Wildcats Open Season Friday in Ken Woods Memorial
MARIETTA, Ga. – The Bethel University Wildcats open their season Friday in Marietta, Georgia playing in the Ken Woods Memorial.
The Cats meet New College of Florida Friday at 4 p.m. CT.
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grrHWjPebAc
Bethel will face Columbia International Saturday morning at 11 a.m. CT.
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dgJftsb3EI
Life University is the host school.
Cats Open Season Friday in Marietta
2023-24 Season Preview
The 2023-24 Bethel University Wildcat Men's Basketball team will have a familiar look as the Cats return 12 players from last year's squad. After a strong start to the season with several quality wins against ranked opponents the young Wildcats added one more season of experience under their belt.
Bethel's roster will feature three seniors. The roster will have several new faces.
As always, it will not be an easy road with the teams in the Mid-South Conference, which is recognized as one of the best in the nation. The team has the potential to get the Wildcats back in the upper half of the conference and work their way into a NAIA National Tournament berth.
All-Conference performer 6'3 senior Querrion Gadson returns after averaging 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds last year.
Hayden Thomas, a 6'4 redshirt senior returns. Thomas sat out much of last year due to injuries.
Juniors, 6'2 Jose Nazario (8.3/3.2), 6'2 Tyler Neely (10.4/3.8), 6'6 Yassine Zlitni (5.0/3.32), 6'8 Brennon Marsh (3.7/5.0), 6'2 Conner Guthrie (9.9/3.4), and 6'8 Akeyse Rice (1.0/2.4) all are back.
Sophomores, 5'10 Gavin Thompson (1.7/0.6), and 6'11 Dimitrije Stojanovic (6.2/3.8) return for the Wildcats.
Garrett Hayden a 6'2 freshman (redshirt) is also back.
Bethel has brought in several promising transfers and freshmen.
* Dwight Reed 6'3 Junior, Corning Community College (8.8/4.5)
* Kendan Maddox 6'8 Junior, Albany State University (3.3/2.8)
* Ethan Turner 6'8 freshman, Gibson County High School
* Matija Beric 6'7 freshman, The Scots College School
After four games away from the friendly confines of Crisp Arena, the Cats open up the home campaign in the Chick Fil A Classic on November 10 and 11. Southeastern Baptist, Crowley's Ridge and Blue Mountain Christian make up the field for the classic.
The twelve game MSC portion does not get underway until January 13 when the Wildcats travel to rival Freed-Hardeman. The first three conference games are road games.
The Wildcats return 77 percent of the scoring from last season. Seventy eight percent of the rebounding returns. Bethel returns 84 percent in assists, 83 percent in steals, 91 percent in three-point field goals and 79 percent if field goals made. In the minutes played, the Wildcats return 78 percent from last season.
Coach Jeff Britt commented, "We have a good group of guys returning and a good incoming group. We are excited about the potential of this squad. We feel if they work hard and stay focused, we have a chance to gel and have a good season."
Coach Britt enters his 24th year as the head men's basketball coach at Bethel University and his 34th year as a college basketball coach in 2022-23. His all-time record as a head coach is 507-361 and includes 11 seasons with 20-plus wins. Coach Britt led Bethel to five consecutive winning seasons from 2001-06 and nine consecutive winning seasons from 2011-20. He currently ranks 10th for most wins among active NAIA Division I men's basketball coaches. Britt has 399 wins as head coach of the Wildcats.