MBB Picked Seventh by PAC Coaches
The Bethany College men's basketball team, in the second season under Bradley Johnson, will continue its youthful revival in the 2024-25 season.
The Bison featured seven players that played in at least 20 games, all seven being underclassmen, and six of the seven return to the roster.
With that being said, the Presidents' Athletic Conference coaches picked the Bison to finish seventh in the preseason poll. Geneva (100 points) received 10 of the 11 first-place votes. The Golden Tornadoes were followed by Saint Vincent (85), Chatham (75), Waynesburg (67), Washington & Jefferson (63), Grove City (58), BETHANY (46), Thiel (31), Franciscan (28), Westminster (28), and Allegheny (24).
"While we may be picked seventh in the PAC preseason poll, I see this as an opportunity for us to prove ourselves," said Johnson. "Our focus is on hard work and teamwork, and we believe that with dedication and resilience, we can exceed expectations. Let's embrace the challenge ahead and show what Bethany basketball is all about!"
Bethany brings back two of its top three scorers in juniors Cole Dailey and Troy Hixson, the former being named second team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference a season ago. Dailey, who was named as a preseason honoree, is just 17 blocks from setting a new school blocks record. The five-man led the PAC with 9.4 rebounds per game and was fifth in the conference with 17.7 points per game. He added 3.0 assists and 46 blocks for the Bison.
"He brings hard work and a great attitude every day," said Johnson. "What people don't know or think about Cole is that he is an extremely unselfish player and person; puts the team first all of the time."
Surrounding Dailey are several sharpshooters in Hixson, sophomore Ben Guffey, and sophomore Colin Meany. The trio combined to make 131 three-pointers on 36 percent shooting. Hixson, who averaged 12.3 points, connected on a team-high 55 three-pointers on a team-high 174 attempts. Meaney made (30) and attempted (74) the fewest, making 41.1 percent of his attempts. Guffey was 46-of-120 from beyond the arc.
"Colin Meany, Cole Matthews, and Ben Guffey all led us in three-point percentage last year," said Johnson. "So I expect them to be crucial in our shooting efforts. In addition to a few newcomers who will be exciting to follow.
Bethany will have plenty of potential options on the wing in their positionless system in senior transfer Jake Sanders, junior TJ Jenkins, sophomore Jaydis Kennedy, freshman Angelo Kulacz, freshman Tony Kulacz, and Jess Roller.
Sophomore Blake Kahnell and freshman Josh Coffeld will be tasked will fighting for minutes behind Dailey.
Bethany opens its season 7:30 p.m. Friday, traveling to New York to face Houghton.
