Men's Basketball 2024-25 Season Preview
FROSTBURG, Md. - Frostburg State Athletics will be taking a preview for each team competing in the Winter season, covering six total sports. Throughout the week, each team will continue to be broken down into their expectations, key players, and overall outlook for their season and program. To conclude previews for Winter sports is Men's Basketball.
Overall
Frostburg State Men's Basketball is set to begin their 77th season for the 2024-25 year. Head Coach Zack Thomsen gears up for his second season leading the program, as he is happy to welcome back Assistant Coach Andy Gravelin, while adding Graduate Assistant Seth Keller and Volunteer Assistant Jon Hegeman.
Last Season
The Bobcats entered a rebuilding period a season ago, as the team picked up just three wins on the 2023-24 year over West Virginia Wesleyan, Wheeling, and Salem. Thomsen was able to secure his first victory with Frostburg early in the season, with a tight 86-83 road win over WVWC. With two conference wins on the season, FSU snuck their way into their first-ever MEC Tournament as the tenth seed, for their first-ever tournament appearance at the Division II level.
The Returners
Looking to start fresh in his second year with the program, Thomsen returns just five players from last year's active roster. Koby Baptiste and Jayshaun Freeman return as the duo of seniors, having both provided strong minutes a season ago. Baptiste led the team in rebounds last season with 6.7 per game, also pushing for 8.5 ppg, while Freeman returns having averaged 8.9 ppg last year. Justin Roseme comes back to the court as a redshirt junior, coming off a solid 2023-24 season, as he returns as the leading scorer with 9.6 ppg last year, shooting a team-best 43% from long range. Zane McCarty and Vilius Slanina come back as the returning sophomore class, with the former leading the team last year in free throw percentage (84%). Redshirt senior Naphtali Regilus, and redshirt freshmen Cash Herndon and Blake Burrows rejoin the squad this year, having not been active for the 2023-24 season.
The Newcomers
Thomsen brings in 12 new faces to the mix with the plan of blending his guys together. Thomsen welcomes in a freshman class of seven, while adding five transfers as well. Kadon Fossett, Tony Pope, and Trey Simmons come in as the trio of freshman guards, while RJ Barnes, D'Yan Carter, Brady Walters, and Christopher Meakin represent the freshman forwards. Jackson Henry and Jaden Baker join the squad as junior guards, while Manok Lual and Chase Whippen come to Frostburg as junior forwards. Eric Sondberg looks to use his graduate year with the Bobcats, coming in as a guard.
Kick Off to Season
FSU starts their season tomorrow, November 9 with their first game of the Bobcat Classic starting at 6 PM against Shippensburg. Frostburg finishes their home tournament on Sunday, November 10 against Seton Hill (Pa.) at 2 PM. The Bobcats then go on the road for their first away game of the season, traveling to face Shepherd on Wednesday, November 13 at 7 PM. FSU starts MEC play on Saturday, November 23 as the team welcomes Davis & Elkins to Bobcat Arena for a 4 PM matchup.
For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.
Latest Top Stories
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- Marcucci Earns MEC Football Special Teams Player of the WeekRedshirt sophomore Jordan Marcucci was named MEC Football Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season, as the award was announced on Monday by the league office and is presented by The Health Plan.
- Leitzel, Bonhivert Named PSAC Second Team All-ConferenceThe Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced their Field Hockey All-Conference awards on Monday morning, with junior Paige Letizel and graduate Emilie Bonhivert each earning a spot on the PSAC Second Team.
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- Men's Basketball Drops Final Game of Bobcat Classic to Close Out Opening WeekendThe Frostburg State Men's Basketball team fell in their final game of the Bobcat Classic with an 85-46 loss to Seton Hill (Pa.) on Sunday afternoon.
- Quintero Rivas Nets Brace, Foret Secures Shutout in Men's Soccer QF VictoryJunior Carlos Quintero Rivas scored once early and once late on to power the Frostburg State Men's Soccer team to a 2-0 home win over West Liberty in the opening round of the MEC Tournament.