MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's basketball team graduated the most prolific scorers in program history each of the past two seasons with Jordan Magnani (2018-23) and Cooper Kabela (2017-22) leaving behind more than 3,300 combined points.
 
"Now, some of our other guys will get their turn in bigger roles," said seventh-year head coach Dave Schlabaugh. "It might not be as easy without Cooper and Jordan, but I think we have a chance to be good again."
 
As do the eight other coaches in the conference.
 
The Rams are picked second in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 57 points and one first-place vote. Defending champion Illinois College is projected to repeat, receiving 64 points and eight first-place tallies.
 
Cornell has played in the MWC championship game the past two seasons, winning it in 2022. The Rams took second in the MWC last year with a 12-4 record and finished 15-12 overall. The team's 12 conference wins tied for the most in a season since 1969-70.
 
The Rams have key pieces back to be top contenders again, led by a pair of second team all-MWC performers in juniors Jayden Meeker and Zach Ingle. Meeker is one of the league's most versatile players, averaging 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals a season ago. He shot 44.7 percent from 3-point range.
 
The 6-foot-5 Ingle averaged 14.6 points and drained a team-high 60 3-pointers. He notched eight 20-point games and carried an 86.5-percent touch from the free throw line.
 
Senior Logan Christensen is a two-year returning starter in the guard court. He's totaled 265 rebounds and 113 assists over the past two seasons.
 
Juniors Julian Cleary, Jaxson Herring, Jacob King, Charlie Robinson and Brextyn Beard are among a host of Rams who will assume bigger roles this season. Cornell's rotation will also be bolstered by a pair of junior transfers in Connor Barnett (Carl Sandburg) and Dylan Hurley (Iowa Wesleyan).
 
"We change a little bit every year based on the personnel we have," Schlabaugh said. "The key for us is to try to become a better defensive team and fill the void on the leadership side. We've got to work hard every day if we want to be one of the best in the Midwest Conference."
 
The season tips off Wednesday with a 7:30 p.m. Bremner Cup home game against rival Coe inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center. MWC play begins Nov. 28 at home against Illinois College.