The Notre Dame College Falcons open up the 2021 Men's Basketball season on Thursday night when they head to West Liberty to take on the eighth ranked Hilltoppers inside the Athletic Sport and Recreational Center "ASRC." Tip time is slated for 7:30 PM. You can catch all the action at NotreDameFalcons.com The game will be the first of a 16 game conference only schedule for the Falcons. No fans are permitted.
NDC Coach Mark Richmond talked about looking forward to competing:
" We are looking forward to getting out there, and competing. Our guys have done a good job the last 4-5 months since we came back of taking care of each other, and being smart, Richmond stated."
NDC finished last season with a record of 9-20 and 7-15 in the MEC. They averaged 77.0 ppg on the season, while they gave up 79.7 per contest. Jordan Burton is the lone returning starter, as he averaged 9.7 points, and 3.5 assists per night.
Richmond talked about the experience that Burton gained, and some challenges he had last season:
" Jordan was "thrown into the fire" last season. He grew up really quickly. It was a bumpy road at times, but he gained some valuable experience."
Dae John Walker-Bey had an impact last season as well as he scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds per night before going down with an injury.
Richmond talked about his returning big man:
" DB helped us a lot early last year before he went down with an unfortunate injury. He is back to 100 percent now, and we are looking forward to having him back on the court to start the year."
Richmond also talked about Jordan Roland not playing in games, but still being a returnee:
" Jordan practiced everyday last year. He knows our stuff better than anyone. He is a dynamic playmaker that I expect to make an impact right away."
Elijah Barnett was the next player Richmond talked about:
" Elijah is a guy who we are counting on to rebound, and get us out in transition."
When speaking of the new guys this year, here were the thoughts of Richmond:
" We have had some really good practices and as the season moves along we will figure out when and how much, some of these guys will play."
West Liberty comes in as the three time defending MEC Champs. They return all five starters from last season's squad that went 27-4 and 19-3 in the MEC. The Hilltoppers averaged 102 points a game, and made 11.7 3-pointer's per contest a season ago. Will Yoakum led the team in scoring at 18.7 points per game- Dalton Bolon netted 18.5 points per contest- and- hauled in a team leading 8.7 rebounds per night. Pat Robinson scored 18 points per contest- and- Marlon Moore chipped in 10.2 points per night.
Richmond talked about playing West Liberty right out of the gate:
" It is a very unique season, and playing West Liberty right out of the gate is a challenge anyways. We look forward to the challenge though. Even more so this year not having any scrimmages or exhibition games."
The last time these two teams met was on February 26th with the Hilltoppers coming out on top 86-72.
Richmond gave his final thought:
"We are really looking forward to getting out there and competing. I really like the depth we have. It should be a fun season."
Other MEC Games Thursday:
Frostburg State @Davis&Elkins
Concord@Charleston
Glenville State @ West Virginia State
Fairmont State @ West Virginia Wesleyan
Alderson Broaddus @ Wheeling
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