(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 9)--The McKendree University men's basketball team will tip off its 2011-12 season Thursday at home against Maryville University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The game can be heard live on the Bearcat Sports Network at www.mckbearcats.com and by clicking on the GameCentral link at the top of the home page.

McKendree gave its fans and followers one more memorable trip through the American Midwest Conference and the NAIA post-season in 2010-11. The Bearcats overcame injuries and a slow start to post a 21-13 overall record and grab a share of their fourth consecutive AMC regular-season title with a 12-2 conference mark. McKendree then went on to record an upset victory and reach the second round of its 15th and final appearance at the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship last March in Kansas City.
 
Head coach Harry Statham and his 2011-12 squad are ready to embark on a new journey this year as the Bearcat athletic program is in the midst of its transition towards NCAA Division II membership. Without the opportunity for post-season competition this season and in 2012-13, Statham and his staff have shifted the team goals in preparations for the Bearcats' entry into the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
 
“Our focus this year is to develop a mindset for what the competition in the GLVC will bring,” said Statham, who is beginning his 46th season as the Bearcats' head coach. “Our goals have always been defined -- to win conference and to get to the national tournament. The GLVC is an extremely competitive, very physical league. We want to work on playing with a more physical style of play, to be tougher and more aggressive on both ends of the floor. This really is a transition year in more ways than one, and I feel like our program is ready for that challenge.”
 
SENIORS
Of the four seniors on the 2011-12 roster, two of them were starters who saw a significant amount of playing time. Forward Sean Rakers (New Baden, IL/Wesclin) started the first 31 games in the post before suffering a season-ending knee injury prior to the AMC Tournament championship game last spring. Rakers was an NAIA honroable mention All-America choice and first-team All-Conference selection after averaging 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He tied for the team lead in rebounding and was second in scoring. Rakers also led the Bearcats in field goal percentage (.561) and blocked shots (36).
 
“Sean has rebounded nicely from the knee injury and came into the preseason ready to go,” said Statham. “He will be one of our co-captains this year and will provide great leadership both on and off the floor. We will count on him for scoring and rebounding down low once again. He plays with a great deal of intensity, and has really worked to improve his defense.”
 
Guard Karrington Pettiford (Florissant, MO/Christian Brothers) will serve as the other co-captain for McKendree in 2011-12. After missing the first three weeks of last season with a foot injury, Pettiford returned to play in 26 games, averaging 9.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per outing. Pettiford was third on the squad with 38 three-point field goals. After seeing playing time in each of the last two seasons primarily as a shooting guard, Statham says that Pettiford will see more action at point guard.
 
“Karrington came back strong from his early-season injury and really produced for us last year,” said Statham. “His primary role will be to play the point, but he's the type of player who can score consistently in that role. He's a three-point shooter who can also get to the rim quickly.”
 
Kyle Heckert (Venedy, IL/Okawville) appeared in 21 games in a reserve role at guard last season, averaging 2.2 points per game. Statham was impressed with Heckert's work in the off-season and believes the senior could surprise some folks in 2011-12.
 
“Kyle has consistently improved from his freshman season,” said Statham. “He has gotten bigger and stronger, and has really dedicated himself in the weight room. Kyle's an intelligent player who knows our system. He could be a sleeper for us.”
 
Rounding out the list of seniors is forward Ian Ridge (Flora, IL/Flora). Another player that battled the injury bug last year, Ridge averaged 2.3 points in 15 games with five starts a year ago.
 
“Ian is explosive to the basket,” said Statham. “He is confident in driving the lane and has shown the ability to score that way. He's also shown that he can hit the long-range shot. Ian is in his fourth year in the program and we are hoping he can step in and provide us with quality minutes.”
 
JUNIORS
McKendree has two juniors who were important contributors last season. Guard John Steppe (Effingham, IL/St. Anthony) battled through various injuries to register 7.4 points per contest. Steppe finished second on the squad in a trio of key statistical categories, including three-point field goals (43), assists (79) and free throw percentage (.766).
 
“John really played through some pain last year but continued to be productive,” said Statham. “When he is healthy, John is a steady, consistent player. We saw that in his freshman year. John is a tremendous three-point shooter and is another player who can drive to the basket. He is also solid at the (free throw) line. We're counting on him to be one of our main scorers this year.”
 
Forward David Ruckman (Freeburg, IL/Freeburg) came on strong in the second half last season for McKendree. Ruckman collected 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 54 percent from the floor. He stepped into the starting lineup following Rakers' injury and played a key role in the Bearcats' upset win over Southern Nazarene University in the opening round of the NAIA Tournament.
 
“Dave was a completely different player in the second half of last season,” said Statham. “His confidence level rose greatly, and it showed in his play on both ends of the floor. He was playing his best basketball at the end of the year. Dave is strong on the boards and is a good inside scorer. He and Sean have complemented each other very well in the pre-season, and we are confident that will extend into the regular season.”
 
SOPHOMORES
The sophomore trio of Garrett Gaffner (Breese, IL/Breese Central), Clinton Happe (Evansville, IN/F.J. Reitz) and Mike Springs (Waukegan, IL/Waukegan) was pressed into duty early and often during their freshman seasons in 2010-11. All three were important factors in the Bearcats' run to the AMC regular-season title.
 
Gaffner played in 28 games with two starts at forward for the Bearcats. He haveraged 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds while connecting on 53 percent of his shot attempts a year ago.
 
“Garrett made some early positive strides last year, and he continues to show improvement on a daily basis,” said Statham. “He's an intelligent player, but he's also loose and confident on the court. Garrett made some key shots in big games, and his free throw shooting was really clutch in game situations. He's worked hard in the pre-season on strength and footwork. We think Garrett can develop into a key player for us.”
 
Guard Clinton Happe (Evansville, IN/F.J. Reitz) had one start among his 27 appearances last year. Happe averaged just under five points per contest and led the Bearcats by shooting just under 44 percent from three-point range. He also made 76.2 percent of his free throw attempts.
 
“Clinton was very consistent from the perimeter and from the free throw line last season,” said Statham. “He's a great shooter and is a smart player who has done a good job in picking up our system. Clinton missed some time in the pre-season with an injury, but has rounded back into form. As his defense continues to improve, Clinton should see some quality time for us.”
 
Mike Springs (Waukegan, IL/Waukegan) served as the backup point guard last season to Andy Wolff (Centralia, Ill./Metro-East Lutheran), who became the Bearcats' career assist leader last year. Springs showed his talents for distributing the basketball as well, ending the year with 68 assists while collecting 30 steals, both of which were good for third on the team in 2010-11. Springs averaged just under two points per contest while playing in all 34 games as a freshman.
 
“Mike is a very strong, physical player,” said Statham of the 5-foot-10 Springs. “He has a great basketball I.Q. as well and knows how to play the game. Mike brings high energy and enthusiasm to the basketball court and gives us another gear. He's also a good communicator on the court. Mike's shooting has improved greatly from his freshman season as well.”
 
FRESHMEN/REDSHIRTS
Statham and his staff have added three freshmen to the 2011-12 roster. Among the new faces for McKendree is Jake Hill, a 6-foot-3 guard/forward from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Hill spent last season at LaLumiere School in LaPorte, Ind., where he averaged nine points per game and shot 40 percent from three-point range.
 
Prior to his experience at LaLumiere, Hill excelled at Eastern Commerce High School in Toronto, where he helped the Saints to consecutive city championships.
 
“Jake is a very athletic player,” said Statham. “He is strong in taking the ball to the rim and jumps well. Jake is also a very good three-point shooter. We believe that Jake will be a steady scorer for us, and we're counting on him to be an important contributor.”
 
Tyler Edmondson (Aurora, IL/Waubonsie Valley) joins the McKendree program after earning letters in each of the last two years at Waubonsie Valley High School. The 6-foot-8 forward chipped in 18 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior for the Warriors.
 
“Tyler possesses great speed and quickness to the rim,” said Statham. “He is fast up and down the court and can jump as well. Tyler's combination of size and speed allow him to score in a variety of ways. He is also an excellent shot-blocker. Tyler will help solidify our team at forward.”
 
Rounding out the list of incoming freshman is forward Nick Schumacher (Sigel, IL/Teutopolis). As a senior at Teutopolis High School, Schumacher averaged 15 points and five rebounds per outing. He was an All-State and All-Conference selection for the Wooden Shoes.
 
“Nick has solid fundamental skills,” said Statham. “He is a good team player and has been soaking up our system well. He needs to build strength and is willing to work hard and improve on a daily basis.”
 
Two players will sit out the 2011-12 season as redshirt members of the McKendree men's basketball program. Guard Drew Dudek (Pinckneyville, IL/Pinckneyville) comes to Lebanon after spending last year at Lincoln Land Community College. Forward Brandon Drum averaged 11 points, six rebounds and five assists as a senior last season at Dunlap High School.
 
SCHEDULE
The Bearcats' 2011-12 schedule has a mix of familiar faces and new opponents. McKendree will open the year by hosting Maryville University, marking the first meeting with the Saints since the 2005-06 season. That Nov. 10 contest will mark the first of three straight home games over a three-day span for the Bearcats, with the first McKendree Classic wrapping up the busy weekend.
 
Among the familiar faces on the schedule include home-and-home meetings with Union University, Mid-Continent University and Lindenwood University. The Bearcats will also host traditional rival Olivet Nazarene University along with former AMC foe Missouri Baptist University. In addition to Maryville, McKendree will take on future GLVC rivals University of Missouri-St. Louis and University of Illinois at Springfield.
 
McKendree will play in a total of seven in-season classics in 2011-12. The Bearcats will have a pair of lengthy road trips, including a four-game, seven-day visit to Florida during the first week of January, and the season-ending Division II Vegas Showdown in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 25-26.