WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 6, 2018) – Circumstances often dictate actions, and the 2017-18 season for the King's College men's basketball team was a prime example of this. The Monarchs went into the campaign having to deal with the loss of many of their big men, and then lost even more once the season started. Due to this, Monarch head coach JP Andrejko, now in his 18^th year on the sidelines at King's, was forced to change his attack to get the most out of the team.

The squad, which at times was playing four or five guards, switched to a run and press style which valued turnovers and shot making. Understanding the personnel that he had, it was definitely a great move that ended up helping King's to 10 wins and six Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) victories.

The Monarchs made a whopping 251 three-pointers last season, which was tops in the MAC Freedom while their three-point percentage of .357 was second-highest in the league. KC averaged 10 three-point makes a game, leading the league, while pacing the circuit in scoring with 80 points per game. But with the style of play came the chance to give up points, and the Monarchs at times struggled to contain teams, averaging 85 points allowed per game.

Teams shot over 50 percent against King's last year, as opposition looked to dump the ball into the post against the smaller Monarchs while also getting odd-man chances after beating the press. Fast forward a year, and King's is finding itself in much different circumstances. The team will feature four players that are 6-5 or taller, which includes getting forwards Andrew Hudak and Joe Lonardi back this year.

That size will allow the Monarchs to still employ the press and trap at times but can go back to defending traditionally in the half court due to the size down low and the shot blocking ability of the bigs. In practice thus far, the guards have done a great job of funneling things to the middle and the communication between both forwards and guards has been great.

The good thing too for the Monarchs is that the experience playing at such a hectic pace last year will allow Andrejko and his staff the ability to change things up if need be. Though leading scorers Connor Callejas and Chris Fazzini are gone now, the Monarchs return starting wing Tyler Millan along with starting guards and elite defenders Noah Tanner and Joshua Bailey. Those three will be the leaders of a team that has seven freshmen on the team, along with a transfer as well.

GUARDS
The guard play of the Monarchs looks to be a strength this season, as Tanner, Millan and Bailey are back after getting a ton of time last season. Millan is the top returning scorer for the Monarchs, as he features a smooth left-handed jump shot and good court vision for a wing. Millan shot 40.5 percent from deep last year, averaging 9.8 points per game while starting all 25 games.

Bailey, now in his junior season, started all but one game last season as a sophomore and averaged 7.9 points per game. Despite being a big threat on offense, the best quality of the junior guard is his tenacious and intense defense that he brings to the court each night. Bailey was second in the conference in steals last season with 51, as one of just two players in the league to average more than two thefts per night. His attitude, leadership and motor are worth the price of admission by itself.

Now in his sophomore season, Tanner had an effective season as a newcomer last year but was still learning the point guard role that Andrejko needed him to play. After a year of seasoning, Tanner has come into the preseason with a calmness and confidence that has the coaches excited. Tanner was third in the conference last year in steals with 48 and led the team with 65 assists. Look for that number to grow this year, along with his 9.3 points per game average.

The competition for guard minutes alongside those three will be interesting to see, as five freshman and three sophomores try to carve out a role this season. Freshman Kevin Hunter has looked very strong in preseason, showing the ability to get to the rim and knock down the jump shot. Hunter also is long and athletic and can play with and without the ball.

Fellow newcomer JJ Glinsky, from the same high school (Mid Valley HS, Throop, PA) as Tanner, has been one of the most consistent shooters for the Monarchs in camp. Glinsky can play both on the ball as a point guard, but also moves well without the ball and creates shots even when he doesn't have it in his hands. He will be a threat offensively, especially from downtown.

Freshman guard Joey Lindsay is a strong shooter as well, playing primarily the two-guard, and fellow newcomer Patrick Galvin is fundamentally-sound, smart, consistent point guard that makes the game look simple at times. Sophomore Brad Kalinowski, a transfer from nearby Marywood University, is a physical scoring guard that can get into the paint and finish.

Sophomore Victory Nyanway has worked hard to improve his offensive game, and it's shown in practice so far. Nyanway has extended his range to beyond the three-point line after getting into eight games as a freshman in 2017-18.
Freshman Chandler Wreh can play both guard spots, moves the ball well and slashes through the lane well. Wreh has a strong first step, and also defends well with his length and work rate. Sophomore Jack Brewster will also battle for minutes in the crowded backcourt, playing in seven games last season while hitting three of his eight shots as a newcomer in 2017-18.

FORWARDS
The Monarchs return no starting forwards from last year's team, but that doesn't tell the entire story of this year's group. Now junior Andrew Hudak missed all of last season but returns after starting 11 games as a freshman in 2016-17. Hudak was second on that team in blocks with 14 and pulled down 4.1 rebounds per game in just 16 minutes per contest.

Also back this season is Joe Lonardi, who started the first six games of last season and averaged 8.2 points and 6.0 rebounds as a sophomore. Lonardi is listed as 6-4, but has great hands, plays with good leverage and can pull opposing defenders away from the rim with his ability to shoot and pass. He will be a big part of the rotation this season up front.

Senior James Willis started three games last season and got into 21 games as a junior, averaging 3.7 points per game. Willis is long and athletic and is a pain to keep out of the paint on offense and gets a ton of looks because of his strong ability to run the court. Willis also rebounds well outside of his area and will look for time at both forward positions.

Sophomore Pat Mitchell got into 23 games last season as a 6-5 local product out of Pittston Area High School, and he continues to look more and more confident on the court each day. Mitchell led the team last year in field goal percentage with a .491 clip, much in part to his soft touch around the rim and his good hands.  

Junior Tony Maloney could wind up being an "X" factor for the Monarchs this year thanks to his ability to shoot from the outside. Maloney has unlimited range on his shot, making 30 threes last season which was third-most on the team behind Millan and Callejas. Maloney will be used as a stretch 4 most times but could be a big problem for opposing defenses if he gets going.

Freshman Jake Pawliczak has looked like the real deal so far in the fall practices and in preseason. An athletic 6-7 forward, Pawliczak could push his way into immediate minutes as he has great feet, moves well on the blocks and runs the floor great. He has also a strong rebounder and will be a rim defender for King's this season.

Fellow freshman big Grayson Waldron has good athleticism and strength and his potential is certainly there. The big man will need some time to adjust to the collegiate game, but his raw tools and motor make him a candidate to contribute throughout the year.

COACHING STAFF
Andrejko will have a staff that he is comfortable and confident with, as his brother Jeff returns to the sidelines for yet another season. The two work well together as you would expect a pair of siblings to, as Jeff focuses on the defensive concepts for the squad. Fellow assistant Rich Gray joined the coaching staff at King's two years after the Andrekjos and has been a valuable cog for the Monarchs over his 16 seasons on the bench.

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King's will start its season on the road November 8 at Penn State Hazleton Thursday at 7 p.m. in Hazleton, PA, opening its home slate November 13 at 7 p.m. against Muhlenberg College in McGrane Gymnasium.