The official start of another college basketball season is here after it’s been a revolving door offseason at Monmouth University, but Hawks’ head coach King Rice is excited about how the chips fell.
In a world of NIL deals influencing players to hop in portals, leaving mid-major schools to have nearly a new look every year, the Hawks have been no exception. Monmouth lost three starters to the transfer portal: Abdi Bashir (to Kansas State) Madison Durr (to in-conference rival UNC Wilmington) and Jaret Valencia (to Wichita State).
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But the players that have stayed are projected to have an upward trajectory this year. Senior Jack Collins, has been named Preseason All-CAA Second Team. Junior Cornelius Robinson and senior Dok Muordar are also key returners who bring intensity on defense.
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“I don’t got no bogus guys right now,” Rice said. “Everybody’s bought in to what we’re trying to do so that makes it fun.”
Monmouth opens the season Tuesday, Nov. 4 at home (7 p.m.) against Division 2 Caldwell then visits LaSalle Saturday and has a Prudential Center game against Seton Hall Nov. 13. Monmouth’s other non-conference opponents include Princeton, Syracuse and Georgia Tech before turning to the CAA portion of the schedule.
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After an exhibition game against Division 3 school Rhode Island College on Oct. 20, Rice said the rotation roles were “all open right now.”
“Jack Collins is going to start, Kavion (McClain) is going to start. Dok (Muordar) got injured early, and then Stef (Spartalis, a 6-9 freshman) was doing so well with the white team that we just left him in there. Both of them are going to play. They’re different, so they both can get in there and do it. Dok, once he’s healthy, defensively I think he’ll be one of the best defensive centers,” he said.
Of course, McClain’s status has changed since. Potential rules infractions by McClain, a 5-8 senior transfer, are being reviewed by the NCAA and he will be out indefinitely, the school said Friday, Oct. 31.
Monmouth’s Jack Collins (13) and Andrew Ball celebrate during a 73-67 loss to Towson on Feb. 8, 2025 at OceanFirst Bank Center in West Long Branch, N.J.
Also from the transfer portal is Jason Rivera-Torres, a 6-7 Bronx native who played at Vanderbilt then San Francisco before becoming a Hawk. Andrew Ball will get important playing time this season. He’s been at Monmouth for four years. Jinup Doboul, a 6-8 transfer from the University of Portland was labeled “our most talented kid” by Rice.
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Other guys such as Anthony Martinez and Justin Ray have a chance to be solid pieces. Despite losing the best shooter in the conference last year in Bashir, Rice believes his team will have some hot nights.
“I got all these shooters this year,” Rice said. “I got dudes that can shoot the heck out the ball. We just didn’t shoot enough of ’em today. So if someone watching goes ‘they can’t shoot,’ oh lord, we’re going to have some nights where we’re going to make all of them. That’s what we worked on all summer, and it’s multiple guys. I think guys just got to get comfortable.”
Last season, the Hawks finished with a 13-20 record and 8-10 in the conference, tying for fifth place.
King Rice tosses up ball in practice (2025)
MUST-SEE GAMES
Nov. 13 at Seton Hall
It was the same month last year when the Hawks went into the Prudential Center and pulled off the 63-51 win over the Pirates. Bashir put his name on the map with six 3s in a 28-point performance.
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Nov. 18 at Syracuse
Syracuse has highly touted freshmen Sadiq White, who was ranked No. 27 as a high school senior, and No. 36 Kiyan Anthony, the son Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony.
Feb. 19 at UNCW
Monmouth gets to face former starter Madison Durr. Last year, Durr led the Hawks in assists and finished second in scoring with 12.5 points per game.
Feb. 21 at Charleston
After CAA quarterfinals 79-78 overtime loss at the hands of the Cougars, Monmouth would love some payback.
OUR PREDICTION
It’s never easy trying to predict how a team is going to do with so much turnover. However, Collins and Robinson are expected to have a big impact out the gate. The absence of McClain will be felt for sure and may throw a wrench in the Hawks’ plans. The Hawks are projected to finish fifth in the conference, but Rice is confident his team will be higher. The defense intensity has been there from the early looks. They have a shot blocker in the 7-1 Muordar, hustle guys (Ray, Collins, Robinson), depth, and a plethora of shooters.
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With a better overall group that looks like scoring will be more spread out than last year. The schedule early in the season has the Hawks with potential to gain momentum heading into league play. They’ll have tests against Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Towson, UNCW and Charleston. Overall, Monmouth has a solid chance to land higher than its projected fifth spot.
Final record: 16-15
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth men’s basketball season preview, prediction, must-watch games
