MOREHEAD, Ky. (FOX 56) — The Morehead State men’s basketball team was picked as the OVC preseason favorite before the 2022-23 season, and backed it up by winning the regular season championship. They will hope to do the same this year.
The Eagles were nearly the unanimous pick to win the league, grabbing 20 of 22 first place votes. The good news kept coming their way when Mark Freeman was named OVC preseason player of the year and Drew Thelwell also earning a spot on the preseason all-OVC team.
Freeman won conference player of the year last season with elite guard play, leading the team in scoring, assists, free throw percentage and steals. His stats got better in conference play with six games of 20 or more points in OVC play.
“We have our very first practice in June, and 2 minutes into practice, the reigning player of the year diving for a loose ball on the floor without us asking him to do it. That sets the tone for your team and so those are things that are very valuable when you got a guy of his caliber of his success, willing to, you know, have that humility and that toughness to set the tone for your team,” Morehead State head men’s basketball coach Preston Spradlin said.
While basketball season is almost here, his life has been blessed with a baby boy and is now balancing basketball with fatherhood.
“After these hard practices coach P (Preston Spradlin) put together, going home to see my little one is always a blessing you know always making me smile so it’s good,” Freeman said.
The Eagles women’s team was picked to finish 9th in the coaches and media polls. Senior guard Veronica Charles earned a spot on the preseason all-OVC team after winning defensive player of the year last season.
Morehead State opens the season on November 6 in an exhibition at Alabama. The women’s team opens with an exhibition against Kentucky State at home on October 24.
