As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.

The 2022-23 UIS men's basketball team delivered a record-setting campaign that marked a defining chapter in the program's Division II era. Under head coach Matt Brock, the Prairie Stars finished 19-10 overall, setting a new NCAA-era record for wins in a season while establishing themselves as one of the Great Lakes Valley Conference's top contenders.

Picked ninth in the GLVC preseason poll and projected to miss the conference tournament, UIS quickly flipped expectations. The Prairie Stars went 13-7 in conference play and dominated at TRAC, posting a 12-1 home record. Along the way, UIS secured regular-season sweeps of Drury, Lewis, Quincy, and Southwest Baptist, showcasing consistency against the league's toughest competition. The Prairie Stars' surge earned them the No. 2 seed in the GLVC Tournament—a remarkable climb from preseason projections.

Early signs of the season's potential emerged in an 83-77 preseason exhibition win over Division I opponent Northern Illinois, setting the tone for a confident and connected group. A pivotal stretch came during a Thursday night 63-61 overtime victory against Southwest Baptist, a team picked second in the preseason poll. The dramatic win sparked a homestand sweep that also included victories over Drury and Missouri S&T, fueling one of the Prairie Stars' strongest runs of the season.

UIS continued to build momentum in January with a 72-61 home win over a strong McKendree squad. In the regular-season finale, the Prairie Stars secured a 79-78 road victory at Southwest Baptist to complete the season sweep and lock in postseason positioning. Four days later, the two teams met again in the GLVC Tournament quarterfinals, where Southwest Baptist edged UIS 80-76 in a tightly contested matchup. Though the Prairie Stars' postseason run was cut short, the body of work across the season solidified the team's place among the program's best.

Offensively, the numbers reflected both efficiency and firepower. UIS connected on 298 three-pointers—the second-most in a season during the Division II era—while shooting 46.9 percent from the field. The Prairie Stars averaged 76.8 points per game and totaled 2,228 points across the season, consistently stretching defenses and capitalizing on perimeter opportunities.

Individually, Jack Weber anchored the effort with a 419-point campaign, knocking down 190 field goals on his way to unanimous First Team All-GLVC honors and Second Team NABC All-District recognition. Max Kunnert added Second Team All-GLVC accolades, while Jacob Hanna earned a spot on the GLVC All-Defensive Team. From beyond the arc, Michael Wright and Max Kunnert delivered 78 and 71 three-pointers, respectively, providing steady perimeter production. Sophomore Jordan Rice emerged as a key playmaker, contributing 281 points and 111 assists in a breakout season.

From record-setting wins to postseason positioning and multiple all-conference selections, the 2022-23 Prairie Stars combined experience, shooting depth, and defensive grit to produce one of the most impressive seasons in modern UIS men's basketball history. Their achievement not only reset expectations but reinforced the program's upward trajectory within the GLVC, cementing their place in Prairie Stars Division II history.

Explore the growing list of NCAA Division II 15 Years Anniversary honorees celebrating the legacy of Prairie Stars Athletics.