It’s hard to believe, but college basketball season is here. This week, we’ll preview Michigan’s 19 junior college teams.

By Patrick Hayes

At a glance

• Coach: Dave Schlump, fourth season
• Last year: 22-9, 12-4 MCCAA
• Conference: Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA)
• Key losses: Isiah Law, Cody Kleeves, Kulawnie Saunders, Matt Stoll, Brandon Keur, Steven Ray
• Key additions: (freshmen) Ratko Repac, Caleb Bowman, Marquise Hatter, Jalin Gross, Zach Leach, Camryn Bass, Kenya Oas, Andre Parker, Jake Anderson, Darius Green, Jake Wilde; (sophomores) T.J. Grant, Delvon Brown, Devaughn Cole-Rodney
• Team website
• Muskegon C.C. news on BallinMichigan

Overview

Muskegon had a great season last season, but replacing virtually its entire team and maintaining that high level of play will be difficult.

Strengths

Muskegon will rely on a group of four sophomores for experience this season, but three of those four are new to the team. Grant and Ford each averaged four points per game for Lincoln Trail College last season. Cole-Rodney averaged five points per game for Eastern Iowa last season. The only returning player is Asa Wyers, who averaged 2.1 points per game last season.

Muskegon was at its best at the end of last season, though, winning eight of nine games down the stretch. With such a young roster, if the team can overcome some likely struggles early but once again get better by the end of the season, they should be a factor in that mid-tier of teams in the MCCAA West.

Weaknesses

How much this team loses from last year can’t be understated. Law, Kleeves, Saunders and Stoll all averaged double figures and combined to score nearly 60 points per game. Ray and Keur were both important role players. All JUCO teams have a lot of year-to-year turnover, but Muskegon is in the unenviable position of having to replace every single important contributor from last season.

Circle these dates …

• Jan. 5 and Feb. 2 — Muskegon won twice against Jackson last season, but Jackson will be one of the teams that finished just behind in the standings who should be strong this season.
• Jan. 23 and Feb. 20 — Glen Oaks finished just behind Muskegon as well. The teams split their two meetings last season.

Outlook

Muskegon has too many good players to replace to be penciled in as a contender for the Western Conference title, but the good news for them is that other teams have a ways to go as well.

Previously

• Alpena needs to replace talented foursome from last season
• Sophomore Larry Taylor leads an improving Jackson C.C. program into season
• Delta loses All-American Jody Hill in quest for third straight district final four
• Kellogg’s Darius Holman among state’s top returning players
• Wayne County returns two big-time scorers
• New coach hoping to lead Lake Michigan to more success
• Mix of new and old talent should help Kalamazoo Valley improve
• Schoolcraft has to replace four key players, including star Karl Moore
• Large group of transfers should offset Glen Oaks’ loss of Karvel Anderson
• Henry Ford looking to replace Eastern Michigan-bound James Still
• Patrick Ferrell will anchor solid Macomb lineup

---

Subscribe to the , like  and follow .