BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team continues its preseason preparation for the 2021-22 season with an exhibition game Wednesday vs. Lincoln University of California.
 
The Vikings will host the Oaklanders in a non-counting exhibition contest on WECU Court in Carver Gym, with Lincoln head coach and NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton making his collegiate coaching debut.
 
Payton is widely considered one of the great defenders in NBA history, earning the nickname The Glove, as a nine-time All-Star and NBA All-Defensive Team selection. Payton played 13 of his 17 NBA seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics and is the franchise's all-time leader in games, minutes, shots, baskets, assists and steals. The Oregon State product and Oakland native was recently selected to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.
 
WWU will be taking the court for the second time during the preseason after playing the Blue-White Scrimmage on Sunday, October 17 to officially kick off the 2021-22 season. In that contest six players tallied 20-or-more points, led by a 27-point, 8-rebound, 11-for-14 shooting performance by senior forward Luke Lovelady.
 
The Vikings 18-player roster includes unanimous Preseason All-GNAC selections sophomore guard D'Angelo Minnis and junior forward/guard Jalen Green.
 
WWU will play one additional preseason game in a closed door scrimmage this weekend vs. an NCAA Division I opponent. The 2021-22 regular season begins November 12-13 at the CCAA/GNAC Challenge in Carson, California, with the Vikings playing Humboldt State and tournament host Cal State Dominguez Hills.
  Fans can purchase tickets in advance of Wednesday's game vs. Lincoln by visiting wwuvikings.com/MBB_Tickets, with online purchasing active until two hours prior to tip-off (Wednesday, 4:59 pm). The Carver Gym Box Office will start selling tickets at 6 pm (one hour prior to tip-off).
    The WWU Men's and Women's Basketball teams will host Viking Madness inside Carver Gym on Tuesday, October 26 to help kick off the 2021-22 season. The free on-campus event will begin at 7 pm with activities on WECU Court in Carver Gym. Due to health and safety precautions and the new WWU Fan Policy, there will be no fan interaction on the court, but several promotions and fun activities will be held. Basketball events will include a dunk contest for the men's team, 3-point shooting contests, player introductions, autograph poster giveaways, the Viking Band, WWU's amazing Hip Hop Dance Team and prize giveaways.
    There will be no live webcast of the WWU vs. Lincoln exhibition game, but fans can follow the action via Live Stats with a direct link at wwuvikings.com/MBB_Stats.
  Please note that all spectators ages 12 and older are required to provide proof of vaccination, including a CDC-issued Vaccination Record Card (or photo of the card) to enter ticketed events per WWU's updated fan policy for indoor events (went into place Oct. 18). Fans ages 12 and older who cannot provide proof of vaccination may present proof of negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours instead of proof of vaccination (for non-WWU students). WWU students need to show just their "Green Badge" that they are in good standing with the campus vaccination policy.
  Fans wishing to purchase season tickets for the 2021-22 season can call the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6103 to reserve their seats for the upcoming season.
  All media wishing to attend and cover the game between the Vikings and Lincoln should contact WWU Athletics Director of Athletic Communications Jeff Evans via email. The WWU Athletic Communications Office has plans to provide photographs and video highlights of the game that can be used by media entities.
  The complete 2021-22 WWU Men's Basketball Schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/21-22_MBB, complete with links to purchase tickets and live coverage links for webcast and live stats.
    One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, WWU has recorded a 20-win season in eight of the last 11 seasons. WWU is a six-time Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion and has appeared in the NCAA II Elite 8 three times. The Vikings won the 2011-12 NCAA Division II National Championship and advanced the following season to the NCAA II Final Four. Western has 20-win seasons in three of the last four years (and seven of nine) and won the 2020 GNAC Championships Tournament. WWU is the 12th winningest Division II program with its 1,514 all-time victories.