Live Audio: Queens Sports Network
Phil Constantino (pxp)

Live Video: MIAA Network

Live Stats

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The seventh-ranked Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team opens the defense of its Southeast Region crown on Saturday afternoon as Queens meets William Jewell College in the first game of the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic presented by Hillyard. This will mark the first-ever meeting between the Royals and the Cardinals.

The Hall of Fame Classic field includes three of last year's four national semifinalists and the last two national champions. Other teams participating include Ferris State University, Northern State University, Northwest Missouri State University, Tarleton State University, Missouri Western University, and Fairmont State University.

Opening tipoff from St. Joseph Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Missouri is scheduled for 2 p.m. eastern.
 
Quick Facts

No. 7 Queens Royals
(Game Notes)

-Queens was ranked No. 7 nationally in the NABC/Division II Preseason Rankings marking the fourth consecutive year in which the Royals cracked the top 10 of the official coaches' poll. Queens has been featured in the rankings in every regular-season poll for the last 45 weeks, dating back to Nov. 24, 2015, the first poll of the 2015-2016 season.

-The Royals were picked No. 2 in the Conference's preseason poll receiving four first-place votes and 104 total points. The Royals were voted second only to Lincoln Memorial University who garnered seven first-place votes and 107 total points.

-Queens returns five letter winners from last year's regional championship team; Lewis Diankulu (17.2 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG), Shaun Willett (14.8 MPG, 9.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG), Daniel Carr (19.3 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 2.6 APG), Josh Brodowicz and Jonathan Horodyski. Diankulu is the only returning starter, while Carr (2) and Willett (1) both started at least one game last season. Diankulu, Carr, and Willett all saw time in all 36 contests.

-Willett and Carr were named preseason second-team all-conference selections, as voted by the League's coaches.

-The Royals add 10 newcomers to its quintet of returners for the 2018-2019 season. The class includes Division I transfer Jachai Taylor from Murray State University, Division II transfer Blake Morrow (12.7 PPG) from Eckerd College, junior college transfers Brandon Faison, Armoni Lee, Van Turner Jr, and Kevion Blaylock, and freshmen Jamari Smith, Jermaine Patterson, Kenny Dye and Chris Parks. Both Smith and Patterson were named their respective states' Players of the Year in high school.

-Head Coach Bart Lundy enters his sixth season since returning to Queens and his 11^th overall at the helm in Charlotte. In 16 years as a head coach in Division I and II, Lundy has posted an overall record of 328-168 (.661 win pct.) and a record at Queens of 232-81 (.741 win pct.). Lundy has led Queens to all three of its Elite Eight appearances.

-Brian Steele and Paul Davis join Lundy's staff as assistant coaches for the 2018-2019 season. Steele spent the last three years as an assistant at his alma mater, the University of South Carolina, where he made 50 appearances as a player but saw his career cut short due to injury. Davis also most recently coached at his alma mater, Winston-Salem State University, after a six-year professional playing career overseas. Grant Leonard returns as the Associate Head Coach for his sixth season in Charlotte.

William Jewell Cardinals

-Last season, William Jewell finished 20-9 overall, 10-8 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (3^rd place West Divison) and posted its best record since joining NCAA Division II. The Cardinals reached the GLVC postseason tournament for the first time since 2015.

-On Dec. 5, 2017, the Cardinals cracked the national rankings for the first time reaching No. 20 in the coaches' poll.

-William Jewell was picked seventh in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches' poll and returns 10 players from last year.

-Two all-conference performers return to Jewell's lineup, Pharroh Gordon and Keith Hayes. Last season, Gordon averaged a double-double with 14.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. He was named to the All-GLVC Second-Team and Defensive Teams. Hayes returns as the team's leading scorer after averaging 18.4 points per game en route to a second-team all-conference selection.

-Larry Holley is in his 40^th season as head coach at William Jewell.