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MBB Preview at Drexel 2023-24 Season
Nelson Cheeseman

Men's Basketball

Pirates Men’s Basketball Begin the New Year on the Road at Drexel

HAMPTON, Va. (Dec. 31, 2023) … Hampton University men's basketball team is set to begin Coastal Athletic Association play on Monday at Noon. The Pirates have not faced an opponent on New Year's Day since the 2010-11 season. Hampton would be victorious defeating Colorado State 77-75 in the Hilltop Classic. HU's conference opener against Drexel will also be the Pirates' first nationally televised game of the season. 

A Look at Your Pirates

In their last time out HU fell on the road to Eastern Michigan 72-69. After trading blows early in the opening minutes the Pirates trailed the entire contest. However, in the second half, Hampton was able to make it a one-possession game. In only his third game back sophomore Trey Thomas had a career-high 17 points. Thomas was able to do most of his damage from beyond the arc hitting three threes. While HU only committed eight turnovers, a late turnover halted the Pirate's second-half comeback

Hampton has only faced Drexel twice in program history. Before joining the Coastal Athletic Association, HU had never faced the Dragons. Coach Edward Joyner Jr.'s squad split the series last year.  In the series' most recent matchup, the Pirates came out on top 75-72. Kyrese Mullen would be one of three Pirates to finish the game in double-figures.

Mullen this season has seen an increased role on the team and has been one of HU's key contributors. The Norfolk, Va. native, is averaging eight more points per game. With the sophomore becoming a consistent scoring threat, he has produced seven double-doubles this season. Currently, Mullen sits seventh in the country for double-doubles this season. 

Hampton by the Numbers
  • 91.2: Tedrick Wilcox Jr. has the 26th-best free throw percentage in the country
  • 1: Tristan Maxwell is one of 13 players at the Division I level to have a triple-double this season
  • 16:4: Since his first career start, freshman Jerry Deng is averaging a team-high in points
  • 13.5: The Pirates are forcing the second most turnovers per contest in the CAA
  • 16.5: Hampton is averaging the 14th most fastbreak points in the country

A Look at the Dragons

Drexel enters Monday's contest with a (7-6) overall record. In the CAA Preseason Poll, the Dragons were selected to finish third. To start the month of December DU upset #18 Villanova in the Big Five Classic. Since then they have gone (2-3) suffering losses to Princeton, West Virginia, and Bryant.

Drexel is coached by Zach Spiker who enters his eighth season with the program. Throughout his eight seasons, he has amassed 100 wins with the Dragons.  During the 2021 Season, Coach Spiker's squad won their first-ever Colonial Athletic Association Championship. With claiming the tournament title Drexel made it the NCAA tournament for the first time in 25 years. 

The Dragons are led by the two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year Amari Williams. Williams continues to anchor Drexel's defense. The senior has been one of the best-shot blockers in the country this season. Through the non-conference portion of their schedule, Williams is producing a conference-high 1.92 blocks per game. Along with being a prolific shot blocker, he is also averaging 11.1 points per contest

Drexel by the Numbers
  • .500: The Dragons have gone (1-1) against Quadrant I opponents according to the NCAA Net Rankings
  • 10.5: Drexel has the 15th-best rebounding margin in the country
  • 41.1: So far this season the Dragons have led the Coastal Athletic Association in rebounds per contest.
  • 5: Amari Williams has produced the second most double-doubles in the CAA 
  • 19: Justin Moore has accounted for the fifth most steals in the conference
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Players Mentioned

Tedrick Wilcox Jr.

#0 Tedrick Wilcox Jr.

G
6' 6"
Graduate Student
Tristan Maxwell

#1 Tristan Maxwell

G
6' 3"
Junior
Kyrese Mullen

#3 Kyrese Mullen

F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Trey Thomas

#13 Trey Thomas

G
6' 2"
Sophomore
Jerry Deng

#15 Jerry Deng

F
6' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Tedrick Wilcox Jr.

#0 Tedrick Wilcox Jr.

6' 6"
Graduate Student
G
Tristan Maxwell

#1 Tristan Maxwell

6' 3"
Junior
G
Kyrese Mullen

#3 Kyrese Mullen

6' 7"
Sophomore
F
Trey Thomas

#13 Trey Thomas

6' 2"
Sophomore
G
Jerry Deng

#15 Jerry Deng

6' 9"
Freshman
F