Having some of the best talent, coaching, and depth in the NAIA will help make the transition for Walsh University to NCAA Division II. They Cavaliers will join the always tough GLIAC conference, with the likes of Ashland, Findlay, Tiffin, Lake Erie and Malone this season in the south.
The transition would be a tough one for any first time school, but Jeff Young enters the South Division already as one of the more accomplished coaches. His Walsh teams went to 7 straight NAIA Tournaments, including two trips to the national championship game.
As witnessed at Value City Arena last year, this team is full of kids from the great state of Ohio.
The Cavaliers were dismissed from playing in any national tournament last season because of the move over to DII, but they still brought home their 8th straight American Mideast Conference crown.
And for anyone doubting their ability at the D II level, this is a team that brought home the Ohio Independent Championship and finished 26-5. Young has a overall record of 224-44.
On the court, the Cavs return three starters and seven contributors from a year ago. Leading the way is Kenny Kornowski in the post. At 6’9″ he shows a good command down low. He returns after missing most of last season with a knee injury. Up to that point he averaged over 18 points and nearly 9 rebounds a game He is joined by point man Brad DuPont, who really showed up to play as a junior last year. The Massillon product is a very good point man at this level, and has a keen eye when dishing off to team mates.
Offensively, Rian Burrell will be a key part of the 2012/13 season. As a freshman he averaged over 13 points per game.
To learn more about the Walsh University Cavaliers, watch this video below with play by play man and Walsh SID Jim Clark with Head coach Jeff Young
Tip-Off is at 7 PM!
