MBB: California Baptist Lancers 2024-25 Team Preview
Is Dom Daniels Jr. healthy? If so, CBU could surprise the WAC in 2024-25
There is something about the ball games between the California Baptist Lancers and the Seattle U Redhawks. The 2023-24 versions were instant classics. Sure, the Redhawks won both…but, the first game at the Redhawk Center in early January ended on a last-second bucket by Alex Schumacher, although some might say there was a bit of controversy.
In the second meeting, in mid-February at Fowler Events Center, the game came down to the last two possessions. Kobe Williamson had a 3-point play to give Seattle U the lead 61-60 lead. And on the next CBU possession, Dom Daniels JR. got tripped up going to the hole with no whistle.
Losing the game is bad news. Losing one of the best guards in the league for the remainder of the season made things even worse. Dom Daniels Jr. was leading the WAC in scoring up to that point…and he had a game-high 26 points in that loss.
Well, Daniels is back, and healthy. Now, it becomes a matter of chemistry for a team with a lot of talent, who could surprise people in 2024-25.
Head Coach:
Rick Croy, 11th season (302-163 at CBU, 38-42 in WAC)
Overall record as head coach: 347-131
2023-24:
Finished 16-17 overall, 8-12 in WAC play
Lost in second round of WAC Tournament to Seattle U.
Key Losses:
Hunter Goodrick
Blondeau Tchoukuiegno
Scotty Washington
Yvan Ouedraogo
Key Returners:
Dom Daniels Jr.
Kendal Coleman
Brantly Stevenson
Newcomers:
Adam Moussa - Tarleton
Devon Malcolm - JUCO
AJ Braun - Wright State
Sam Silverstein - Harvard
Martel Williams - Utah State Eastern
Javonte Johnson - Colorado State
When you have one of the best players in the Western Athletic Conference, the goal should be to surround that player with experience and athleticism.
Rick Croy and his staff have accomplished both heading into 2024-25.
Adam Moussa is another floor general for the Lancers alongside Dom Daniels Jr.
With his physicality and athleticism, Kendal Coleman can be a matchup nightmare in the paint.
Brantly Stevenson is a sharpshooter who can go off from the perimeter at any moment.
Aj Braun is a big body with Division I experience. Martel Williams was at Southern Utah under Todd Simon before Simon left for Bowling Green in 2023-24. And Sam Silverstein is another shooter with Division I experience.
Keep an eye on 6’5 freshman Mouhamadou Dioum who could become an impact player later in the 2024-25 season.
CBU is so top-heavy with upperclassmen so experience will be a huge factor in the success of the Lancers.
Projected Starting Lineup
G - Dom Daniels Jr.
G - Javonte Johnson
G - Sam Silverstein
F - Kendal Coleman
F - AJ Braun
The one absolute is that Dom Daniels Jr. will start in 2024-25.
Other than that, starting spots are up for grabs in a competitive locker room.
For the purposes of this preview, the most experienced, and perhaps the most athletic Lancers have been selected.
Tarleton transfer Adam Moussa and former SUU T-Bird Martel Williams will also be in the mix to get the starting nod.
Rick Croy also has Brantly Stevenson who could be in the mix. Stevenson started 26 of 33 games last year for the Lancers.
That is eight players who could potentially start for the Lancers in 2024-25.
Remember that when the season tips off on Nov. 4 at Fowler Events Center against Southland Conference foe Incarnate Word.
Scheduling News
There is little travel for the Lancers in the non-conference slate. CBU leaves the state of California twice in non-conference play.
CBU opens with six straight home games before traveling to Palm Springs, CA for the Acrisure Holiday Invitational. The Lancers will face SMU on Nov. 26 before facing either Fresno State or Wazzou on Nov. 27.
Following the MTE, CBU goes on the road for four straight. The trip starts on Dec. 1 at UCF, followed by a trip to San Diego State on Dec. 11, then the second leg of the WAC-Conference USA Scheduling Initiative at Middle Tennessee on Dec. 16. The Lancers round out the trip with a Dec. 21 date at Fresno State.
CBU finishes out the non-conference slate with home games against Jackson State and UC Irvine before starting conference play by hosting Seattle U on Jan. 4.
Outlook
Everyone knows Dom Daniels Jr. is good and can score the basketball. Brantly Stevenson has shown glimpses. Kendal Coleman has a big motor.
But, how will the newcomers, outside of Adam Moussa, handle the WAC?
Moussa started in two games for Tarleton in 2023-24 and played in 29. So, he understands the WAC.
Rick Croy has a collection of length, athleticism, experience, and sharpshooters.
Can the Lancers put it all together in 2024-25? There has been talent in Riverside since joining the WAC.
Taran Armstrong, Ty Rowell, Milan Acquah, Brandon Boyd, Gorjok Gak.
Talent.
Now, the Lancers have talent and depth.
What will they do with it? Especially considering this might be the most difficult non-conference schedule the Lancers have faced since joining the Division I ranks.
If we are being honest, CBU could/should be 6-0 going into the Acrisure Holiday Classic.
It is all about how quickly the chemistry comes together, and if Dom Daniels Jr. is healthy.
The Lancers could surprise people in 2024-25. And that’s not a BOLD statement.