SPRINGFIELD, IL – In the new three-division format, the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men's basketball team was selected to finish third place in the Central Division in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) preseason poll.
 
UIS received 43 points and three first-place votes for the Central Division in the preseason poll. In last season's two-division format, the Prairie Stars placed seventh in the East Division with a 9-18 overall record and a 4-14 record in conference play.
 
"Our goal is to expect to win every game, and compete like that is our intention," UIS coach Bill Walker said.
 
Last season, Bellarmine University took the GLVC regular-season title with a 17-1 conference record. Quincy University won the West Division with a 14-4 conference record. Lewis University knocked off Quincy in the GLVC Quarterfinals with a 79-78 victory. The Flyers followed up their win over Quincy by advancing to the GLVC Championship before falling to Bellarmine in a 74-61 loss. Bellarmine has earned at least a share of the GLVC regular-season title during the last three seasons.
 
Bellarmine, Quincy, the University of Southern Indiana, Truman State University and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside all qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament. Quincy took a 93-64 loss to Bellarmine in the Second Round. Bellarmine advanced to the Final Four before Fairmont State University captured a 79-68 win.
 
Drury University, Maryville University and Bellarmine are picked to win the West, Central and East Divisions, respectively. Bellarmine is ranked No. 3 in this years National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II preseason poll. The University of Indianapolis is also receiving votes, nationally.
 
GLVC PRESEASON POLL

East	Team	Points (1st)
1.	Bellarmine	54 (13)
2.	Indianapolis	51 (1)
3.	Lewis	49
4.	Southern Indiana	48
5.	UW-Parkside*	21 (1)

 

Central	Team	Points (1st)
1.	Maryville	56 (6)
2.	Missouri-St. Louis	53 (3)
3.	Illinois Springfield	43 (3)
4.	Quincy	42 (2)
5.	McKendree	26 (1)

 

West	Team	Points (1st)
1.	Drury	60 (7)
2.	Truman State	56 (5)
3.	Rockhurst	47 (2)
4.	Missouri S&T	29
5.	William Jewell	28 (1)

 
WHO'S WHO
UIS graduated Paxton Harmon, who averaged 14.0 points and 2.19 3-pointers made. He put together a 41.8 3-point field-goal percentage and an 83.9 free-throw percentage.
 
The Prairie Stars return 10-of-12 players from last season, including four starters. Eddie Longmeyer led UIS last season with 14.3 points per game and 4.0 assists per game.
 
"Obviously, we are looking for a big senior season from Eddie."
 
Vince Walker also comes back to the Prairie Stars. He averaged 11.6 points, 2.44 3-pointers made. Walker also compiled a 41.5 3-point field-goal percentage and an 82.5 free-throw percentage.
 
Zach Steinberg recorded averages of 11.1 points and 8.0 rebounds last season. Logan Gonce sank 90.2 percent of his free throws last season. UIS also returns Lijah Donnelly, Wayde Smith, Chidiebere Ngwe, Bahari Amaya, Kaj Days and Brandon Van Sant.
 
Gilwan Nelson joins the Prairie Stars after spending two seasons with Olney Central College. The junior forward from Mt. Vernon, IL averaged 14.5 points with the Blue Knights last year.
 
"Gilwan is a versatile player that should step into the mix immediately."
 
Local talents to join UIS include Aundrae Williams and Collin Stallworth.
 
During his senior year, Williams averaged 12.4 points for Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL and led the Lions to fourth place in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) 3A State Tournament. Stallworth contributed averages of 12 points and eight rebounds during his senior year at Rochester High School.
 
"Both of our local freshman, Aundrae and Collin, will see playing time, immediately."
 
Sophomore transfer CJ Payawal and freshman Derrick Faulkner round out the UIS roster.
 
A LOOK AT THE OPPONENTS
The Prairie Stars are slated for two non-conference games in Canton, OH. UIS faces off at Malone University on Friday at 8 p.m. (ET) and then takes on Hillsdale College in a neutral-site matchup on Saturday at 5 p.m. (ET).
 
Malone finished 14-13 last season and advanced to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) semifinals. The Pioneers returns four starters from last season. Ty Jordan led the Pioneers, averaging 15.8 points, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals. Nate Sheppard and Mitchell Spotelson recorded scoring averages of 14.9 and 13.5, respectively.
 
Hillsdale went 15-12 last year. The Chargers brings back three starters from the previous season. Stedman Lowry put together a 14.3 scoring average and 41.3 percent 3-point field-goal percentage. Nate Neveau averaged 10.3 points and 4.7 assists, while converting 41.9 percent of his shots from the perimeter. Ryan Badowski notched 12.7 points per game, sank 51.7 percent of his shots from the field and knocked down 45.1 percent of his shots from behind the arc.
 
"Both Malone and Hillsdale are expecting strong seasons. Hillsdale is traditionally very strong and Malone will be sky-high for their home opener."
 
LOOKING AHEAD
UIS hosts Harris-Stowe State University (1-1) next Monday at 7:30 p.m. in TRAC and welcomes Robert Morris University-Peoria (0-2) next Friday at 7 p.m. in TRAC. The Prairie Stars then travel to Carbondale, IL to face off with NCAA Division I opponent Southern Illinois University in an exhibition next Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
KEYS TO SUCCESS
"Along with keeping our team healthy, each player needs to embrace their role and expect to win."
 
HOW TO WATCH
Friday, Nov. 10 – UIS at Malone (Live Video/Stats)
Saturday, Nov. 11 – UIS vs. Hillsdale (Live Video/Stats)