The Tiffin University Men’s Basketball team will enter its first season of full-fledged NCAA Division II membership with some major additions to a Dragon squad that will look to adapt quickly to a higher level of competition. "We are a young team that will have to work hard on both ends of the floor for us to be successful," said second year Head Coach Rodney Martin.

The team will return only one starter from last year’s team that finished 5-22, but Coach Martin is excited about the team’s possibilities this year. "The guys that are here are a talented group that will need to pull together as a team early. The new players we’ve added along with the returners should give us a chance to compete at this level," said Martin. 

The lone starter from last year’s team, sophomore Alex Strok, will return as the team’s resident sharpshooter. Strok averaged 10.3 pts per game while shooting 35% from three-point range in his first year as a Dragon. Freshman point guard Brian Scott (Chaminade-Julienne HS) will join Strok in the backcourt, with 6-3 freshman shooting guard Geryn Reese providing additional support on the wing. Sophomore Darryl Stinson (8.7 mpg, 2.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg) will start at forward and look to improve upon his first year numbers with additional court time and experience, and will be working in the paint along 6’5 freshman center Rafael Cuellar.

Providing some experience off the bench will be guards Kenny Pascley and Josh Diaz. Diaz, a 6-2 junior guard, started thirteen games last year for the Dragons while averaging 12.2 minutes and 2.8 points per game. Pascley, a 6-1 senior guard, averaged just under ten minutes and four points in fourteen games last year. "Each of these guys provided great energy for us last year," said Coach Martin, "and hopefully they can continue to improve with another year under their belts."

Joining Diaz and Pascley off the bench for the Dragons are four newcomers. 6’5 Joe Horton (Akron Copley HS) and 6-6 Darryle Miller will provide additional backcourt support for Coach Martin, while 6-6 freshman Ryan Webb and 6-8 junior Mouhamdou Kane will help the Dragons control the boards. "All four of these guys are pushing for minutes early on in the season," said Coach Martin, "and can be major assets for our team."

The team will compete as an NCAA Division II independent this year, and will be facing most of their future GLIAC foes in a challenging schedule for the young Dragons. "Having these guys get comfortable working together and executing on both ends of the floor will dictate our success this season," said Coach Martin. "We’re looking to give these guys time to mature and grow, and take a positive step forward for this program."