rebounds during his sophomore season. Sophomore post Adam Grimm will also look to contribute down low for the Cougars after playing in 17 games a year ago.

Freshmen Robbie Taylor, Ian Quick, and Scott Hilbert will each look to contribute in their first year on the team. Taylor averaged 19.8 points as a senior guard at Gahanna Lincoln High School, Quick registered 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in his final year at Marysville High School, and Hilbert tallied 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest as a senior at Jonathan Alder High School.

"We have several proven players and a number of others who will now receive an opportunity to play a significant role,” said Flemming. "A real key to our season will be the contribution by our post players. They have all had limited playing time up to this point. I like this team and I believe the leadership we have will make a positive impact on our season.”

The Cougars will open the season on the road on November 11 at Cincinnati Christian University at 7:00 p.m. Then, the team will return home for the annual Homecoming weekend with games against Berea (Ky.) College and a non-conference game against the University of Northwestern Ohio. Other non-conference games will include NCAA Division II Ashland University and county rival Kenyon College. MVNU will also compete in the North Central (Ill.) College Tournament and will play on the road at Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) College and Oklahoma Wesleyan University, who is ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Division II preseason poll.

The rugged AMC schedule will now include one game against each conference member with No. 7 Cedarville University, No. 11 Walsh University, and Ohio Dominican University (receiving votes) among the talented group of teams that make every night in conference play an important one. The Cougars will also play Cedarville, Shawnee State University, and the University of Rio Grande one time each in non-conference action.

As always, the goal for this season would be a return trip to the NAIA Division II National Tournament. The program has made seven trips overall and three straight and each of the last two trips has resulted in losing to the eventual national champion in a one-possession game. Over the next five months, it will take lots of hard work and solid team play to accomplish that goal and that is exactly what MVNU will set out to do.