For the first time in 20 years, there will be a new head coach on the sidelines as Matt Moore takes over the reins from Scott Flemming, who stepped down to become the school’s first full-time athletic director after compiling a 397-226 overall record in 19 years with the Cougars. Meanwhile, Moore comes to MVNU after spending four years as the top assistant at Grace (Ind.) College where he helped to guide the Lancers to a 95-44 record and back-to-back trips to the NAIA Division II National Tournament Elite Eight.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join an institution like MVNU,” said Moore. "Our goal first and foremost is to use the game of basketball as a platform to glorify Jesus Christ. We want teams, players, fans, and others to leave our games and say, ‘I like the way Mount Vernon plays.’ We will strive to continue the excellence of the men’s basketball program and pursue a conference championship.”

"I am excited about our new coaching staff,” Moore added referring to Andrew Thompson, Scott Moore, and Andy Francis, who will all join him on the bench guiding the team. "I feel like we have a great mix of playing experience and coaching diversity. All four of us care deeply about MVNU basketball and the mission of the university.”

In addition to a new coaching staff, the Cougars will also look to replace five seniors who graduated after posting a 98-33 record the past four years with four straight trips to the NAIA Division II National Tournament. That quintet also compiled 5,382 points, 1,456 rebounds, and 865 three-pointers.

Sophomore Robbie Taylor, junior Brandon Short, senior Jonathan Gurney, and junior Brady Swanson will be the primary ball-handlers for MVNU at the guard position. Taylor averaged 4.7 points and handed out 48 assists as he earned a spot on the American Mideast Conference All-Freshmen Team last year, while Short averaged 7.2 points and 2.8 rebounds while leading the team with 49 steals a year ago. Gurney returns to the team after playing in 17 games off the bench in 2007-2008, while Swanson will join the Cougars for the first time when he wraps up his fourth season as a standout defender on the MVNU men’s soccer team.

"We will depend on Robbie a lot to run our team and I think he could develop into a great leader as he progresses through the season,” said Moore. "Brandon has the ability to be a special player on our team and in our conference. He has a high level of athleticism with the ability to score in bunches. We will also rely on him to be one of our key defensive stoppers. Jonathan is a solid back-up who knows how to pressure the ball and create for others. Brady will quickly make our team better when he joins us. He is one of the most unselfish players we have and makes those around him shine.”

On the wing, seniors Travis Brown and Austin Kaiser along with freshman Ben Severns will all be key contributors for the Cougars. Brown played in all 32 games last year with four starts and averaged 6.2 points and 2.5 rebounds. Meanwhile, Kaiser transfers to MVNU after scoring nearly 700 points in three seasons at Grace to go with 142 career steals and 161 assists. Severns will also join the program after earning Ohio Capital Conference First Team honors at Mount Vernon High School.

"We are excited about the different styles of play these three guys can bring to our team,” said Moore. "Travis is one of our smartest players and a tri-captain for this season. I think he can be one of our most dependable players in our rotation, and he is one of our hardest workers. Austin has the ability to be the best player on the floor at both ends. He is an outstanding free throw shooter with a unique ability to finish around the basket. Ben is our deep threat. He has already earned the nickname ‘Splash’ because of his range and shooting ability.”

In the post, the Cougars will rely on their most experienced returning player as senior Bryce Sanborn returns after starting 30 of the team’s 32 games last year and averaging 6.3 points and 6.2 rebounds. Junior Adam Grimm (4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds) and sophomore Scott Hilbert (2.4 points and 1.2 rebounds) will both be counted upon to step up their games with additional minutes, while sophomore Jordan Heatherly and senior Kyle Harden will figure into the playing equation as well in their first season on the team.

"Bryce will be a centerpiece of our success,” said Moore. "If we can get him the ball in a position to score one-on-one, he will have an outstanding season. He is our most physical player and does everything we ask of him. Adam is one of our most talented and exciting players to watch. He plays above the rim and can run the floor as well as anyone in the country. If he can add dimensions to his game around the basket, he could be a tough match-up for anyone we play.”

"Scott, Jordan, and Kyle all share a common trait in their work ethic and coachability,” Moore added. "Scott will battle with anyone we match him up against and he is our glue off the court. Jordan has made tremendous strides in his game over the past two months. He is one of the quickest jumpers and a great shot blocker for his size. He will be a huge asset for our team once we get in conference play. Kyle has earned the respect of his peers with his heady play and ability to step outside and hit the three. He will find his way into games because he is a winner.”

While this year’s MVNU roster may lack returning players with lots of accolades and college experience, Moore is excited about the prospects of the upcoming season.

"We possess a great chemistry this year and I think that is something that will help us as we get into conference play,” said Moore. "Our players and coaches really enjoy being around one another and we value competition. We are extremely athletic and I feel that we will be able to play an exciting style of basketball as the season progresses. One of our greatest strengths is our diversity at each position. We have a lot of players with great one-on-one ability along with an unselfish mindset. If we are able to make the extra pass or the simple play, I think we could have a fun season.”

"There are four areas that will be vital for us,” Moore continued. "We need to win the turnover battle and have a low percent of error in games. We need to out-rebound our opponents both offensively for second-chance opportunities and also defensively. We need to be able to score in transition. We would like to push the ball whenever the opportunity presents itself. Finally, we need to be able to finish plays. Whether taking it to the basket or at the free throw line, we must be efficient on offense.”

The Cougars will get their season under way on November 7 with a non-conference game at 3:00 p.m. at Indiana Institute of Technology, which is one of the team’s 11 games this year against teams ranked or receiving votes in national preseason polls. After another away game at Ohio Christian University on November 10, MVNU will play its home opener on November 13 when the team hosts Asbury (Ky.) College in the annual Homecoming game at 8:00 p.m. Other non-conference games on the schedule include a home and away series with the University of Michigan-Dearborn, a home game with NCAA Division II Ashland University, and a pair of games at the annual A+ Autobrokers Holiday Invitational, and five road games in December that include at NCAA Division II Northern Kentucky University, who received preseason votes, at the University of Rio Grande, and at NAIA Division II No. 17 Warner (Fla.) University.

The rugged AMC schedule now has the teams back in divisions this year with the Cougars picked to finish fourth in the AMC South Division that will feature home and away games against the other five teams in the division and single games against the six teams in the other division for a 16-game conference slate. NAIA Division II No. 6 Walsh University is the AMC South Division preseason pick to repeat, while last year’s AMC co-champion Cedarville University, who is ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll, was picked to finish as the runner-up. MVNU will also play two games each against the University of Northwestern Ohio (receiving votes), Shawnee State University, and Wilberforce University, while the Cougars will play Daemen (N.Y.) College (receiving votes), Notre Dame College (receiving votes), Malone University, Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College, Houghton (N.Y.) College, and Point Park (Pa.) University one time each.

"Our non-conference schedule this year will be valuable in preparing us for the AMC slate,” said Moore. "We play five teams outside of conference who won over 20 games each last year and four of those games will be on the road. I think it will only make us better if we are able to go on the road in tough environments and play our style of basketball.”

"The conference schedule is always challenging and there is not a night that we cannot bring our best,” Moore added. "The month of January is an important month for us with nine games including five straight against teams ranked or receiving votes in the preseason poll with the opportunity to play two nationally-ranked opponents at home.”