MEN’S BASKETBALL TRAVELS TO RV MADONNA FOR FIRST MATCHUP BETWEEN BOTH TEAMS

LIVONIA, Mich. - Men's Basketball (7-0, 2-0) will take on #RV Madonna (5-2, 2-0) at Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena on Wednesday night in what will be a big battle between two WHAC Championship hopefuls. Both teams are among the final three undefeated WHAC teams. 

THREE KEY THINGS

A CHANGING OF THE GUARD

The Crusaders enter this matchup with a new roster construction after graduating star big duo Mark Mettie and Henry Speight. The two were WHAC First Team All-Conference selections, along with forward Brendan Young, who currently leads the way for the Crusaders.

After utilizing their talented interior presence to achieve a 2022-23 WHAC Tournament Title, Madonna's guard play has headlined its 2023-24 season. Point guard Devin Dunn has had a great start to the new campaign, winning the latest WHAC Player of the Week award after an efficient 23-point performance against Cornerstone.

WARRIORS AIM TO AVENGE LOSSES FROM A YEAR AGO

Last season, the Crusaders gave Rochester all kinds of trouble, sweeping the season series. To add insult to injury, the Crusaders' second victory of the series was the largest in their favor in the matchup's history, 100-68, with Young scoring 34 points on eight made threes.

With both teams projected amongst the top of the conference standings, Rochester will look to get the better of Madonna on their home floor. The Warriors will be playing fresh off an exhibition loss to Grand Valley State on Monday night.

BENCHES SEEK TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE

In a contest filled with talent across both teams, bench play will be critical in this matchup. Both teams have had several players step up in contests earlier in the season to secure big wins.

For the Warriors, Brett White, Bralin Toney, and James Fisher have all had key performances to help the Warriors stay undefeated. On Madonna's side, Sho-Ran Graham and Ethan Emerzian are two crucial players in the Crusaders' rotation, stepping up in Madonna's upset win at #17 Huntington (Ind.).

COACHES' CORNER

Head Coach Klint Pleasant had this to say on the Crusaders and keys in Wednesday's game:

"They return so many talented guards, and they are among the top in the league when it comes to volume of three-point shots both attempted and made. Sometimes, you can play well and other teams can still hit tough shots.

Our focus will be on executing our plan to the best of our ability. And controlling the things that we can. Madonna is a very good team, and we will need to be dialed into our defensive assignments to have a chance, along with being shot-makers on the offensive end as well."

SPORTS INFORMATION SPOTLIGHT

Rochester's 7-0 start is its second-best since joining the NAIA in 2013. In the 2016-17 season, the Warriors began 9-0 en route to a 29-3 season.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Three teams in the conference - Rochester, Madonna, and #20 Lourdes - are undefeated. Tonight's matchup will knock down that number to two. Aquinas and Lawrence Tech are next in line, sitting at 2-1 in WHAC play.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Toby Buckheim - Buckheim's Photo & Film