INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For just the second time since joining the GLVC in 2013, the McKendree Bearcats have picked up a GLVC basketball major award. The program also has a unanimous All-GLVC First Team selection for his outstanding season.
Senior guard/forward Caleb Zurliene brings home the second major award in program history as the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year. The 6 foot-8 forward from Aviston, Illinois lead the GLVC in blocks with 75, surpassing his total from last year of 74. He is also second in Active Career Leaders for Division II in blocks with 200. Zurliene tied for the second-most blocks in a single game with 6, as he did at Rockhurst (Nov. 30) and at Southwest Baptist (Feb. 15). On top of being able to alter shots, he was able to register 20 steals.
"Caleb has had a terrific season and has been one of the best shot blockers not just in the league but in the entire country," said head coach George Suggs on Zurliene's season. "Being chosen as the Defensive Player of the Year is a credit to his abilities and hard work all season long."
Not only was Zurliene recognized on the defensive end, he was also awarded All-GLVC Second Team. He averaged 13.6 points per game, while shooting 53.4% from the field and 85% from the free throw line. Throughout the season, starting in all 27 games, the Aviston, Illinois native posted three double-doubles and had a season high 28 points on Jan. 13th at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
The unanimous All-GLVC First Team Selection from your Bearcats is junior forward Milos Vicentic. The Belgrade, Serbia native averaged 21.8 points per game this season to rank him 2nd in the league. He ranked third in the league for field goal percentage at 53.1% while converting 226. The 558 points and 226 field goals made are new D2 era single season records for the Bearcat program. Vicentic started in all 27 games for the team this season, averaging 33.5 minutes per game. He posted a conference-high 41 points against the University of Illinois-Springfield in a triple overtime win on February 10th.
"Milos is very deserving of First-Team ALL GLVC honors," said Suggs. "He has worked incredibly hard between the end of last season and now and put himself in position to be one of the best players in the league. He is a joy to coach and has earned this recognition."
Junior guard Joey Niesman was selected as McKendree's recipient of the James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award. The 14 student-athletes named to the James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Team earned the honor because they have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior during the 2023-24 season. The individuals named must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. The honorees are now eligible to become one of their school's two Spalding Sportsmanship Award winners, which will be announced at the end of the 2023-24 academic year.
