CLEVELAND, Ga. (Oct. 29, 2020) – The Truett McConnell University men's basketball season is set to begin on Friday, Oct. 30, at Toccoa Falls College. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. TMU's home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4, against Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Point University at 7:00 p.m.
 
"We are definitely excited just to know that playing basketball is a reality this season," Head Coach Jon Yeh said. "There will be plenty of challenges in terms of scheduling and games being moved, but the sheer fact that we get the privilege of competing this year is a blessing.
 
We have a nice blend of returners and rookies. We can legitimately say we have five starters returning from the past two seasons, including two of the top seven rebounders in the AAC from last season. So, we have some game experience as well as some individuals who can help teach bring the freshmen along."
 
Amongst the key group of returners are junior Enocka Franky and sophomore Marlon Allen. Franky claimed a spot on the All-AAC second team last season after averaging 17.15 points a game, which ranked third in the AAC, while also ranking fourth in the AAC in scoring with a total of 463 points. The sophomore forward recorded a total of nine double-doubles and finished the year out with a 56.4% field goal percentage, which also ranked him fourth in the AAC. Additionally, Franky led the AAC with an average of 3.26 offensive rebounds per game. Defensively, Franky ranked fourth in the AAC in total blocks (33) and most blocks per game (1.22).
 
Allen earned a spot on the All-AAC Freshmen Team after ranking within the top five in several AAC categories. The freshman forward recorded a total of eight double-doubles and ranked second in total rebounds per game (9.14), third in total rebounds (256) and third in defensive rebounds per game (6.75). On the offensive end, Allen's 2.39 average of offensive boards per game ranked sixth.
 
The Bears will also feature a total of 12 incomers.
 
"This is the probably the most athletic team I've coached at TMU, so we will change our defensive style accordingly," Yeh said. "Offensively, we need to build on our concepts of selflessness and awareness. There are huge challenges and unknowns for us in this fluid time, as there are for all of our programs. Our theme is 'Control.' Control what you can control and allow God to take care of the rest."
 
In the 2020-2021 AAC Coaches' Preseason Poll, the Bears were picked to finish 11th, while the reigning AAC champions, No. 24 Union College, is predicted to win it all.