MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's basketball program had many accolades come its way during a memorable 2021-22 season in which the Rams won 19 games, claimed the Midwest Conference Tournament title and made their first NCAA appearance since 2009.  
 
Despite the loss of two valuable multi-year starters, the Rams are positioned for sustained success under sixth-year head coach Dave Schlabaugh.
 
"We're confident that we're building the program and can continue heading in the right direction," Schlabaugh said. "This is a new year, and we have a lot to prove. The guys have a belief that we can be competitive. We have a chance to follow up a great year with another one."
 
The Rams are projected third in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 47 points. Defending regular-season champion Ripon, which Cornell beat in double overtime of last year's tournament final, is the favorite with 64 points and eight first-place votes.
 
Illinois College is picked second with 56 points. Grinnell is slotted fourth with 43 points and one first-place nod. The top four teams qualify for the MWC Tournament Feb. 24-25.
 
The Rams return eight of their top 10 players who saw significant minutes last season. The squad is anchored by fifth-year guard Jordan Magnani, who earned first team all-MWC recognition in 2021-22. Magnani is among the league's most versatile players, averaging 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals while draining 36 3-point goals and shooting 81.9 percent from the foul line.
 
Magnani has started 87 games for the Rams. He ranks in Cornell's career top 10 in 3-pointers made (139 – sixth), free throws made (269 – seventh), free throw percentage (80.5 – seventh) and assists (287 – seventh). Magnani stands 13th on the all-time scoring list with 1,196 points.
 
"Jordan turned out to be our best recruit this offseason," Schlabaugh said. "He has been valuable in so many ways for our program. I anticipate Jordan having his best year in his fifth season."
 
Senior 6-foot-9 center Logan Sharp (8.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) is back to patrol the paint after hitting 59.1 percent from the field last season. Sharp ranks No. 2 on Cornell's career list for field goal percentage. Junior guard Logan Christensen (6.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) returns to the starting guard court, dishing 58 assists a year ago.
 
Seniors Izic Mackey, Trevor Boge and rising sophomores Jayden Meeker, Zach Ingle and Julian Cleary were key pieces to last year's team, all playing at least 23 games. The 2022-23 rotation is also bolstered by the additions of transfers Jeremy Durdan (Elmhurst) and Jaxson Herring (William Penn).
 
"We're excited about the players we've added and the development of others," Schlabaugh said. "There are opportunities for players to step up and take on bigger roles. It will take some time for them to grow into expanded roles."
 
The 2021-22 Rams set school records for most points scored (2,132) and 3-pointers made (223) in a season. They have major production to fill with the departures of all-time scoring leader Cooper Kabela (1,647 points) and four-year starter Marcus Quirk (939 points).
 
Cornell tips off the season Wednesday with a 7:30 p.m. road game against rival Coe. The Rams host Eureka at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 for the home opener.
 
MWC play gets underway Nov. 29 at Illinois College. The Rams have a five-game homestand from Dec. 7-17 before heading into Christmas break.