ST. JOSEPH – Griffon Men's Basketball team starts the 2016-2017 season this weekend when they host the 20^th annual Hillyard Tip-Off Classic.  Missouri Western returns five players from last year's team that made the quarterfinals of the MIAA Championship Tournament. 

All-MIAA guard Aaron Emmanuel will lead the Griffons again this season.  Emmanuel led the team averaging 30.4 minutes, 11.3 points per game and 4.2 assists per game.  MWSU also returns Cole Clearman who appeared in all 30 games last season.  For the season, Clearman averaged 7.5 points per game and shot 75% from the free throw line.

Scouting the Wildcats of Wayne State
Wayne State will be the first opponent for Missouri Western on the season.  The Wildcats will be led by first year head coach Jeff Kaminsky.  Wayne State returns four starters and nine letter winners, including Guard Matt Thomas who led the team in scoring at 16.5 points per game.

Scouting the Peacocks of Upper Iowa
Upper Iowa will be the Sunday afternoon opponent for the Griffons.  The Peacocks finished last season 9th in the sixteen team North Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  Back this season for UIU is Carson Parker, who started all 33 games and averaged 11.2 points per game with 87.9 free throw percentage.

Scouting the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State
Northwest Missouri will be the lone opponent in the Hillyard Classic to not face the Griffons.  The Bearcats were picked to win the MIAA this season.  Reigning MIAA Player of the Year Justin Pitts returns to the court for NMSU after averaging 21.7 points per game last year.