NASHVILLE – After months of uncertainty, Trevecca Nazarene University's Men's Basketball team is finally set to tip off the 2020-2021 season on Thursday with a road matchup at Findlay, the predicted winners of the Great Midwest this season. 

Great Midwest season preview 

As Omar Mance enters his third season as Trevecca's head coach, he is looking to build on last year's ninth-place finish in conference play. The Trojans ended the year on a good note, with a four-game winning streak. 

"We know we play in one of the toughest leagues in DII," Mance said. "We will have to earn a higher ranking and it starts with opening week, playing the two top teams from last season – Findlay and Hillsdale – and then the team that won the tournament – Walsh – in week two at the Trojan Fieldhouse."

2019-2020 RECAP

Trevecca improved their win total by two but ended the season showing promise of what is to come this season. The team finished 6-21 and with a four-game win streak. With key returners and promising newcomers, the Trojans are looking to move up the Great Midwest standings in 2020-2021.  

The Trojans first win came early against Tiffin University, but it wasn't until facing Lake Erie College that Mance's unit would find the win column again. The Trojans, who played a nationally ranked non-conference schedule, began to put the experience together. The Trojans pushed Findlay to the limit with a tough overtime loss at home, but the payoff came over the next four games – all wins.   

Three of those wins were on the road – at Alderson Broaddus, Ohio Valley, and Ohio Dominican. In each case, the Trojans erased an earlier season loss. Trevecca also defeated Kentucky Wesleyan at Trojan Fieldhouse on Senior Day.  

Adam Webb, a 7-foot-2 rising senior, was a key to the run late in the season. The NCAA Division I transfer from Stetson University earned Great Midwest All-Defensive team honors.  

Webb, who averaged eight points and four rebounds this year, is the first Trojan to be recognized by the conference since Devin Whitfield was named to the G-MAC second team following the 2017-18 campaign.  

Adam Webb, over the last six games of the season, averaged 15.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks per game, while shooting 58.7% (37-63) from the field and 88.9% (16-18) from the foul line. 

Here's a glance at Webb's statistics from the first 19 games in comparison to his totals over the last six games of the season. Also, a contrast to his production against these last six opponents the first time met them this season.   

Adam Webb Season Stats Analysis

Trevecca Men's Basketball Late Season Surge Stats Analysis

2020-2021 OUTLOOK

There are eight new freshmen and two transfers on the roster this season, giving increased promise with the eight key returnees.   

2020-2021 Great Midwest Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

Presented by Under Armour

1. Findlay - 90 Points (3 first-place votes)

2. Cedarville - 89 Points (3 first-place votes)

3. Hillsdale - 87 Points (4 first-place votes)

4. Walsh - 78 Points (1 first-place vote)

5. Kentucky Wesleyan - 66 Points

6. Malone - 54 Points

7. Lake Erie - 41 Points

8. Ohio Dominican - 33 Points

9. Trevecca Nazarene - 29 Points

10. Tiffin - 25 Points

11. Ohio Valley - 13 Points 

CHASING RECORDS:

Adam Webb turned back 45 shots (1.8 bpg) last season, the second-most in the Great Midwest, set a new NCAA era record. Webb swatted five more than JP Nyadaro (40) rejected during the 2011-2012 season (in nine more games played than Webb had).   

Webb will try to add to that total and looks to have help pushing the team blocks record with new 7-2 post player Brenden Newton and 6-11 freshmen Caleb Terry.

The NCAA era team record for blocks in a season is 119. 

Austin Wills returns as the leading scorer, averaging 11.2 points per game and draining 42.5% from three-point range. Wills added 74 made three-pointers, nearly twice as many as any other Trojan. 

For his career, Wills has 170 made three-pointers and has scored 694 points. Wills needs 47 made three-pointers to set the NCAA era record. 

Chris Rogers added 10.7 points per game and 36% from deep and 93% from the foul line.

WHO'S NEW?

TRANFER INFUSION

RETURNING ROSTER

WHEN'S TIP-OFF?

The Trojans tip off the 2020-2021 season on the road for the first two games of the year in Great Midwest play. First, it's a matchup at Findlay – the predicted winners of the Great Midwest this season – on Thursday. Trevecca will follow that up by playing at Hillsdale on Saturday. Hillsdale was picked to finish third in the conference in the preseason coaches' poll. 

Trevecca will return to Trojan Fieldhouse next week for its home opener.

MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS

Visit Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com

Click for Live Stats / Live Video of home games

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