Two teams are making the step from Division II basketball to Division I under the shadows of five-star recruits, transfer portals, NIL, and other things that dominate the college basketball news cycle.
Mercyhurst (PA) and the University of West Georgia (UWG) will be the two schools making the jump.
Mercyhurst’s head coach, Gary Manchel, has had four 20-win seasons since the 2018-19 season and has an overall record of 373–219 (.630) at Mercyhurst.
Manchel has coached ten top-10 defenses since 2003-04.
Mercyhurst is joining the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Lakers’ upcoming season schedule includes trips to George Washington (Atlantic 10), Cal (ACC), and West Virginia (Big 12).
UWG will be joining the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) conference.
Over the last two seasons, head coach Dave Moore has led the Wolves to a 48-16 record. Moore has been the head coach at UWG since 2018-19 and has amassed a 103-68 record.
