OREM, Utah— Former Utah Valley University men's basketball players Ben Aird, Taylor Brown, Keawe Enos and Holton Hunsaker visited practice this week and spoke to the team as the Wolverines head into their final home game of the season Saturday against Bakersfield.
 
Aird, Brown, Enos and Hunsaker spent some time with the team after practices this past week to offer their thoughts, feelings and advice for the players as they head into Senior Night on Saturday.
 
The former players were senior members of last year's Western Athletic Conference championship team that led the Wolverines to their first-ever appearance at the NIT. The four players led UVU to a 20-12 overall record and a 13-3 mark in WAC play.
 
"It's been very cool to have those guys around," said Bruneel. "I played with those guys and it means a lot to have them come out and speak to us. Each of them brought a different aspect of motivation and it has had a real positive impact on us this week."
 
Utah Valley will honor its three seniors prior to Saturday night's game against Bakersfield. Mitch Bruneel, Brenden Evans and Chad Ross will each be honored in a ceremony prior to tip-off. The three seniors will be playing their final game at the UCCU Center on Saturday night.
 
"They are great young men who have worked hard for us," said Utah Valley head coach Dick Hunsaker. "We want to give our best effort in support of them Saturday."
 
Bruneel will be playing in his 60th game as a Wolverine on Saturday night. Bruneel was named to last year's all-WAC defensive team. He averaged over 10 points and five rebounds last season to help UVU to the WAC title. His 334 rebounds ranks fourth all time at UVU. He also ranks fifth in scoring with 659 points.
 
Evans enters his 58th game as a Wolverine on Saturday. He saw time in each of UVU's 32 games last season as he helped the Wolverines to a regular season title. His 10 career blocks ranks in the top-10 all-time at Utah Valley. Evans has tallied 214 career points and has pulled down 173 career rebounds at UVU.
 
Ross was also a member of last year's WAC championship team as he played in each of the team's 32 contests last season. He has nearly 100 career points and 100 career rebounds in his career at Utah Valley. He has saw time in 17 games this year, doubling his scoring average from last season.
 
Saturday's game against Bakersfield will tip-off at 7:05 p.m. MT. UVU will begin WAC Tournament play on Thursday at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.