By Andrew Cross
The Master’s University (TMU) men’s basketball team has reloaded for 2023 and is embarking on a season in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). Coming off a 20-9 season and a first-round exit in the NAIA National Tournament in 2023, the Mustangs are a threat to win the GSAC and still make a deep run in the tournament. Here’s a preview of the men’s basketball season.
The Mustangs have a good group of returners coming back in 2023, highlighted by Kaleb Lowery, the reigning GSAC player of the year in 2023 and a first-team NAIA All-American. Lowery averaged a strong double-double for the Mustangs last year with 15ppg and 10rpg and is also a significant threat behind the arc after shooting 38% last season. Other key returners are guard Jordan Caruso, who was an All-Conference selection before getting hurt, and Caden Starr, who shot over 40% from three last season.
“Caden Starr is someone that is emerging as a deep threat,” TMU Sports Information Director Dave Caldwell said. “He’s set multiple career highs here in the early goings, and he should be one to watch for the Mustangs.”
Kamrin Oriol is the reigning freshman of the year in the GSAC after averaging 10.1ppg and should play a significant role in 2023-2024 after his season was also cut short due to injury. The Mustang returners ensure that TMU will keep a high-caliber offense this season.
After losing two key seniors in Victor Ohia Obioha, the 2022 GSAC Defensive Player of the Year, and guard Christian Sweazie, TMU added guard Ty Harper to the rotation. Harper has already won GSAC Player of the Week this year and has had multiple games with 25+ points. Harper, a former top recruit out of local Santa Clarita Christian School, started his career at NCAA DI Louisiana-Lafayette, but has found his way back to TMU for this season. The addition of Harper adds another ball-handler and scoring threat for the Mustangs offense that was already excelling at scoring the basketball.
“It’s definitely a smaller team… but what we have here is a quicker and faster team that will be able to do so much more offensively behind the three-point line and also create so many hassles defensively,” Caldwell said.
One key game the Mustangs will face is against Arizona Christian, who entered the season ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Coaches’ Poll. The Mustangs split the season series with the Firestorm in 2022-23, upsetting them on the road. ACU and TMU will face off on Feb. 8. Another critical matchup is against Ottawa University of Arizona, who reached the semifinals of the NAIA Tournament. That game is scheduled for Feb. 10 at home for the Mustangs.
The TMU Mane 