Barclay Men’s Basketball is back on Friday, October 29th at John Brown University for the world famous “Toilet Paper Game.” This tips off what should be a very competitive and exciting season for your Bears. Coming off an exciting and historic season, The Clay Way is eager to get back at it and build upon the success.

As you know the Bears are coming off one of their best campaigns ever with a record of 17-2 against NCCAA opponents, Midwest Christian College Conference regular season championship, conference tournament runner-up, Southwest Region Tournament Final-Four, two All-Conference selections, and three All-Region selections. The Bears added a variety of new faces to the core group of players from last years season. With 16 total players on the roster and only five of those being Seniors and Juniors, not only are the Bears returning with a dangerous team, they are looking to be dangerous for a while. 

The Clay Way’s 2021-2022 schedule includes six NAIA contests with four of those being the first four games of the season. Starting with John Brown University the Bears will quickly be tested in a tough road environment. Following JBU is the 1st annual installment of the Quaker Classic being held at Friends University in Wichita. Familiar NAIA faces to the schedule are Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, OK for the third game on the schedule before Barclay faces Oklahoma Panhandle State University in their home opener on November 4th. They will play back-to-back home games as they serve host to regional opponent Southwest Adventist University. 

Next on the schedule is a seven day stretch with three NCAA opponents. They start the streak against NCAA D1 Houston Baptist University; this will be their second meeting with their first one being back in 2017. Following HBU is NCAA D2 opponents Southwest Baptist University and Roger State University. Barclay and SBU’s only other contest against each other was in 2013, and this the first BC vs RSU game. The schedule then turns back to the NAIA for two more games against familiar in-state opponent Central Christian College of KS, and a return trip to OPSU. 

Finally stepping into December, the Bears consistently will face NCCAA opponents beginning at SW region rival Randall University. The Bears will then host Kansas Christian College before breaking for Christmas. Returning from the break, they start with their first conference games of the season playing both Faith Baptist Bible College and Emmaus Bible College at a neutral site. The Clay Way will then get three home stands in a row as they host Manhattan Christian College, Central Christian College of the Bible, and Spurgeon College. The Bears will make a quick trip to Kansas Christian College before returning for another home game against Faith Baptist Bible College. Emmaus Bible College and Manhattan Christian College are next on the schedule and both to be played at MCC. Calvary University and Ozark Christian College travel to Barclay next with OCC being the ‘21-‘22 Senior Night. The Bears will wrap up their regular season on the road against Spurgeon College, Central Christian College of the Bible, Ozark Christian College, and Calvary University. 

The Midwest Christian College Conference tournament will take place February 17-19th in Moberly, Missouri. 

The Southwest Region Tournament will take place February 24-26th in Kansas City, Missouri. 

The NCCAA D2 National Tournament will take place March 9-12th in Joplin, Missouri.

Kaden Huck, Dre Franklin, Chaz Brown, DJ Hudspeth, Davion Knight, Aleck Smith, Christian Anderson, Chris Hannah, Julian Haros, and Bryan Camacho are the returning players being accompanied by transfers Richie Thompson, Eton Smith, CJ Jackson, Asher Booth, and true freshmen Aaron Galindo and Aaron Hill. 

Alexis Gloude is returning from last season as the team “manager.” Coach Huck said, “To call Alexis a manager is a major disservice to all she does for us. She is basically the team counselor and an assistant coach who happens to be amazing at running the scoreboard as well. We are lucky to have her on staff.”

Assistant Coach RL Smith is returning as well from last year’s stellar season. “The relationship he has with the returning core is huge for us. He is also very knowledgeable about the game and I have full confidence in him to step up and lead. There were instances last year where he had to do that, and he did an amazing job” Coach Huck told us. Coach Smith hung a conference banner as a Bear both while playing and serving as an assistant coach.

Head Coach Tanner Huck is also a new addition to the program. After spending three years as a Head Coach in Arkansas he has returned to his Alma Mater. In his time in AR Coach Huck took over a program that was winless against MCCC opponents for two seasons and in three short seasons brought them to .529 against the MCCC. He also coached an All-Region selection in each of those three years and saw two players sign professional contracts. Coach Huck told us, “I am very excited to be returning home to Barclay College. Stepping into a championship caliber program such as this is amazing. I am truly blessed to now be able to give back to the institution and program that gave so much to me. Our players, staff, and support system here at Barclay are second to none and I am honored to get to join it.” Coach Huck also hung a conference banner at Barclay as a player and as an assistant coach.

Tune in to catch The Clay Way this year! We need you there with us as we look forward to an amazing year!