HL Media Day On ESPN3
Horizon League Release
Titans At HL Press Conference
 
CHICAGO (10/14/2015) -- Sophomore Paris Bass was named to the Horizon League Preseason First Team and the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball squad was voted fourth as the conference held its annual Media Day in Chicago on Tuesday.
 
The event was held at the Hilton Rosemont Chicago O'Hare hotel and was streamed live on ESPN3.
 
Besides the preseason teams and poll, the conference office also released the official championship logo for the 2016 Horizon League Championship, which will be held in downtown Detroit at Joe Louis Arena.
 
The Titans totaled 289 points – including one first place vote – in the preseason poll, trailing only Valparaiso (418), Oakland (368) and Milwaukee (344). Wright State (253), Green Bay (215), Cleveland State (173), UIC (125), Youngstown State (93) and Northern Kentucky (87) rounded out the preseason predictions.
 
Bass – the reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Year - averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 assist per game as a rookie. He led the Titans in rebounding and blocked shots (35) and was second on the team in scoring and tied for second in assists. His 12.4 points is the fifth-highest scoring average by a returning player in the conference.
 
An all-around player, Bass -- who twice appeared on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day -- posted a team-best four double-doubles. He notched double digits in scoring in 23 of his 33 games with five or more rebounds in 20 contests and four or more assists six times.
 
Media Day started with a presentation from Olympia Entertainment followed by focus group on the men's basketball tournament. After lunch, the coaches and student-athletes took center stage for photo and media opportunities.
 
The Titans will have a busy week ahead as they host "Talkin' Hoops In The D" on Thursday, Oct. 15. Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy will be the featured guest at the gala held right on campus. For more information on that event, click here.
 
On Friday, Oct. 16, Detroit will host "Hoop Night In The D", the annual celebration to begin the college basketball year. That event is free and open to all students, fans, alumni and as well as the entire Motor City community.
 
Detroit will officially host its Media Day on Tuesday, Oct. 20, inside historic Calihan Hall from 12-3:00 p.m. Media members who wish to come to the event can RSVP to P.J. Gradowski at gradowpj@udmercy.edu.
 
Preseason Poll
1. Valparaiso (36) – 418
2. Oakland (6) – 368
3. Milwaukee – 344
4. Detroit (1)  – 289
5. Wright State – 253
6. Green Bay – 215
7. Cleveland State – 173
8. UIC – 125
9. Youngstown State – 93
10. Northern Kentucky – 87
 
Preseason Player of the Year:
Kahlil Felder, Oakland
 
Preseason All-League First Team
Kahlil Felder, Oakland (Jr., G)
Alec Peters, Valparaiso (Jr., F)
Matt Tiby, Milwaukee (Sr., F)
Paris Bass, Detroit (So., G/F)
Jordan Fouse, Green Bay (Sr., F)
 
Preseason All-League Second Team
Bobby Hain, Youngstown State (Sr., C)
JT Yoho, Wright State (Sr., F)
Vashil Fernandez, Valparaiso (Sr., C)
Tevonn Walker, Valparaiso (So., G)
Darien Walker, Valparaiso (Sr., G)