2021–22 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team

The 2021–22 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team represented Western Michigan University in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Broncos, led by second-year head coach Clayton Bates, played their home games at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan as members of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 8–23, 4–16 in MAC play, to finish in last place. They failed to qualify for the MAC tournament.

2021–22 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record8–23 (4–16 MAC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaUniversity Arena
Seasons
2021–22 Mid-American Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Toledo 17 3   .850 26 8   .765
Kent State 16 4   .800 23 11   .676
Ohio 14 6   .700 25 10   .714
Akron 14 6   .700 24 10   .706
Buffalo 13 6   .684 19 11   .633
Ball State 9 10   .474 14 17   .452
Miami (OH) 8 12   .400 14 18   .438
Central Michigan 6 12   .333 7 23   .233
Bowling Green 6 14   .300 13 18   .419
Northern Illinois 6 14   .300 9 21   .300
Eastern Michigan 5 15   .250 10 21   .323
Western Michigan 4 16   .200 8 23   .258
2022 MAC tournament winner

On March 7, 2022, head coach Clayton Bates resigned after only two seasons.[1] On April 5, the school named longtime Michigan State assistant Dwayne Stephens the team's new head coach.[2]

Previous season edit

In a season limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Broncos finished the 2020–21 season 5–16, 4–12 in MAC play, to finish in ninth place. As a result, they failed to qualify for the MAC tournament.[3]

Offseason edit

Departures edit

Departures
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Previous school
Chase Barrs 1 F 6'9" 210 Sophomore Tampa, FL Transferred to Florida A&M
William Boyer-Richard 20 G 6'1" 190 Junior Drummondville, QC Graduated; transferred to Brock University
Rafael Cruz Jr. 11 G 6'1" 185 Senior Chicago, IL Graduated
Patrick Emilien 15 F 6'6" 205 Junior Toronto, ON Transferred to St. Francis (NY)
Daylan Hamilton 4 G 6'3" Freshman Houston, TX Transferred to Triton College
Jaylon Holmes 24 G 6'5" RS Sophomore Gary, IN
Greg Lee 23 F 6'9" Senior Rockford, IL Transferred to Penn State
Luke Toliver 10 G 6'3" 190 Junior Paw Paw, MI Transferred to Grand Valley State
Jason Whitens 30 G 6'4" 185 RS Junior Powers, MI Transferred to Michigan State
Kawanise Wilkins 0 F 6'5" 230 RS Junior Chicago, IL Graduated; transferred to Tarleton State

Incoming transfers edit

On April 28, 2021, the NCAA officially adopted a measure that would allow athletes in all sports to transfer once without sitting out a season beginning with the 2021–22 season.[4]

Incoming transfers
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Previous school
Markeese Hastings 0 F 6'7" 195 RS Sophomore Wyoming, MI Butler
Mileek McMillan 1 F 6'9" 225 Senior Merrillville, IN Valparaiso
Lamar Norman Jr. 11 G 6'1" 175 Junior Grand Rapids, MI Duquesne
Mack Smith 32 G 6'2" 210 Junior Indianapolis, IN Eastern Illinois

Recruiting class edit

2021 recruiting class edit

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Gus Etchison
G
Arcadia, IN Hamilton Heights High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 145 lb (66 kg) Jul 16, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: NR
Shemani Fuller
F
The Bronx, NY Woodstock Academy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) N/A Aug 19, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: NR
Cameron Kimble
G
Las Vegas, NV Clark High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) May 25, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: NR
Owen Lobsinger
F
Flint, MI Flint Powers Catholic 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jun 14, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: NR
Jack Stefanski
F
Frankfort, MI Frankfort High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) May 24, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: NR
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2021 Western Michigan Basketball Commits". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  • "2021 Western Michigan Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  • "2021 Western Michigan Basketball Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.

Roster edit

2021–22 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
F 0 Markeese Hastings 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) RS So Butler University Wyoming, MI
F 1 Mileek McMillan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Sr Valparaiso University Merrillville, IN
G 2 Adrian Martin 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jr Lanier High School Sugar Hill, GA
G 3 B. Artis White 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 155 lb (70 kg) So Canton High School Canton, MI
G 11 Lamar Norman Jr. 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jr Duquesne University Grand Rapids, MI
G 12 Josiah Freeman 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Fr Manassas Park High School Manassas Park, VA
G 14 Cameron Kimble 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Clark High School Las Vegas, NV
F 20 Owen Lobsinger 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Fr Powers Catholic High School Flint, Michigan
F 21 Gus Etchison 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 145 lb (66 kg) Fr Hamilton Heights High School Arcadia, IN
C 22 Titus Wright 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) So Thomasville High School Thomasville, GA
F 23 Shemani Fuller 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Fr Woodstock Academy The Bronx, NY
G 32 Mack Smith 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Sr Eastern Illinois University Indianapolis, IN
F 33 Jack Stefanski 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Fr Frankfort High School Frankfort, MI
F 34 Danny Kolp 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jr Northwood University Petoskey, MI
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: October 14, 2021

Schedule and results edit

Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
November 6, 2021*
1:00 pm
Kalamazoo W 77–47 
 16  Etchison   6  McMillan   3  Tie  University Arena (1,185)
Kalamazoo, MI
Non-conference regular season
November 10, 2021*
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Hope W 76–58  1–0
 23  Norman Jr.   10  Hastings   3  Norman Jr.  University Arena (1,442)
Kalamazoo, MI
November 12, 2021*
6:30 pm, BTN
at Michigan State L 46–90  1–1
 13  Smith   8  Hastings   3  Etchison  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
November 18, 2021*
7:00 pm, ESPN3/ESPN+
Saginaw Valley State L 63–80  1–2
 25  Norman Jr.   7  Tie   5  Martin  University Arena (1,208)
Kalamazoo, MI
November 22, 2021*
8:30 pm, BTN
at Iowa L 61–109  1–3
 19  Norman Jr.   7  Wright   5  Smith  Carver-Hawkeye Arena (10,044)
Iowa City, IA
November 26, 2021*
7:00 pm, ESPN+
at Florida Gulf Coast
Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Invitational
L 67–77  1–4
 24  Norman Jr.   8  Hastings   4  Norman Jr.  Alico Arena (1,962)
Fort Myers, FL
November 27, 2021*
4:30 pm
vs. Purdue Fort Wayne
Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Invitational
W 93–85 OT 2–4
 20  Martin   8  McMillan   5  Smith  Alico Arena (212)
Fort Myers, FL
November 28, 2021*
1:30 pm
vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Invitational
W 81–77 OT 3–4
 31  Norman Jr.   12  Hastings   3  Martin  Alico Arena (212)
Fort Myers, FL
December 5, 2021*
2:00 pm, ESPN3/ESPN+
Valparaiso L 60–71  3–5
 13  Norman Jr.   9  Smith   3  Etchison  University Arena (1,883)
Kalamazoo, MI
December 11, 2021*
1:00 pm
Detroit Mercy L 64–83  3–6
 13  Smith   9  Wright   3  Norman Jr.  University Arena (1,873)
Kalamazoo, MI
December 17, 2021*
7:00 pm, ESPN3/ESPN+
Aquinas W 67–56  4–6
 17  Norman Jr.   10  Smith   2  Martin  University Arena (1,408)
Kalamazoo, MI
December 20, 2021*
7:00 pm, ACCN
at Notre Dame L 52–85  4–7
 15  Norman Jr.   8  Hastings   2  Smith  Purcell Pavilion (4,903)
South Bend, IN
MAC regular season
December 29, 2021
7:00 pm, ESPN3
at Toledo L 56–83  4–8
(0–1)
 10  Norman Jr.   18  Hastings   2  Hastings  Savage Arena (4,028)
Toledo, OH
January 1, 2022
3:30 pm, ESPN3
Ohio L 47–59  4–9
(0–2)
 21  Norman Jr.   14  Hastings   2  Hastings  University Arena (1,353)
Kalamazoo, MI
January 4, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN+
Eastern Michigan L 79–85  4–10
(0–3)
 34  Norman Jr.   11  Wright   4  Norman Jr.  University Arena (1,119)
Kalamazoo, MI
January 11, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Buffalo L 64–78  4–11
(0–4)
 12  Hastings   6  Lobsinger   4  Smith  University Arena (1,226)
Kalamazoo, MI
January 15, 2022
2:00 pm, ESPN+
Miami (OH) L 62–70  4–12
(0–5)
 26  Norman Jr.   9  Hastings   3  Freeman  University Arena (1,588)
Kalamazoo, MI
January 18, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN3
at Akron L 73–74  4–13
(0–6)
 23  White   8  Hastings   4  Norman Jr.  James A. Rhodes Arena (1,611)
Akron, OH
January 22, 2022
2:00 pm, ESPN3
Bowling Green L 75–82  4–14
(0–7)
 20  Norman Jr.   13  Hastings   4  White  University Arena (1,462)
Kalamazoo, MI
January 25, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN3
at Kent State L 64–75  4–15
(0–8)
 22  Norman Jr.   14  Hastings   4  Smith  MAC Center (2,134)
Kent, OH
January 29, 2022
3:30 pm, ESPN3
at Ball State L 72–83  4–16
(0–9)
 22  Norman Jr.   9  Hastings   3  White  Worthen Arena (3,786)
Muncie, IN
February 1, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Northern Illinois L 56–75  4–17
(0–10)
 24  Norman Jr.   12  Hastings   3  White  University Arena (1,217)
Kalamazoo, MI
February 3, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN3
at Central Michigan
Rescheduled from January 8
L 55–65  4–18
(0–11)
 18  Norman Jr.   10  Hastings   1  4 tied  McGuirk Arena (1,700)
Mount Pleasant, MI
February 5, 2022
2:00 pm, ESPN3
at Ohio L 64–77  4–19
(0–12)
 30  Norman Jr.   10  Hastings   3  White  Convocation Center (7,588)
Athens, OH
February 8, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN3
at Miami (OH) L 57–62  4–20
(0–13)
 12  Norman Jr.   8  Hastings   2  2 tied  Millett Hall (1,285)
Oxford, OH
February 12, 2022
2:00 pm, ESPN+
Central Michigan W 77–63  5–20
(1–13)
 25  Norman Jr.   8  Hastings   5  Etchison  University Arena (2,072)
Kalamazoo, MI
February 15, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Akron W 61–57 OT 6–20
(2–13)
 19  Norman Jr.   11  Hastings   4  White  University Arena (1,269)
Kalamazoo, MI
February 19, 2022
3:30 pm, ESPN3
at Buffalo L 73–87  6–21
(2–14)
 23  Norman Jr.   8  Hastings   4  Etchison  Alumni Arena (4,666)
Amherst, NY
February 22, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN3
Toledo L 50–92  6–22
(2–15)
 9  2 tied   7  2 tied   3  Hastings  University Arena (1,660)
Kalamazoo, MI
February 26, 2022
5:00 pm, ESPN3
at Bowling Green W 78–67  7–22
(3–15)
 16  Norman Jr.   9  Hastings   3  White  Stroh Center (2,825)
Bowling Green, OH
March 1, 2022
7:00 pm, ESPN+
at Eastern Michigan W 71–60  8–22
(4–15)
 35  Norman Jr.   7  White   4  White  George Gervin GameAbove Center (1,311)
Ypsilanti, MI
March 4, 2022
6:00 pm, ESPN+
Ball State L 63–64  8–23
(4–16)
 16  Smith   12  Hastings   4  Norman Jr.  University Arena (1,570)
Kalamazoo, MI
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern.

Sources[5][6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Western Michigan men's basketball coach Clayton Bates steps down after two seasons". Detroit Free Press. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  2. ^ Knight, Kevin (April 5, 2022). "Longtime Michigan State assistant Dwayne Stephens leaves for Western Michigan". BT Powerhouse. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  3. ^ Ford, Ryan (February 28, 2021). "Why Michigan's three teams will have a lot less MAC-tion in March". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  4. ^ Cobb, David (April 28, 2021). "NCAA Board of Directors ratifies one-time transfer legislation allowing athletes immediate eligibility". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "2021–22 Men's Basketball Schedule". Western Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  6. ^ "2021–22 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved October 15, 2021.