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Rockhurst University Athletics

Rich Byhre

Men's Basketball

Hawks open new season with improved athleticism

Rich Byhre averaged 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last year.
The Rockhurst men's basketball team heads into the start of the 2022-23 season this weekend with plenty of experience and a surplus of new talent.

Coach Drew Diener begins his eighth season at Rockhurst with seven returnees who started multiple games last year and seven talented newcomers.

"We have changed some things offensively to help our returners," Diener said. "We feel we have a lot of guys who can help us and give us different looks. These young guys have a chance to get into the starting lineup if they get better defensively."

The top returners are junior guard Jake Auer and junior forward Rich Byhre. Auer scored 12.4 points and ranked fourth in the GLVC in 3-point field goals made (2.8 per game). Byhre averaged 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last year.

"Jake and Rich have proven they can be high-level scorers in the league," Diener said. "Auer is an elite shooter with a huge motor. Rich is a weapon on multiple sides of the floor. They are both determined to have a good year on the defensive end."

Also returning in the backcourt are senior Jihad Thornton, and juniors Nick Arensberg and Aidan Clarey. The trio combined for 26 starts and 303 points last year.

The Hawks' guard play will be bolstered with the addition of five newcomers. Sophomore Davit Kakushadze practiced with the team last year while sitting out the season as a transfer. Freshmen Davit Abuladze and Miles White will contribute, along with junior-college transfers Nico Felici and Makye Loggins.

"(Kakushadze) is a really good scorer and passer. He has great size and athleticism," Diener said. "(Aduladze) is a big point guard who can really pass and should be a good weapon for us. Miles is a great athlete and knows how to guard. Nico is a good mid-range jump shooter and all-around solid guard. Makye can change a game with his speed and aggression defensively."

Joining Byhre in the frontcourt are Charlie Hoehne, Rron Thaci, Connor Renard, Timaris Brown and Tyler DeGroote. Brown and DeGroote are freshmen.

"Our athleticism has improved a lot. We have guys who can really get on the glass and play above the rim," Diener said. "We have a lot of offensive talent, but we need to become a better defensive team and treat every possession like it's a huge possession."

The Hawks open the season in the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge against Purdue Northwest (Friday at 7 p.m.) and Davenport (Saturday at 1 p.m.). Conference play begins on Nov. 28 at home against Maryville.
 
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Players Mentioned

Nick Arensberg

#50 Nick Arensberg

G
6' 3"
Junior
Jake Auer

#4 Jake Auer

G
6' 0"
Junior
Rich Byhre

#33 Rich Byhre

F
6' 8"
Redshirt Junior
Aidan Clarey

#1 Aidan Clarey

G
6' 0"
Junior
Charlie Hoehne

#12 Charlie Hoehne

F
6' 7"
Senior
Davit Kakushadze

#2 Davit Kakushadze

G
6' 6"
Sophomore
Connor Renard

#42 Connor Renard

C
6' 7"
Sophomore
Rron Thaci

#11 Rron Thaci

F
6' 5"
Sophomore
Jihad Thornton

#20 Jihad Thornton

G
5' 8"
Senior
Davit Abuladze

#3 Davit Abuladze

G
6' 6"
Freshman
Timaris Brown

#30 Timaris Brown

F
6' 5"
Freshman
Tyler DeGroote

#23 Tyler DeGroote

F
6' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nick Arensberg

#50 Nick Arensberg

6' 3"
Junior
G
Jake Auer

#4 Jake Auer

6' 0"
Junior
G
Rich Byhre

#33 Rich Byhre

6' 8"
Redshirt Junior
F
Aidan Clarey

#1 Aidan Clarey

6' 0"
Junior
G
Charlie Hoehne

#12 Charlie Hoehne

6' 7"
Senior
F
Davit Kakushadze

#2 Davit Kakushadze

6' 6"
Sophomore
G
Connor Renard

#42 Connor Renard

6' 7"
Sophomore
C
Rron Thaci

#11 Rron Thaci

6' 5"
Sophomore
F
Jihad Thornton

#20 Jihad Thornton

5' 8"
Senior
G
Davit Abuladze

#3 Davit Abuladze

6' 6"
Freshman
G
Timaris Brown

#30 Timaris Brown

6' 5"
Freshman
F
Tyler DeGroote

#23 Tyler DeGroote

6' 7"
Freshman
F