Men's Basketball 11/9/2022 9:47:00 AM

Big Blue Men's Basketball Ready to Open Season

DECATUR, Illinois—Second year head coach Kramer Soderberg is confident the Millikin University men's basketball program is on the right track after last year's turn around season that saw the Big Blue post a 14-12 record and qualify for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament.

After last year's success, Soderberg has full buy-in from both his returners and his newcomers and he believe the Big Blue will continue to show improvement in 2022-23.

Millikin returns four starters from last season lead by senior big man Cole Laurence (Farmington, Mo., H.S.). Junior Demarcus Bond (St. Louis, Mo., University H.S.) and sophomores JT Welch (Bloomington, Central Catholic H.S.) and Noah Livingston (Casey, Casey Westfield H.S.) all are expected to return to the starting lineup. Sophomore Drake Stevenson (O'Fallon, Mo., Fort Zumwalt North H.S.) is expected to round out the start lineup after playing significant minutes on all 26 games last season. Laurence will patrol the paint for the Big Blue after averaging eight points and five rebounds per game last season. Bond will direct the Millikin offense after averaging 8.5 points per game last season while dishing out 78 assists. Welch and Livingston each contributed seven points per game last season. Welch scored in double figures in 10 games last season including scoring a career high 16 against Blackburn. Livingston had a career high 20 points against Carthage and scored 19 against Greenville. Stevenson scored a career high 18 in 2021-22 in the win over Eureka.

Millikin should have a solid bench this season led by sophomore Landon Hullinger (Lincoln, H.S.) and transfers Trent Champagne (St. Charles, Mo., Lindenwood University) and 6-8 forward Frazier Ott (Chesterfield, Mo., Lindenwood University). Both players joined the Big Blue after starting their careers and Soderberg's alma mater, NCAA Division II Lindenwood.

Millikin opens the season on November 12 at Illinois College.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Demarcus Bond: G/F; 6' 3"; Junior

#35 Landon Hullinger: G/F; 6' 5"; Sophomore

#50 Cole Laurence: F; 6' 8"; Senior

#23 Noah Livingston: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#22 Drake Stevenson: F; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#3 JT Welch: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#11 Trent Champagne: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#44 Frazier Ott: F; 6' 8"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#5 Demarcus Bond
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G/F

#35 Landon Hullinger
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: G/F

#50 Cole Laurence
: 6' 8"; Senior
: F

#23 Noah Livingston
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#22 Drake Stevenson
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: F

#3 JT Welch
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: G

#11 Trent Champagne
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#44 Frazier Ott
: 6' 8"; Sophomore
: F