ALLENDALE – The Grand Valley State men's basketball team begins the 2023-24 season on the road this weekend. The Lakers will kick things off at Ashland tomorrow (Nov. 10) at 7:30 PM before traveling to Walsh on Saturday (Nov. 11) at 7:00 PM.
 
Ashland: Watch | Live Stats
Walsh: Watch | Live Stats
 
Lakers will begin their second season under head coach Cornell Mann in the 2023-24 season. GVSU has been projected to finish third in the GLIAC Preseason Poll. 
 
GVSU returns six players that played last season including four that started in at least 20 games. All-GLIAC first team honoree and leading scorer Marius Grazulis returns after averaging 12.2 points per game in his junior campaign. Grazulis was named to the GLIAC Preseason First Team and will look to have a big senior season for the Lakers. Britain Harris (6.6 ppg) and Jalen Charity (6.7 ppg) return for their sophomore campaigns after appearing in all 30 games making at least 20 starts as freshmen. GVSU also returns Trevon Gunter (7.2 ppg) and Trevor Smith (5.9 ppg) who will look to make big jumps heading into their junior seasons. 
 
Along with the returning players, the Lakers welcome three Division I transfers that will look to make an immediate impact this season. William Dunn transferred to GVSU after spending two seasons at Youngstown State. Last season Dunn averaged 5.8 points per game while shooting over 55% from the field. Mason Docks transferred to GVSU after spending his freshman season at UMBC appearing in 27 games. Docks will look to compete for the starting point guard spot this season. Kohen Thompson spent two seasons at Maryland-Eastern Shore appearing in 56 games in that span. Thompson will provide depth at the forward position who can stretch the floor along with Dunn. 
 
This will be the 44^th meeting between the two teams. The Lakers are 24-19 all-time against the Eagles. Ashland is coming off a 22-10 season last year. The Eagles won the GMAC Tournament Championship and punched a ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Ashland was picked to win the GMAC regular season championship on the preseason coaches' poll. Simon Wheeler is the highest returning scorer for the Eagles last season after averaging 11.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and a team leading 6.0 assists.
 
Walsh is coming off a 20-9 season last year, falling in the GMAC Tournament semifinals. Garrison Keeslar returns for his junior season after being the second leading scorer for the Cavaliers last season with 14.0 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game. Nic Smith returns after averaging nine points a game last year and will look to increase his numbers this season.
 
Visit gvsulakers.com for links to live video and live stats and follow @gvsubasketball for live in-game updates all weekend long.