Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University men's basketball team will tip-off their shortened, CCIW only season this weekend in Van Male Field House against Illinois Wesleyan at 7 PM.
 
The Pioneers enter this season after graduating five seniors from a year ago, three of which were starters and solid contributors. They make up the lost group by adding eight new freshmen to the squad, rounding out the roster to 16. Familiar faces including the lone Senior Tarren Hall and Junior Justin Gruber look to make larger impacts on the program after coming off the bench most of last season, "I'm really excited to be a leader on the team this year and help our team grow and improve each day," said Hall, "This year has taught me to live in the moment and never take anything for granted." Hall averaged 6.9 PPG on 41% shooting from the field, while Gruber facilitated the second group off the bench, appearing in all 25 games. 
 
Head coach Paul Combs, who enters his 8^th season with the Pioneers, looks to engage with a younger group, "This is the youngest team I have had in my 22 years as a head coach," said Combs, "with this said, we are very pleased with how we have come together on and off the court. Both Hall and Gruber have been terrific leaders all season through many challenges 2020 has provided. This group has a very bright future as Pios!"
 
Look for impacts from freshmen Tyler Miller, Josh Hudgens, Justin Steinike, and Ryan Mendoza. The four freshmen combined for five all-conference selections between them in their high school careers. Familiar faces returning including Rocco Ronzio, Carter Sturgeon, and Ethan Balinao. These returning sophomores appeared in 16, 15, and 11 games last season, respectively.
 
The Pioneers finished last season with a conference record of 5-11 after starting the regular season 7-1. 10 of those losses were by less than eight points to nationally ranked programs in the conference. "Our league year in and year out is competing for National Championships," said Combs, "This season is no different as many teams return a strong nucleus that will be contending in the NCAA Tournament come March."
 
Despite a tough back end of the season, Comb's defense stayed rock solid, allowing the fewest points per game from opponents since Combs became coach in 2013 with 63.5 per game. A +5.2 scoring margin was the highest it's been in the last five seasons.

Stay up to date on Pioneers men's basketball this season by going online to www.gopios.com, or by following the Pioneers on Facebook (Carroll University Athletics), Twitter (@pio_athletics), and Instagram (@pio_athletics).