VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State University men's basketball team is set to begin the 2021-2022 season in the Gulf South Conference/ Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Challenge in Fort Valley, Ga.

The Blazers will open the season with Clark Atlanta on November 12 at 5 p.m. and then Fort Valley State on November 13 at 5 p.m., both inside the HPE Arena. Valdosta State returns six players to the team with Jacolbey Owens, Maurice Gordon, Cam Hamilton, Ricky Brown, Mohamed Fofana, and Jeremy Golson and looks to build off a successful 2020-2021 season. 

Last Season 

The Blazers had a stellar season last year, as it won its fifth-straight GSC regular season title and won its first ever Gulf South Conference Tournament title. The Blazers qualified for the NCAA regional for the fifth-straight season under head coach Mike Helfer, and finished the season with a 17-5 record overall and 14-4 in the GSC.  VSU finished 24th nationally in the final D2 SIDA Top 25. VSU averaged 85.32 points per game, a .466 field goal percentage and picked up 79 blocks, 177 steals and 866 rebounds. 

vs. Clark Atlanta 

The game marks only the second time the Blazers and Panthers have played each other. In 2005. the Blazers walked away with a 98-76 win in the 2005-2006 season. Two seasons ago, the Panthers went 14-16 on the year and fell 65-59 the SIAC Tournament semifinals and did not compete in the 2020-2021 season.

vs. Fort Valley State 

The game marks the 12th time the Blazers and Wildcats have faced each other. The wildcats did not compete last season, but went 7-22 in 2019. FVSU was predicted to come in sixth in the 2021-22 Preseason Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East poll. The team had an exhibition match against Mercer earlier this year and fell 93-61. Last time the Blazers faced the Wildcats, VSU won 109-81 in the 2019-2020 season at home. 

New Players

The Blazers have ten new players for this season. On the roster include high school standouts, a handful of JUCO products, and a division one transfer. A fresh new roster, in addition to the Blazers' core players give Helfer and his staff a solid foundation heading in to the season. 

From head coach Mike Helfer

"It's been nice having a 'normal' preseason," Helfer Said on the upcoming season. "We are back to a regular preseason routine which focuses on basics and learning our system. We have to get our new guys up to speed with what we expect. We have a great nucleus of players returning and our new guys will be great additions to what we are trying to accomplish here and that is to win the GSC." 

"We try to build our team and our system on players who are great people and great players," Helfer said on his returning core. "When you have those qualities, you have the ability to blend different personalities quicker and easier in my opinion.   We focus on caring about our teammates first and foremost and that will help us grow as a team.   It's always a challenge, but when they all come together for a great cause, it's exciting to watch."