The University of Mount Union men’s basketball team is off to a strong start for the 2025-2026 season. The team currently sits with four wins and zero losses. The Purple Raiders had a successful 2024-2025 season and have many returners that are contributing to the team’s success. Standout current sophomore, Chance Casenhiser, was OAC Freshman of the Year last season and is making his mark this season, averaging 22 points per game. Junior Shaun Vaden just broke the single game school record for blocks, recording eight blocks against Case Western Reserve this past weekend.

Another standout men’s basketball player is senior Kevin Moore. Moore is a transfer student from San Diego City College. His hometown is Youngstown, Ohio. Moore reflected on what Mount Union has done for him; “Mount Union has done a lot for me academically. Mount Union taught me how to apply myself to my work with persistence and to be confident when expressing my work to others. And as a person, Mount Union has shown me how important it is to be kind and respectful to everyone in the community.” Mount Union is a tight-knit community where athletes and students uplift and support each other. At a Division III college, you are able to make meaningful connections with those around you. Moore hopes to leave his mark on the basketball program during his last season as a Raider: “I hope to have an imposing impact on this program with how hard I work and how unselfish I am as a teammate.” The 2024-2025 men’s basketball team made it to the OAC Championship, where they took on John Carroll, but in the end the Raiders came up short. Moore mentioned that the team goals this year are to win the OAC and make a run for a national title. The team has high expectations for themselves. With standout athletes on the team and coaches that push their players to be the best, we can guarantee this team is going to make some noise this season. Moore leads through his faith, as the quote he lives by on the court is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Moore is a starter for the Purple Raiders and leads by example on and off of the court. More leads through his work ethic and through his faith for his fellow teammates. 

You will not want to miss the home opener for the Raiders on November 26th, at 6 p.m. in Timken Gymnasium. Be sure to make it out to support Moore and the rest of the men’s basketball team this season!