Standing strong through the first five games of the non-conference schedule, King’s College Men’s basketball faces it’s toughest foe of the season thus far, Delaware Valley, entering the conference slate.

It’s been a different look for the Monarchs (4-1), relying on three first-year faces and a sophomore stud to lead the way when it comes to scoring. Both senior captains, Rich Douglas and Tim O’Shea, have been limited during game time. They’ve combined for 64 total minutes this year.

But Coach J.P. Andrejko said it’ll be the same lineup as before, the freshman being the focus, the seniors on the back burner, for now.

“The rotation will be pretty much the same going into tomorrow night,” Andrejko said on Tuesday afternoon from his office in Scandlon Gymnasium.

“Richie and Tim, neither one of them have been great offensive players. They’ve both been good defensive players and role players in spots. First and foremost, I don’t want them to feel like they have to do more than they are capable of. We want to establish roles and play our roles and see how we do.”

But it’ll be the complete opposite for a deep and seasoned Del-Val (3-3, 3-1 at home) club, listing 14 upperclassmen on their team roster. After dropping their first two decisions, the Aggies are 3-1 in their last four, boasting wins over Alvernia and Lebanon Valley.

Junior forward Chris Moran leads the team in scoring with 12.3 points per game and eight boards while the rest of the roster has six players averaging 7.4 points or more per contest.

And the big story of the Aggies season comes in the form of junior transfer Manny Ochenje. Ochenje started his career at Pepperdine and played two seasons before transferring to Division II Indianapolis where he suffered an injury and retained eligibility at Del-Val.

If anything, the Aggies are stocked with talent.

“They’re deep,” Andrejko said. “They have a lot of players, a lot of different type of players…it’s going to be a little chess match. I was watching tape of that game, as he was changing lineups, he was changing lineups…we have options as well.”

On the Monarch front, former Freedom Conference “Rookie of the Year,” Dan Rutecki, has started the season with a flash, scoring 15.6 points per game and nabbing 7.6 rebounds as well.

Sophomore Nate Oliver, a sixth man for the roster, is having a breakout year, dropping 10 points per contest for King’s. Chris Fazzini is the only other player on the roster scoring in double-digits. The freshman averages 11 points per game.

It won’t be simple. But, King’s is gearing up for what appears to be their toughest game all season. And though the talent and the preseason top-team distinction coronates the Aggies as the clear kings of the conference, Andrejko isn’t fazed.

If anything, the Monarchs are just as talented as any squad in the Freedom Conference. Wednesday, will just be another test which they can either pass with flying colors or fail miserably.

“It’s hard to say because I haven’t seen everyone,” Andrejko said when asked if Del-Val would be his team’s toughest challenge this year.

“Early on it’s hard. I will tell you that Del-Val is good. They are a team with so many new pieces that as the season goes on they will get better…but from a talent standpoint they can play.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Andrjeko smiled. “It’s going to be exciting.”

JV Report

Coach Andrejko said that the junior varsity roster won’t be participating in any contests before the Christmas recess. He said that due to Tuesday’s small snowstorm, their contest with Elizabethtown was postponed to next semester.

Andrejko said that he attempted to get Misericordia in, but they declined because it “was last semester and we couldn’t do it.”

The slate of games for the second semester will include match-ups with: E-town, Misericordia, Moravian, thus far.

Injury Report

• Sophomore John Dini is listed as AVAILABLE for Wednesday’s game against Del-Val, per the coaching staff. He was suffering issues of a strained back and shin splints. He’s currently going through rehab  and is suffering from soreness but will be fine.

Odds & Ends

Andrejko told WRKC that the matchup with Drew over Thanksgiving break went wonderful. And even with the impending break, the student section was tremendous.

“Tuesday night was a real nice crowd and we were thrilled with it,” Andrejko said. “It was our best performance of the year, which is what you want, getting better. Defensively, we have continued to get better. Drew was averaging 90 points per game and we held them to 59.”

Tyler R. Tynes covers King’s sports for WRKC Digital, follow him on Twitter @TylerRickyTynes or email him at TylerTynes@Kings.edu