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Men's Basketball Athletic Communications

Hatters Open Season Wednesday, Host Johnson

Stetson men's basketball opens the 2018-19 season on Wednesday when the Hatters welcome Johnson University to the Edmunds Center for a 7 p.m., tipoff.
 
This latest version of Stetson men's basketball will look a lot different than the past several seasons. Gone are veterans like all-time leading scorer Divine Myles, all-time assists leader Angel Rivera, and all-time three-pointer shooter Luke Doyle. In their place is a cast of relatively inexperienced returnees and several brand new faces, a combination which creates cautious optimism for head coach Corey Williams.
 
"We had a good summer and guys are really working hard," Williams, now in his sixth season, said recently. "We make a lot of mistakes right now, but they are going hard. Every day we're getting better. I'm excited to see what this team does. For me, it's been a lot of fun coaching them so far."
 
And also new this season is a combination of energy and enthusiasm, speed and athleticism, and a toughness which should make the latest edition of Stetson men's basketball one of the most exciting in years.
 
"Our team speed is a major strength," Williams said. "Our ability to shoot the ball is impressive, too. We've got a plethora of guys who can shoot the ball. Our toughness will be a strength. We've got some guys who are extremely tough. We're not a soft team. We're already pretty tough-minded."
 
Among the returnees, only sophomore forward Abayomi Iyiola started any games last season. An ASUN Conference All-Freshman team selection a year ago and a preseason all-conference pick this fall, Iyiola started eight games last year and averaged 10.1 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds per game.
 
Also returning is senior Leo Goodman, who in 90 career games has averaged 6.2 points and shot 34.4 percent from 3-point range. Sophomores Kenny Aninye, Christiaan Jones, Keith Matthews, and Raine McKeython also return. That quartet provided solid support last season as freshmen, but more will be expected of them this season. The same can be said of Iyiola, who goes by the nickname Baybe.
 
"Kenny, Keith, Christiaan, and Raine will play important roles this season," Williams said. "Those guys have gotten better with their skills and they understand how to play and the level of expectation that we have. Baybe just plays all out, all the time. Sometimes it gets him in trouble because he plays so fast. The great thing about him is that he's receptive to anything you say."
 
Other returnees to watch include redshirt sophomore Clay Verk and redshirt junior Rickey Gouety, both of whom missed last season with injuries. Adam Webb, Stetson's 7-foot, 2-inch sophomore center has made impressive strides since the end of his freshman year.

"The growth Adam has made since last season is something people will notice," Williams said of the tallest player in program history. "His size and length on the defensive end really impacts the game. He's skilled offensively, too. We just have to find ways to get him the ball in places where he can be successful."
 
Stetson's four newcomers will need to step up right away to help the Hatters get off to a strong start, especially junior college transfers Ricardo Lynch, Jahlil Rawley and Marques Sumner. Lynch is an athletic 6-foot-7 wing player with a deft shooting touch. Rawley, a point guard, is perhaps the most athletic recruit in Williams' six seasons in DeLand. And Sumner is a potentially explosive scorer at two-guard.
 
"We realized during recruiting that we needed a scorer, a combo forward who is athletic and can shoot the ball, and another point guard to go with Kenny (Aninye)," Williams said. "We were able to do all of those things. Those three guys are tough-minded and bring a lot to the table. They've been very coachable so far. They still have to adjust to the Division I level, but we're glad to have them."
 
Freshman Jalen Crutchfield will have an opportunity to make an impact because of his ability to shoot the ball. The Norman, Okla., product is the son of a college coach and brings intelligence and awareness about the game to the table as well.
 
"Jalen shoots it about as well as anyone," Williams said. "He doesn't make many mistakes because he doesn't try to do things that he knows he can't do. I'm really excited about him."
 
With all of the new faces and new roles, Williams said he won't be surprised if the Hatters are a lot better in January and February then they are in November and December.
 
"The more games we play and the more experience we get, it will bode well for us down the line," Williams said. "Right now we're still trying to figure it out. That's why these games early are so important. You get a chance to see what your guys are made of. Every single night we have to be ready to play. By January, I think we'll be ready to rock and roll. That's what we're building for. We're building for conference play."
 
But before the Hatters get to ASUN Conference play, they'll have to manage a non-conference schedule which, upon closer inspection, is deceptively strong. It's obvious the challenges teams like Duke and USC will present. But other teams will also test the Hatters.
 
Southeastern Louisiana won 22 games last year and played in the NIT. Robert Morris is a perennial challenger in the Northeast Conference and last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2015, and UNC Asheville won the Big South regular-season title a season ago.
 
Throw in local heavyweights UCF and USF, plus a rejuvenated Bethune-Cookman, and the Hatters will have their hands full.
 
"When I look at our schedule I think, 'why did I make it so tough?', Williams said with a laugh. "People don't understand how good this schedule is."
 
Stetson fans will get to find out for themselves starting on Wednesday. For ticket information, call (386) 738-HATS.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Luke Doyle

#33 Luke Doyle

G
6' 5"
Senior
Divine Myles

#4 Divine Myles

G
5' 11"
Senior
Angel Rivera

#5 Angel Rivera

G
5' 8"
Senior
Kenny Aninye

#10 Kenny Aninye

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Abayomi Iyiola

#23 Abayomi Iyiola

F
6' 9"
Sophomore
Christiaan Jones

#0 Christiaan Jones

G
6' 4"
Sophomore
Keith Matthews

#1 Keith Matthews

G/F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Raine McKeython

#2 Raine McKeython

G
6' 1"
Sophomore
Clay Verk

#15 Clay Verk

F
6' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Adam Webb

#32 Adam Webb

C
7' 2"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Luke Doyle

#33 Luke Doyle

6' 5"
Senior
G
Divine Myles

#4 Divine Myles

5' 11"
Senior
G
Angel Rivera

#5 Angel Rivera

5' 8"
Senior
G
Kenny Aninye

#10 Kenny Aninye

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Abayomi Iyiola

#23 Abayomi Iyiola

6' 9"
Sophomore
F
Christiaan Jones

#0 Christiaan Jones

6' 4"
Sophomore
G
Keith Matthews

#1 Keith Matthews

6' 7"
Sophomore
G/F
Raine McKeython

#2 Raine McKeython

6' 1"
Sophomore
G
Clay Verk

#15 Clay Verk

6' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Adam Webb

#32 Adam Webb

7' 2"
Sophomore
C