Wayne State enters season No. 3 under head coach and Warrior alum, Bryan Smothers, in 2024-25. Smothers has accumulated an overall record of 22-32 including a mark of 12-24 in league action.
Last season, Smothers led WSU (14-15 overall, 7-11 GLIAC) to victory in five of the final seven regular season games before his first appearance in the GLIAC Tournament as head coach. Wayne State won on the road at Saginaw Valley State 75-74 in the regular season finale with a Carmelo Harris last-second buzzer beater in order to qualify. Then, playing as the seven seed, the Warriors knocked off second-seeded Lake Superior State 87-78 in Sault Ste. Marie. That triumph meant Wayne State had won its first GLIAC Tournament game since 2012, and its first opening round GLIAC Tournament game either on the road (or neutral site) since Feb. 25, 1999.
However, the Warriors came up short 91-81 against third-seeded Ferris State three days later in the semifinal round. The Bulldogs would go on to win the Midwest Region before falling to eventual National Champion Minnesota State in the Elite Eight.
Fast forward to this season and Wayne State returns three of five starters including 2023-24 Second Team All-GLIAC member Harris (team-leading 12.9 PPG), 2023-24 GLIAC All-Defensive Team member Ray Williams, Jr. (9.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG) and Tamario Adley (8.8 PPG, 3.1 APG). Also back are the reigning GLIAC Freshman of the Year Rob Lee, Jr. (12.6 PPG in GLIAC play), Jordan Briggs (played in all 29 games) and Kareem Aburashed (squad-best 20 blocks). All in all, the Warriors bring back 10 players, eight of which were letterwinners a season ago.
Looking at the 2024-25 schedule, the 28-game slate features 26 contests against NCAA Midwest Region foes, 20 games within GLIAC play and 14 home dates inside the Fieldhouse. It all kicks off at brand new GLVC member Lincoln (Mo.) on Friday, Nov. 8, the teams' first-ever meeting.
