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: T.J. Carnegie, second season
• Last year: 21-11, 12-4 MCCAA
• Conference: Michigan Community College Athletic Association
• Key losses: Alex Lyle, Roy Jackson, James Carroll, Jared Mysliwiec
• Key additions: (freshmen) Kevin Badger, Justin Klein, Miles Robinson, Daryl White, Devin Longoria, Nate Hollenbeck, Darrin Nesby, Phillip Hansen, Antoine Wilson, Deontae Hudson, Chris Mickey; (sophomores) Alex Mustert
• Team website
• Grand Rapids C.C. news on BallinMichigan

Overview

Through two games to start the season, Grand Rapids Community College looks like the team will once again be a fixture near the top of the MCCAA West standings.

Strengths

Grand Rapids returns two players from last season who should be solid contributors once again. Forward Micah Gates was second on the team in scoring at 13.7 points per game and led the team in rebounding at 10.9 per game. He shot 59 percent from the field and gives the Raiders a reliable, consistent presence inside.

Forward Tyler Krim averaged 9.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game as a freshman while knocking down 33 percent of his 3-pointers.

Joining them will be Muster, a transfer from Calvin, and a host of talented freshmen. Mustert, Hudson, Badger and White have all made strong early-season contributions. GRCC is off to a 1-1 start after beating Kuyper College and losing a close game to Mott.

Weaknesses

GRCC loses several key players from a team that advanced to the national tournament last season. Lyle, who is now at Cornerstone, was the team’s leading scorer at 14.3 points per game. Mysliwiec only appeared in 15 games, but he averaged 12.8 points and 3.7 assists per game. Jackson and Carroll averaged a combined 17 points per game and both played key roles. So far, GRCC has shown that they have players ready to give significant contributions immediately, but those are still four good MCCAA players that need to be replaced.

Circle these dates …

• Jan. 12 and Feb. 8 — Glen Oaks has a strong incoming class and will be one of several West teams with legit chances at getting to the national tournament.
• Jan. 25 and Feb. 23 — GRCC will face Lansing, the likely favorite to win the Western Conference this season.

Outlook

Grand Rapids will certainly be in the mix at the top of the West standings, but there should be a lot of parity between the top three or four teams in that conference this season.

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
• Muskegon has to replace nearly entire team from last season
• Mid-Michigan C.C. features team of all freshmen
• Kirtland has to replace John Edwards, Stavros Schizas
• St. Clair returns top scorer Johnnie Mills

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