2024-25 VU Men's Basketball News

• February 27, 2025

• Men's Basketball
• February 27, 2025

OLNEY, Ill. – The Vincennes University men’s basketball team held their position this week in the NJCAA Division I National rankings, checking in again at No. 7 in this week’s polls, while moving up to No. 3 in the JUCO Advocate Media Poll and holding at No. 3 in the Nielsen File Top-25 rankings for this week. The Blazers hit the road Wednesday night for the final time this regular season and faced the short-handed Olney Central College Blue Knights. Olney Central came into Wednesday night’s contest with only six active players and the depth of the No. 7 Trailblazers took over as Vincennes cruised late to a big 85-63 victory over Olney Central.

• Men's Basketball
• February 22, 2025

MATTOON, Ill. – The No. 7-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers clinched the 2025 NJCAA Division I Region 24 regular season championship Saturday afternoon for the second consecutive season with a big come from behind win over Lake Land College in Mattoon. The Trailblazers fell behind early and trailed at the halftime break but were able to steady the ship with a big second half comeback to finish off a 92-86 victory over the Lakers and clinch the No. 1 seed in the 2025 Region 24 Men’s Basketball tournament, hosted by Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill. on Monday, March 10. VU got off to a hot start Saturday evening, jumping out to an early 11-5 advantage over the host Lakers.

• Men's Basketball
• February 15, 2025

ULLIN, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers moved up one spot in this week’s NJCAA Division I National rankings, checking in this week at No. 7. Vincennes was idle throughout the week but returned to the floor Saturday afternoon for a tough Region 24 road contest against Shawnee Community College in Ullin, Ill. VU was able to ride a couple of good scoring runs to pull away late and close out their 16th straight victory by downing the Saints 73-51.

• Men's Basketball
• February 08, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 8 Vincennes University Trailblazers returned to the home floor Saturday afternoon for another Region 24 contest, this time welcoming the Blue Storm from Southwestern Illinois College into the Physical Education Complex. The Trailblazers battled early with the Blue Storm and were able to ride an 8-0 scoring run late in the first half to a big 75-58 victory over Southwestern Illinois. The game got off to a very physical start, with both offenses struggling early to get the ball in the basket, Vincennes was the first team to break away with eight straight points to take a 22-12 lead midway through the first half.

• Men's Basketball
• February 05, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers made another big jump in this week’s NJCAA Division I National rankings, moving up eight spots to No. 8 in the country, No. 3 in the Nielsen File Top 25 rankings and No. 5 in the JUCO Advocate Media Poll. The Trailblazers got their first opportunity to back up this big jump in the rankings Wednesday night when the Blazers hosted Lincoln Trail College from Robinson, Ill. inside the P.E. Complex. Vincennes got off to a tough start in the first half and headed into the locker room trailing the Statesmen by three but were able to come out firing in the second half to put up 62 second half points and close out the 93-72 victory over Lincoln Trail.

• Men's Basketball
• February 01, 2025

CARTERVILLE, Ill. – The No. 16-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers were on the road again Saturday afternoon as the Blazers headed to Carterville, Ill. for a tough Region 24 road showdown with the Volunteers of John A. Logan. The Trailblazers got going early and were able to close out the game strong at the free throw line as VU picked up the 80-74 victory over the Volunteers. The Trailblazers opened the game Saturday afternoon with another excellent start, jumping out to an early 10-1 lead and later building a 19-5 advantage over the Volunteers.

• Men's Basketball
• January 29, 2025

CENTRALIA, Ill. – The No. 16 ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers hit the road again Wednesday night, heading to Centralia, Ill. for another tough Region 24 road showdown with Kaskaskia College. The Trailblazers got off to an early lead but were unable to put the game away as VU had to come up clutch at the free throw line late to come away with an 85-81 victory over the Blue Devils. The Trailblazers got off to another excellent start Wednesday night, jumping out to an early 12-2 lead over the Blue Devils.

• Men's Basketball
• January 25, 2025

MT. CARMEL, Ill. – The No. 16-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers hit the road Saturday night for a Region 24 road rival game at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Ill. The game was another tough, physical Region 24 battle with the Trailblazers continuing their winning streak with a 72-61 victory over the Warriors. The Trailblazers got off to another great start Saturday, riding an early 11-0 run to take a 20-9 lead midway through the first half.

• Men's Basketball
• January 22, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers jumped up eight spots this week in the NJCAA Division I National rankings, checking in this week at No. 16, while also holding the No. 7 spot in the JUCO Advocate Media Poll and No. 6 in the Nielsen File Top 25 rankings. The Trailblazers showed why they deserve to continue to climb in the rankings Wednesday night inside the Physical Education Complex, posting a big 102-58 Region 24 victory over Olney Central College. This is the 10th straight victory for the Trailblazers and their fourth straight win leading from tip to buzzer.

• Men's Basketball
• January 18, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 24 ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers faced another tough Region 24 test inside the Physical Education Complex Saturday afternoon, hosting Lake Land College from Mattoon, Ill. The Blazers jumped on the Lakers early and rode the home crowd all night as the Blazers led wire-to-wire and came away with a big 102-78 victory over the Lakers. The Trailblazers got out to an excellent start Saturday, scoring the first seven points of the game and opening the game on an impressive 25-8 run over the Lakers.

• Men's Basketball
• January 13, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University men’s basketball team jumped back into the Top 25 this week in the first NJCAA Division I National rankings for 2025, checking in at No. 24 in the country. The Trailblazers got the first opportunity to improve on this ranking Monday night as the Trailblazers hosted Shawnee Community College inside the Physical Education Complex. VU was able to get off to a great start and build an early lead as the Blazers closed out their eighth straight win, winning over the Saints 89-50.

• Men's Basketball
• January 09, 2025

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers continue to roll as the Blazers finished off their seventh straight win Thursday night at Southwestern Illinois College 82-59. The Trailblazers got off to a hot start Thursday night, scoring the opening six points of the game and quickly building a double-digit 17-7 lead over the Blue Storm. Southwestern Illinois would answer back and cut the VU lead down to one at 26-25 before the Blazers finished out the opening half strong by outscoring SWIC 16-4 to take a 42-29 lead into the locker room break.

• Men's Basketball
• January 04, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers hit the floor for the first time Saturday night after the two-week Holiday break and found themselves in a tough defensive battle with Volunteer State Community College from Gallatin, Tenn. The Trailblazers were able to regain composure in the second half and outscored the Pioneers 49-24 on their way to securing a 75-51 victory inside the Physical Education Complex. Vincennes got off to a fast start Saturday night and looked to be off and running early after the Pioneers scored the opening five points of the game, VU answered with a 17-3 scoring run to take a 17-8 lead.

• Men's Basketball
• December 21, 2024

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers hit the road Saturday afternoon for the final game of the 2024 portion of the season taking on Malcolm X College in Chicago. The Trailblazers survived a late surge by the Hawks and were able to come away with the 96-93 victory, giving VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin his 400th victory at Vincennes University. Vincennes got off to a slow start Saturday afternoon, facing a physical first half with VU shooting 18 free throws in the first 20 minutes the Blazers were able to hang close in a back and forth opening period.

• Men's Basketball
• December 14, 2024

ROBINSON, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers hit the road Saturday afternoon for their first true road game of the 2024-25 season, heading to nearby Robinson, Ill. for a Region 24 showdown with the Statesmen of Lincoln Trail College. VU was able to pick up an early lead and close out another big Region 24 victory, winning over the host Statesmen 79-69. The Trailblazers were firing early Saturday afternoon, opening the game on a 9-2 scoring run to take an early lead before the Statesmen answered back to cut the VU lead down to one.

• Men's Basketball
• December 11, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers opened Region 24 play Wednesday inside the Physical Education Complex with another tough showdown with the Volunteers of John A. Logan College from Carterville, Ill. The game was back-and-forth, tough and physical all night with the Trailblazers gaining the edge late with a three-pointer by sophomore and 2024 NJCAA All-American Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) with 10.3 second remaining to push the Blazers ahead for the 78-77 victory. The game was back-and-forth right from the start with the two teams trading baskets throughout the opening minutes of the game before the Trailblazers first broke away with an 8-0 scoring run to take a 23-18 lead.

• Men's Basketball
• December 07, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – VU sophomore and 2024 NJCAA All-American Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) stepped up in a big way Saturday night, guiding the Trailblazers to a big 85-71 victory over No. 17-ranked Triton College. Thomas got going early and helped the Blazers to victory with a career-high 39 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Vincennes got off to an excellent start Saturday night, opening the game with an 11-2 run over the visiting Trojans.

• Men's Basketball
• December 04, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers returned home Wednesday night to the Physical Education Complex where the Blazers played host to Schoolcraft College from Detroit, Mich. The Trailblazers were able to use a big second half and a big game by freshman Christian Andrews (Asheville, N.C.) to get back in the win column with a big 90-51 victory over the Ocelots. Vincennes got off to a slow start against the visiting Ocelots, going back and forth with Schoolcraft for most of the first half.

• Men's Basketball
• December 01, 2024

OLNEY, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers hit the road for their first game this season away from the Physical Education Complex, heading to Olney, Ill. to take part in the 2024 Olney Central Classic. The Trailblazers took on Mineral Area College from Park Hills, Mo., Sunday afternoon and fell on the wrong side of an 82-79 final score. Vincennes got off to a great start Sunday afternoon, jumping out to an early lead and expanding this lead to 23-15 midway through the opening half of play.

• Men's Basketball
• November 23, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 21-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers got off to a tough start Saturday afternoon against the Greyhounds of Moberly Area Community College inside the Physical Education Complex. Vincennes would eventually get back on track but were unable to overcome the early deficit as the Trailblazers fell to Moberly Area by the final score of 63-51. It was a tough start to the day by the Trailblazers with Moberly Area coming out of the gates firing to build an early 22-3 lead.

• Men's Basketball
• November 19, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazer men’s basketball team held firm at No. 21 in this week’s NJCAA Division I National Rankings and had their first opportunity to improve on this ranking Tuesday night inside the Physical Education Complex. The Trailblazers welcomed Kankakee Community College from Kankakee, Ill. inside the P.E. Complex and were able to pull away late in the second half to close out an 83-53 victory over the previously unbeaten Cavaliers. Vincennes got off to a fast start Tuesday night, quickly opening a 12-4 advantage over the Cavaliers before Kankakee came storming back to take an 18-17 first half lead.

• Men's Basketball
• November 16, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 21-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers returned to action Saturday afternoon for a weekend matinee against Malcolm X College from Chicago, Ill. The Trailblazers overcame a slow start and were guided by 21 second half points by sophomore Michael Cooper (Minneapolis, Minn.) as the Blazers closed out an 87-66 victory over the visiting Hawks. Vincennes got off to a slow start Saturday afternoon, with Malcolm X coming out and scoring the first eight points of the game.

• Men's Basketball
• November 12, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazer men’s basketball team slid down three spots earlier today in the first NJCAA Division I National Rankings for the 2024-25 regular season, checking in at No. 21. The Trailblazers got another opportunity to add another good win to their resume Tuesday night as Vincennes hosted NJCAA Division II No. 20 ranked Henry Ford College. Vincennes overcame a slow start and held off a late push by the Hawks to secure an 88-77 victory over Henry Ford inside the Physical Education Complex.

• Men's Basketball
• November 09, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 18 Vincennes University Trailblazers closed out an impressive weekend Saturday night on the final day of the 2024 McDonald’s Classic. The Trailblazers played host to Kennedy-King College from Chicago and closed out the weekend classic with a strong 88-46 victory over the Statesmen. Vincennes got going early by building a quick 16-8 advantage before taking firm control of the game by outscoring the Statesmen 21-6 to increase their lead to 37-14 late in the first half.

• Men's Basketball
• November 08, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 18-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers opened up their weekend slate at the 2024 McDonald’s Classic Friday night inside the Physical Education Complex. The Blazers went wire-to-wire over Richard J. Daley College in a 112-59 victory aided by 25 points on a perfect nine for nine from the floor shooting performance out of freshman Dayton Williams (Louisville, Ky.). Vincennes got the offense going early Friday night, jumping out to an early 24-7 advantage before extending their lead even further with a 14-0 scoring run to take a 38-12 lead midway through the first half.

• Men's Basketball
• November 02, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 18 ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers closed out the 2024 Kiwanis Classic Saturday night inside the Physical Education Complex. The Blazers came out on the wrong end of a 80-68 final score against Columbia State Community College in the final game of the weekend Classic. Vincennes opened the game with an excellent start, scoring the first seven points of the game and quickly building a 12-5 advantage over the Chargers.

• Men's Basketball
• November 01, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 18-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers opened their 2024-25 campaign Friday night inside the Physical Education Complex with day one of the 2024 Kiwanis Classic against East Mississippi Community College. The Blazers were able to battle back from a 13-point second half deficit to force overtime and come away with an 80-73 victory over the Lions. Vincennes got off to a slow start in the season opener, with East Mississippi scoring the first seven points of the game, which VU immediately answered with a 7-0 run of their own.

• Baseball
• August 21, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. - John Meeks, an experienced athletics administrator with an academic ethos, is the new Vincennes University Director of Athletics. VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson proudly announced the appointment of Meeks on Wednesday, August 21, during a VU Board of Trustees meeting.  Meeks is a former college basketball coach currently serving as the Director of Athletics at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Washington. He will begin his role leading VU Athletics on Monday, Sept. 9.

• Baseball
• July 18, 2024

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The 2023-24 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic awards were announced Thursday, with Vincennes University well represented. First came the announcement of the 2023-24 Academic Teams of the Year, with teams needing to hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to be honored. Nearly 1,200 teams were named across the NJCAA members colleges and sports, with Vincennes University being named twice.

• Men's Basketball
• July 17, 2024

VINCENNES, Ind. – Trailblazer Damarien Yates (Somerville, Tenn.) announced earlier this week his plans to continue his basketball career in the fall by committing to play at the University of Memphis. “Memphis is home,” Yates said. “I think this is the perfect fit both academically and athletically. This Memphis team is special and I think it’s going to be a fun ride. Lastly, it’s the legendary Coach Penny Hardaway.” Yates burst onto the scene last season as a freshman for the Blazers, scoring in double figures in two of his first three collegiate games.