2023-24 VU Men's Basketball News
VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University men’s basketball sophomores Kris and Kent King (Washington, D.C.) announced their plans for the upcoming season by signing with NCAA Division II Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii. “What led me to choose Chaminade was the way they made me feel home away from home and their will to want to see me win and succeed,” Kent King said. “My favorite memory at VU would be when we went to Hutch as a team and got to compete there.” “It means a lot to play with my brother at the next level,” Kent added. “It was definitely a goal of mine, however, I just wanted to find the best situation and that was what I found in Chaminade.”
VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University sophomore Karyiek Dixon (Enfield, London, UK) announced earlier this week that he has signed to continue his basketball career next season at NCAA Division II Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan. “Emporia State is where I have decided to continue my basketball career,” Dixon said. “Coach Billeter won a National Championship in 2016 and is aiming for another one. That is a goal we share, similar to how it was at VU. Coach Franklin is a Hall of Fame Coach, who also won a National Championship and over the two years I played at VU, we competed to try to win another one and went to Hutch both years.” Dixon made a major improvement in his sophomore season, being a key figure in the Trailblazers front court, averaging 8.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 29 starts for VU.
VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University men’s basketball sophomore Victor Lado (Louisville, Ky.) announced over the weekend that he plans to continue his athletic and academic career next season at NCAA Division II Colorado State University-Pueblo. “From the day that CSU-P first reached out, the love I got from them felt different and genuine,” Lado said. “They weren’t just only caught up on basketball, they were interested in me as a person. That caught my eye almost immediately. Not only Head Coach Matt Hammer, but all the way down to the assistants as well.” “They also have some of the best facilities and living conditions in the country in addition to being one of the best environments to play across the whole RMAC conference,” Lado added. “In the classroom is no different. As 14 of 15 players finished their year with a 3.0 GPA or higher, which speaks great volumes. I am excited to be a ThunderWolf and can’t wait to get on campus.”
VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University All-American and 2024 NJCAA Central District Tournament MVP Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.) announced on social media earlier this week that he has committed to playing next season at NCAA Division I Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. “I committed to Missouri State University because I developed a bond with the head coach, assistant coach and the rest of the coaching staff,” Osei-Bonsu said. “I loved the campus and I felt like that’s where my heart was telling me to go.” Osei-Bonsu guided the Trailblazers to a combined 60-10 record over the last two seasons, including two trips to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament and a berth in the Elite Eight as a freshman.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The No. 4 Vincennes University Trailblazers fell in the opening game of the 2024 NJCAA Division I National Championship tournament in Hutchinson Tuesday afternoon, falling to No. 13 Odessa College 58-56. Both teams really struggled to get their footing early on and would prove to be a preview of what would ultimately be a very tough defensive battle. The two teams traded baskets for most of the first half, with the lead changing hands five times and the score being tied an additional six times throughout the first 20 minutes of play.
VINCENNES, Ind. – Honors and recognitions came in big time for the 2024 Region 24 and Central District Champion Vincennes University men’s basketball team, with VU sophomores Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.), Kris King (Washington, D.C.) and freshman Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) earning All-Region 24 honors. The first Trailblazer recognized was VU leading scorer Lebron Thomas, who led the Trailblazers by averaging 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Thomas got off to a great start to the season with 20 points, nine assist and seven rebounds in the Trailblazers win over Monroe College in November.
INA, Ill. – The No. 4-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers punched their ticket to the 2024 NJCAA Division I National tournament Friday night by winning over Wabash Valley College 73-67 to claim VU’s first District tournament championship since 2018. VU sophomore Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.) also took home some hardware of his own, earning tournament MVP honors after scoring 56 points and grabbing 36 rebounds over the three-game tournament. Vincennes Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin also received the 2023-24 NJCAA Division I Region 24 Coach of the Year award Friday night.
INA, Ill. – The No. 4-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers clinched their spot in Friday night’s 2024 Region 24/Central District Championship with an 84-68 victory over defending NJCAA National Champion John A. Logan College. The Trailblazers got an outstanding night out of sophomore Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.) who finished with a career-high 33 points, 15 rebounds and six steals for VU. Vincennes earned a spot in Friday’s Region 24 Championship game and will play for an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division I National tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.
INA, Ill. – The No. 4-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers opened their postseason play Monday afternoon at the 2024 Region 24/Central District Tournament hosted by Rend Lake College. The Blazers earned the No. 1 seed in the tournament after winning the 2023-24 Region 24 regular season championship and began tournament play against the No. 9 seed Lincoln Trail Statesmen. Vincennes jumped out on the Statesmen early and were able to lead the entire way as the Blazers picked up the 80-54 victory and advance to Wednesday night’s semi-finals.
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University men’s basketball team climbed up one spot this week in the final NJCAA Division I National Rankings for the 2023-24 season to No. 4 in the country. The Blazers closed down the 2023-24 regular season Tuesday night in the Physical Education Complex on Sophomore night and came away with an 84-65 victory over the Kaskaskia College Blue Devils. VU sophomore Kris King (Washington, D.C.) caught fire from behind the arc in the second half Tuesday night, connecting on six of eight three-point shots and scored 20 of his career-high 26 points in the second half.
MT. CARMEL, Ill. – The No. 5-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers appear to be rounding into form as of late and Saturday night’s 78-51 victory at Wabash Valley College was no exception. The Trailblazers jumped on the host Warriors early with the help of a 16-1 scoring run and were able to cruise through the second half to pick up the 27-point victory. VU got off to a fast start Saturday night at Wabash Valley, working the ball inside and finding open outside shots to put together a 16-1 scoring run to jump out to a big 20-6 lead over the Warriors early in the first half.
ROBINSON, Ill. – The Vincennes University men’s basketball team jumped up three spots in this week’s NJCAA Division I National rankings, getting back into the top-five at No. 5 this week. VU’s first test since getting back into the top five was a short road trip to Robinson, Ill. to face off against the Lincoln Trail College Statesmen. The Trailblazers were able to hold the Statesmen offense a bay, allowing just 52 points as VU came away with the wire-to-wire 93-52 victory.
VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University freshman Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) came through for the Blazers when they needed him the most Saturday night, hitting 11 of 12 second half free throws to help the No. 8-ranked VU Trailblazers pick up an 87-79 victory over Olney Central College. With this win, the Trailblazers now move in front of the Blue Knights, gaining a half-game lead over Olney Central for the top spot in the Region 24 standings. The Trailblazers were also without Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin Saturday night, who was serving a one game suspension after being ejected from Wednesday night’s win over Southwestern Illinois.
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers were looking for a bounce back win in a big way Wednesday night after falling in overtime on the road last Saturday and falling to No. 8 in this week’s NJCAA Division I National Rankings. The Trailblazers came out looking to make a statement against the Southwestern Illinois College Blue Storm inside the Physical Education Complex and were able to come away with a very strong wire-to-wire 88-57 win. Vincennes got off to a quick start Wednesday night, jumping out to a 9-2 lead early in the game.
CARTERVILLE, Ill. – The No. 4-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers hit the road Saturday afternoon for another tough Region 24 matchup against the defending NJCAA Division I National Champion John A. Logan Volunteers. The Trailblazers looked to be rolling towards another victory midway through the second half holding a 57-42 lead over the Vols, before the Volunteers turned it on late and rode the crowd’s momentum to a 72-71 overtime victory over the Blazers. VU looked to have possibly turned a corner early on Saturday afternoon against the Volunteers, opening the game by scoring nine of the first 12 points to hold an early six point lead.
VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 5-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers made a few changes to the starting lineup Saturday afternoon against Lake Land College from Mattoon, Ill. and the Blazers jumped out to an early 16 point first half lead. The Lakers battled back to cut the deficit to six at halftime but the Trailblazers were able to go wire-to-wire to pick up the 66-58 victory over Lake Land. VU got off to an excellent start Saturday afternoon, scoring the first seven points of the game and later using a 10-0 scoring run to build a 20-4 advantage midway through the first half.
