Nine minutes and 52 seconds.
That’s how much time stood between the Detroit Mercy men’s basketball team and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. They had just taken their largest lead in the Horizon League men’s title game at 49-37 over Wright State, and they had all the momentum inside the Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis on their side. Becoming an automatic qualifier for the Big Dance was well within reach.
Until it wasn’t.
Thanks to a comeback 66-63 win, it was the Raiders that went on to represent the Horizon League in the tournament instead, giving Virginia all they could handle in the first round.
As tough and gut-wrenching as it was for the season to come to an end like that, there was still way more to be excited about for a program that was certainly trending in the right direction. Just two years removed from a 1-31 season, the Titans finished 17-15 and 12-8 in Horizon League play. Better yet, they were right on the cusp of a conference title. As for head coach Mark Montgomery, this all transpired in only his second year at the helm. There was a lot of anticipation for what would be in store next.
Then came May 4th, when news broke that the men’s basketball team would be facing a postseason ban for this upcoming season because the program did not meet the benchmark for the NCAA’s academic progress rate. Obviously incredibly unfortunate news, but there was no wavering in commitment from anyone within the program. Just two days later, it was announced that Montgomery received a contract extension through 2030-31, meaning he could continue to build what he was already putting together in the 313. He made it clear how much the Titans still have to play for, including the opportunities they have in the non-conference portion of the schedule (Marquette, Xavier, Michigan State, Michigan, Cancun Challenge) as well as bringing home a regular season Horizon League title.
“We haven’t won a regular season conference championship since 1999, so we’re putting our sights on that and keeping the momentum going from last season into this season.”
On top of that, the Titans will return six guys from last year, and although their two leading scorers from a season ago will be wearing new threads (Orlando Lovejoy to Green Bay and TJ Nadeau to Tulane), they brought back some key pieces too. They also lost Legend Geeter to graduation and Ryan Kalambay to St. Bonaventure. Despite the departures, don’t expect the team’s play style to change all that much, as Montgomery has confidence in his team to fill gaps that were left, while possibly doing some things even better.
But on top of the six returners, UDM brought in four transfers and five freshmen to round out the squad, so the team as a whole has a lot of new faces. It’s an intriguing group, and Montgomery addressed a couple keys that have to happen in order to have sustained success this season.
“We have to stay healthy and continue stacking days,” Montgomery said. “We have to play 40 minutes.”
On top of this, finding more consistent inside scoring and building off their phenomenal team effort on the glass a year ago were other points he alluded to.
As we near the start of this season, let’s see how the 2026-27 Titans roster has shaped up.
Returning Players
Ayden Carter, Senior, 6-5, G/F, Fremont, Ohio, Fremont Ross HS (Walsh)
The 2025-26 season for Carter was essentially a glimpse of what Detroit Mercy hopes to get for a full year this season.
A transfer playing his first year of Division I ball with the Titans, Carter played only nine games before suffering a season-ending injury. But in those nine contests, he averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and a steal. Six of his nine games were double-digit scoring performances, and in his last game of the year he posted 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in a win over IU Indy.
The 6-foot-5 Carter gives the Titans size on the wing as well as versatility, and his ability to move away from the ball is important to mention. Montgomery recognized the versatility he brings to the table especially, noting that he “can play [positions] one to four or guard one to four.”
He’s a player that’s certainly skilled and possesses good athleticism, but he always seems to get himself in the right spots, making the right plays. The guy everyone calls “AC” is excited to get back out there in gametime action, and he’s expressed much of that excitement himself.
“It means everything, man. It’s a testament to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, allowing me to get back healthy,” Carter said. “I’m so excited to be out here with my brothers, and that’s what it’s about at the end of the day, going to war for the guy next to you.”
If he can remain healthy, Carter gives Detroit Mercy a proven player on both ends who can play multiple positions and bring valuable experience and leadership.
London Maiden, Senior, 6-8, F, Cleveland, Ohio, Richmond Heights HS (Blinn College)
A player that no opposing big man wanted to see inside the paint last season was Maiden. Honestly, forget the paint. The 250-pound Maiden would catch the ball in the post as far as 12-to-15 feet away from the basket before working himself into the lane for buckets.
Maiden returns as one of the Titans’ most experienced interior players. Last season he appeared in 31 games and made nine starts, averaging 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 54.5% from the field. He scored in double figures eight times and had at least five rebounds in nine games. He also showed the ability to wear opponents down in consecutive possessions. In Detroit Mercy’s Horizon League Tournament opener against Milwaukee, he went 5-for-5 from the field for 12 points in only 13 minutes.
If Maiden can continue to consistently rebound, defend and finish efficiently, he’ll remain an integral part of the front court rotation. He’s certainly one of the most physical and physically intimidating big men in the conference.
Tyler Spratt, Junior, 6-7, G, Farmington Hills, Michigan, North Farmington (Cleveland State)
As a redshirt freshman last year, Spratt made some noise in his first full season play in college basketball. As last season progressed, Spratt stopped looking like a young and inexperienced player and started looking like a player Detroit Mercy could seriously build around. The Farmington Hills native played all 32 games and started 28, averaging 9.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. But the overall numbers don’t tell the entire story. In Horizon League play, Spratt’s production jumped to 12.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, and he shot 43.3 percent from three. He knocked down 55 triples on the season, second on the team, while also being an effective defender, collecting 22 steals, although his effectiveness on that end of the floor went beyond that. Spratt attributes much of that improvement to a rise in confidence, but also the support he felt as well.
“It was all due to more confidence, and my confidence was there because of our fans and supporters,” Spratt said. “I’m at home, it’s great to be here, and it’s something that’s important to me throughout the year.”
That conference split is what makes his transition to this season so interesting. As a player named to the all-freshmen team last year, if the positive trend can continue, he has a legitimate opportunity to become the face of this team, and one of the best players in the conference.
Lance Stone, Sophomore, 5-8, Guard, Detroit, Michigan, Renaissance HS
Not many were entirely sure what freshman year Stone would look like. Although a highly touted local recruit, the combination of Orlando Lovejoy running the show alongside a lot of other competition in the backcourt made many intrigued on what his role would be/look like.
What people saw was one of the quickest and fastest ball handlers in the league. Standing at 5’8, Stone was not only effective at leading the charge off the bench but also being implemented to help break any full-court pressure. As a freshman, he played all 32 games and averaged 6.8 points and 2.0 assists. His 64 assists against 38 turnovers were particularly encouraging and worth highlighting, and he shot 87.3 percent from the free-throw line. Montgomery had many positives to say about the point guard heading into his second season.
“He can be more vocal in a leadership role,” Montgomery said. “I think he’s going to be more comfortable, having played over 30 division one games now and having gone on a tournament run. He’s stronger and his conditioning is going to be better, so he’s definitely going to have us playing at a fast pace.”
What was also a joy to watch was how he and Lovejoy complemented one another, as there were some lineups that Montgomery ran that featured both in the same backcourt. Stone also showed the ability to be a scorer at this level, with his most crucial performance coming in the conference semifinal against Robert Morris, where he netted 16 points in 31 minutes of play. Now having an opportunity to be the one to run the show himself, Stone remains having an unselfish mentality and demeanor.
“I want to make it fun for everyone and play to the best of my ability for them,” Stone said. “I’m not trying to play for numbers or anything, just to the best of my ability.”
The thing to watch for this season could be improved efficiency. If his scoring efficiency begins to catch up with his elite decision making, Lance Stone could become one of the best point guards in the conference for a team with some notable weapons around him.
Je’kel Cotton, Sophomore, 6-6, G/F, Lima, Ohio, Lima Senior
It’s always important to have players that come in everyday ready to work, no matter what their role may be game-to-game. Cotton was one of those players last season. Although his minutes fluctuated throughout the year, his development was consistent, and he showed flashes of an ability to take on a bigger role this season.
He appeared in 27 games, providing solid depth on the wing for last year’s Titans squad. He was praised for being one of the best rebounders on the team, and he showed the ability to knock down the outside shot as well (three games with multiple threes), while also being a solid defender. Cotton has also had what Montgomery described as “a good fall so far”. Look for the Ohio native to be even more of an impact player this season, stepping into a bit bigger of a role for the red, white and blue.
Xavier Istomin-Monroe, Sophomore, 7-1, C, Sydney, Australia, Royal Crown Academic School (Canada)
Detroit Mercy got to retain their tallest player by a decent margin from last year’s roster, and a guy that showed signs of solid development during his freshman season. His minutes, like Cotton’s, fluctuated throughout the season, but Year 2 of Istomin-Monroe may have more in store than what was shown during his rookie campaign. He played 19 games and made seven starts, and his best offensive outputs included an eight-point game at DePaul. He also showed flashes as a capable rim-protector, swatting seven shots in limited action.
At 7-foot-1, simply becoming more comfortable using his size at this level and defensively could see Istomin-Monroe taking a significant leap during his sophomore season. If he can turn his elite size into consistent rebounding, rim protection and interior scoring, the Titans have themselves another legitimate threat inside, who has the chance, according to Montgomery, to “play significant minutes”.
Incoming Players
Jordan Briggs, Senior, 6-0, G, Muskegon, Michigan, Muskegon HS (Wayne State)
The move for Briggs wasn’t a long one, as a short trip north up John C. Lodge Freeway is all the distance between his old school and his new one. The headliner for the group of transfers arrives from Wayne State after earning First Team All-GLIAC honors as a junior.
The Muskegon native averaged 17.0 points, 3.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds last season, shooting 42.1% from the field and 88.2% at the free-throw line. He also made 44 three-pointers and scored at least 20 points eight times, including a career-high 36 against Ferris State. Briggs showed the ability to be a perennial playmaker and should have a chance to immediately become one of Detroit Mercy’s primary ballhandlers and scoring options so long as he can make the transition to the Horizon League a smooth one.
Dante Favor, Senior, 6-8, F, Canton, Michigan, Canton HS (Spring Arbor)
Favor is an experienced addition to this Detroit Mercy squad for this season, arriving from Spring Arbor after playing three seasons with the Cougars.
He played 86 games with 79 starts over three seasons, averaging 10.7 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 58.6% from the field. He also accumulated 81 blocks, 89 steals and recorded 18 career double-doubles.
As a junior, the Canton, Michigan native turned things up a notch, earning First Team All-League honors after averaging 15.3 points per game. He scored in double figures 25 times and had six 20-point games, including a 27-point, 14-rebound performance. Favor also showed the ability to step out and shoot the three if needed, as he shot 38.2% from deep last season, albeit on limited volume (13-for-34).
The transition to Division I will be the main storyline. Favor has been a highly productive player, but facing bigger and deeper frontcourts in the Horizon League will come with a slight adjustment. If he can continue to be an effective rebounder, finisher and defender on the interior, the 6-8 senior will be significantly incorporated into this front court rotation. I’ll tell you what, though, going up against a player like Maiden every day in practice is only helping his cause on both sides of the ball.
Elías Pálsson, Junior, 6-7, G/F, Njardvik, Iceland, Njardvik HS (Augusta)
Pálsson may be one of the most interesting newcomers on the roster for this year. The Icelandic native comes to the 313 after spending his first two seasons at Augusta University in Georgia. He was selected First Team All-Peach Belt Conference as a sophomore, averaging 16.7 points and 4.0 rebounds. The versatile wing shot 44.4% from the field, 39.6% from three, and 76.3% at the free-throw line, netting double figures in scoring in 23 games, including 11 games with 20 or more and a pair of 30-point outings, with 35 at Fayetteville State and a career-high 38 at USC Aiken. Montgomery knew that they would need another outside shooting threat, so he went and got one.
“With TJ [Nadeau] leaving, you want to go get a guy that can stretch the floor and really shoot the ball, and that’s why we brought in Elias,” Montgomery said. “We tried to fill a plug there with him.”
Pálsson brings some valuable collegiate experience to the table, as well as an ability to spread the floor as an outside shooting threat. If he can make the adjustment to the Division I level, he has a good chance to see some solid minutes on the wing in the rotation.
Greg Grays Jr., Freshman, 6-3, G, Detroit, Michigan, Brother Rice HS
Splitting time in high school between Farmington High School and Brother Rice, Grays tallied 1,720 career points and averaged 25.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in his prep career. At Brother Rice, he scored 1,410 career points and averaged 21.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists over his time there. He was a First Team All-State selection as a junior, and Detroit Mercy’s coaching staff saw him as a flat-out dynamic scorer. There is also a bit of history attached to the Grays’ name: his father, Greg Grays, Sr., played at Detroit Mercy for two seasons from 2000-2002.
Look for the Detroit native to battle for minutes in the backcourt rotation, as he could come along and play a solid role as the season goes on if he can make the adjustment to this new level, and make a smooth transition.
James Martin, Freshman, 6-4, G/F, Muskegon, Michigan, Muskegon HS
Next up is another in-state recruit and the second Muskegon native in Martin. He averaged 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals during his high-school career, while serving as a three-time team captain. He then spent his senior year with the Free Press Dream Team and put up numbers of 23.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.
Martin has shown the ability to score, but what has stuck out just as much is what he brings to the table on the glass and on the defensive end of the floor. Montgomery has also labeled Martin as the most athletic out of the freshmen class. Expect the 6-4 Muskegon native to see a larger role as the season progresses if he’s able to prove himself capable of continuing to be a two-way threat at the Horizon League level.
Keaton Aldridge Jr., Freshman, 6-4, G, Indianapolis, Indiana, Cathedral HS
Another solid get for the Titans in the freshmen class was Aldridge. He’s a jack-of-all-trades type of player that scored 1,132 career high school points (sixth in school history) and averaged 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.4 steals in his senior season. Aldridge was also the Indiana Class 3A Player of the Year and All-State Supreme 15 as he led Cathedral to an IHSAA Class 3A state championship.
It’s Aldridge that has been dubbed as the best defender of this freshmen class by Montgomery and a “do-it-all type of player”. He’s a two-way threat that plays bigger than the height he’s listed at, so he’ll certainly have an opportunity to prove himself as just that this season. Look for Aldridge to be fighting for minutes on the wing on this year’s Detroit Mercy squad.
Chance Houser, Freshman, 6-6, F/G, Detroit, Michigan, Mumford HS
Houser arrives at UDM with a stout prep resume. At Mumford, he averaged 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds as a senior and earned Second Team All-State honors. He also helped lead Summit Academy to its first MHSAA Division 2 state championship appearance. Houser’s size and athleticism give Detroit Mercy another young wing who can play across a couple of different positions. He has also been praised as possibly the best shooter and overall scorer of this freshmen class by Montgomery. If he continues to develop and play tough on both ends of the floor, expect Houser, like the other freshmen, to have a chance to work his way into a notable role as the season rolls along.
Projected Starting Lineup
Guard – Lance Stone, 5-8, SO
Guard – Jordan Briggs, 6-0, SR
Guard/Forward – Ayden Carter, 6-5, SR
Guard/Forward – Tyler Spratt, 6-7, JR
Forward – London Maiden, 6-8, SR
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