WICHITA, Kan. – Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, even the most optimistic Friends University men's basketball prognosticator couldn't have fathomed what was about to take place. In head coach Phil McClintock's second season at the helm, the Falcons skipped at least two phases of a normal rebuild and put together their best season in six years.
After being picked ninth and 10th in the KCAC Preseason Media and Coaches' polls, the Falcons promptly secured their most wins (24) since the 2018-19 season along with the team's first NAIA Postseason win since 2013-14 and a second-place KCAC finish that saw the team in the hunt for a regular season title up until the final day of the regular season.
Expectations are understandably higher in McClintock's third season, as the Falcons have been tabbed to finish second in the KCAC in both polls while receiving multiple first-place votes in each survey.
"I'm happy for the guys that they have gained some respect in the conference after a nice year last season," said Friends men's basketball head coach Phil McClintock. "The biggest talking point with us is how hard of a task it is to go from having low expectations to having a target on our back. We know it won't be easy but I'm confident we will be up to the task."
The Falcons lose KCAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and NAIA All-American KJ Spiller, but welcome back a slew of veterans that contributed heavily to last year's breakout season, highlighted by an All-KCAC trio of Randy Woolf, Jr., Cahlese Lee and Ringo Deng.
A third-team all-conference performer, Woolf, Jr. was an across-the-board contributor with averages of 11.1 points per game, 4.6 rebounds and a team-leading 3.9 assists.
Lee and Deng were each honorable-mention selections, with Lee ranking second on the team in points (12.3 ppg) and shooting a team-high 41.2 percent (75-of-182) from three-point distance and Deng scoring 10.2 ppg along with a team-high 6.1 rebounds a night.
Collin Maclin should also have a viable role after averaging just shy of double-figure scoring (9.5 ppg) along with 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists last year.
"We are really excited to have three all-conference players returning," said McClintock. "These guys have been through the gauntlet of the KCAC and know what it takes to win. I'd also add Collin to this list as he has been with us for two years and has been a huge part of what we've done and is set for a big season."
Al Emerllahu and Dannon Lundy are a couple more returners that will factor heavily in the rotation, while Owen Evans, Will Mays, Jackson Swartz, Kevin Brown, Mason Anderson and Koen Hula also figure to vie for minutes this season. Evans in particular showed flashes of becoming a threat from long range, hitting 17-of-49 from three-point distance.
"We do have a few other guys with experience that we expect to help us this year," noted McClintock. "Al and Dannon off the bench have experience and we expect them to make even more contributions this year at the big spot. Jackson and Owen both played spot minutes last year and we expect them to make big contributions this season as well."
The Falcons will clearly lean heavily on experience this year, but McClintock has brought in a trio of newcomers that are anticipated to make an immediate impact in the 2025-26 season.
"The three newcomers we are expecting to make impacts for us are Devin Davis, Eli Benning and Dume Akemetu," said McClintock. "Devin is a physical guard who can score the ball. Eli is a true freshman from Wichita Northwest who has impressed early and we expect big things from him at the PG spot. Dume is a physical forward who is an exceptional defender who will also help around the rim."
Before the start of KCAC play, the Falcons will have faced four teams ranked in last season's final NAIA Top 25 Coaches' poll, starting with Northwestern (Iowa) at home tomorrow (Oct. 25) inside the Garvey Center. Friends also plays at Baker and will face both Dordt and William Woods at the Ottawa Classic before opening conference action at home on Nov. 15 vs. Evangel.
"We are excited about our non-conference schedule," said McClintock. "We have four of our six non-conference games against national tournament teams from last year. This schedule will help playing against top competition and will hopefully get us prepared for the brutal KCAC schedule, along with helping to improve our RPI."
