CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University men's basketball team is set to begin the 2024-25 season on Friday, Nov. 8 against the Magicians of LeMoyne-Owen College. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. in Memphis, Tenn.
The Statesmen are coming off a 17-12 season a year ago and 15-9 Gulf South Conference record. Delta State averaged 80.3 points per game and held opponents to 77.3 points per game.
Keithean Brooks, a 6-foot-4 guard, returns for the 2024-25 season after leading the Statesmen in scoring last year, averaging 18.1 points per game. The Walls native scored a season-high 35 points against Union (1.22.24) and was selected to the Preseason All-GSC Team early this month.
Chris Terrell also returns after finishing second in scoring and assists for Delta State last season, averaging 14.9 points per game and recording 109 assists. The 6-foot-0 guard tallied a team-best 79 steals.
Terrell expressed his excitement to showcase the hard work the team has put in during the off-season. "I feel that the upcoming season is going to be one that all Delta State fans will remember. The guys have a lot of potential, and I truly believe this squad is capable of going all the way. As a team, I expect nothing but the best as we are aiming to make an appearance at the NCAA tournament. It's going to be an amazing season!"
The Statesmen lost veteran guard
Lee Cotton and forward
Maalik Cartwright, who played their entire collegiate careers at Delta State, to graduation.
Head Coach
Mike Nienaber is optimistic about his squad this season. "Last year, we took a significant step in the right direction. I'm hopeful that we are ready to take another step forward and compete for a championship and the NCAA tournament."
The non-conference schedule features home games against LeMoyne-Owen, Kentucky Wesleyan, and Arkansas Monticello, with road games versus LeMoyne Owen, Lane College, and Ouachita Baptist. Conference begins with a road swing on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Union and Saturday, Dec. 7 at Christian Brothers.
The Statesmen were picked to finish fifth, tied with Valdosta, in the preseason GSC Coaches' Poll, as voted on by the head coaches in the league.
