Warrior Men's Basketball Shows Depth, Energy in Exhibition at Detroit Mercy
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Wayne State University’s Warrior men’s basketball team used its exhibition at Detroit Mercy on Oct. 28 at Calihan Hall to showcase depth, tempo and defensive intensity in the program’s first public test of the 2024-25 season.
With no impact on the season record, the exhibition served as an extended dress rehearsal for the Warriors, who mixed returning experience with several new faces in front of a Detroit crowd. Head coach Carrie Lohr and her staff used the matchup to experiment with rotations, test pressure schemes and evaluate how the roster responds to game-speed situations against an NCAA Division I opponent.
In the backcourt, the Warriors relied on a guard-heavy rotation that emphasized ball pressure and transition opportunities. Detroit native Jordan Briggs helped set the early tone with his quickness and on-ball defense, while fellow guards JaKobie Boose and Jon Brantley provided additional ball-handling and perimeter shooting. With multiple guards capable of initiating the offense, Wayne State consistently looked to push the ball after defensive rebounds and turnovers, forcing an up-tempo pace throughout the first half.
On the wings and in the paint, Wayne State focused on physicality and rebounding to match Detroit Mercy’s size. Forwards such as Marcus Bentley, Bryce Esman and Carlos Paul III battled on the glass, working in concert with frontcourt presence Nate Talbot and center Matt Coffey to contest shots at the rim and limit second-chance opportunities. The Warriors frequently collapsed into the lane to wall off drives, then sprinted back out to challenge perimeter attempts, a defensive approach that will remain critical once regular-season play begins.
The exhibition also provided opportunities for several newcomers and transfers to gain valuable floor time in a hostile environment. Guards Justice Gordon and Cortez Jackson, along with wings such as Avery Lewis and Tyree Martin, were able to log meaningful minutes against pressure defense, learn timing within the offensive sets and adjust to the physicality of the college game. That extended run allowed the coaching staff to see how different combinations function together in live-action situations, including late-clock possessions and defensive switches following timeouts.
Beyond individual performances, the primary emphasis for Wayne State centered on execution in special situations and consistency across all four quarters. The Warriors used the night to refine communication on ball screens, improve floor spacing against switching defenses and sharpen late-game inbound sets. Though the result does not appear in the standings, the staff gained film on everything from transition defense rotations to the effectiveness of full-court pressure, information that will inform practice plans in the coming weeks.
Wayne State now turns its attention from exhibition play to the regular season, with a road contest at Lincoln (Mo.) on Nov. 8 marking the official opener. The exhibition at Detroit Mercy offered a first look at the 2024-25 Warriors and underscored the program’s depth, defensive versatility and potential as the schedule shifts into a demanding nonconference slate and, eventually, GLIAC competition.
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