Men’s Basketball Set to Begin 2023-24 Season

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team is set to begin their 2023-24 campaign on Saturday, November 4 as it hosts Kenyon College at Ariel Arena at 1:00pm.

The Cougars finished the 2022-23 season with an overall record of 15-14, going 8-10 in the Crossroads League. The Crossroads League, one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA, had multiple teams qualify for the National Tournament in 2022-23. Conference play for MVNU begins on November 18 versus Spring Arbor University.

Ronai has brought in eight new faces to his roster in 2023-24. The freshman class consist of 6'3" guard Bede Lori (Caldwell HS), 6'2" guard Drew Koning (Cedarville HS), 5'9" guard Grant Burkholder (Newark HS), 6'6" forward Antwaun Hathcock (Dayton Ponitz HS), and 6'7" freshman forward Devin Dreier (Dayton Christian HS). These new additions give MVNU added depth and plenty of potential to work with during the season.

MVNU also added three transfers in 6'3" senior guard Jack Kahoun (Trinity International), 6'7" senior forward Bailey Conrad (Citadel College), and 6'2" senior guard Beau Ludwick (Holy Cross). The transfer class for Ronai brings talent and experience to his 2024 class of recruits.

Senior Kade Ruegsegger had a strong 2022-2023 season as a junior (18.4 PPG, 46.0 FG%, 38.2 3FG%). Ruegsegger was an All-Crossroads League Second Team selection last year and was named to the All-League Preseason First Team heading into the year. Trent Koning (8.5 PPG, 45.3 FG%, 38.8 3FG%) returns for the Cougars this season. Koning was an All-Crossroads League Freshman Team selection for the 2022-23 season.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.