Illinois Wesleyan 2007-08 Men's Basketball Stories

Contact: Stew Salowitz (309) 556-3206

Also see other stories at Men's Basketball Archives

Illinois Wesleyan 2007-08 Preseason Information (pdf)

June 9
Kevin Bryant, who graduated from Illinois Wesleyan last month and was a three-year varsity basketball player for the Titans, passed away on Sunday, June 8, as a result of injuries suffered in a rafting accident in Colorado last week. Bryant, a Batavia High School product, averaged 1.9 points in 28 career games and started two games in the 2006-07 season when he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds. The entire Illinois Wesleyan community is saddened by the loss and extends its sympathy to “K.B.” and his family and many friends. Bryant's visitation will be Thursday, June 12 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Healy Chapel, 370 Division St., Sugar Grove. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 13 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2300 Main St., Batavia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Kevin Bryant Memorial Scholarship Fund at Illinois Wesleyan.
Go here for full web page.

March 1
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team lost in the championship game of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament, falling at Augustana 71-60 in Rock Island on Saturday, March 1. The Titans (16-11) were led by freshman Sean Johnson with 15 points, while senior Darius Gant added 14 points and freshman Travis Rosenkranz scored 10. Junior Brett Chamernik led Wesleyan with nine rebounds as Augustana claimed 42 boards to 35 for the Titans. The Titans trailed, 32-26, at halftime, shot .397 (23 of 58) from the field in the game but could get no closer than three points in the second half. Augustana gets the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tourney and improved to 22-5 and was led by the 14 points from Alex Washington.

February 29
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team will play for the championship of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament after an 81-78 win over Wheaton on Friday, February 29 at Rock Island, Ill. The Titans will tangle with No. 1 seed Augustana at 7:30 p.m. on March as the Vikings (now 21-5) escaped with a 69-68 overtime win against Elmhurst. IWU freshman Travis Rosenkranz led IWU with 20 points, freshman Sean Johnson added 16 and junior Brett Chamernik scored 12 points and had five rebounds. The Titans, who improved to 16-10, were outrebounded in the game, 39-27, but shot .553 from the field (26 of 47). The Thunder, whose record fell to 19-7, was led by the 34 point effort of Kent Raymond.

February 26
Illinois Wesleyan senior Darius Gant (pictured far left) was named to the first team and freshman Sean Johnson (near left) was chosen to the third team of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin men's basketball all-league teams announced Feb. 26. Gant led the league with 11.1 rebounds and 4.64 offensive boards per game and finished fifth in field goal percentage (.551). Johnson was third in CCIW play with 2.64 3-pointers per game, tied for 10th with 2.57 assists and tied (with Gant) for 13th with a 12.9 scoring average. The Titans finished tied for second with a 9-5 record and will play Wheaton at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29 in the CCIW postseason tournament in Rock Island. IWU led the league in rebounds (36.7) and 3-point defense (.323) and was third in scoring (70.8) and field goal defense (.446).

February 23
Senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill., HS) scored 28 points and collected 21 rebounds but the Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team lost to North Park in overtime at home, 67-57, on Saturday, Feb. 23. Gant was 12 of 18 from the field and had 10 offensive boards as IWU outrebounded the Vikings, 50-42. Gant’s 21 rebounds is tied for the sixth best effort in an IWU single game and he has 12 “double-doubles” (points-rebounds) this season. Freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill., HS) added 10 points but IWU guards were 4-for 41 from the field and connected on 3 of 30 3-point attempts. North Park, who outscored IWU 12-2 in the overtime, improved to 14-11 overall and 6-8 in the CCIW. The loss makes IWU 15-10 overall and 9-5 in the CCIW and the No. 2 seed Titans will face No. 3 seed Wheaton in the first round of the CCIW tournament at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29 at Augustana.

February 20
Illinois Wesleyan had its five-game win streak snapped in an 83-68 setback at Augustana in Rock Island on Wednesday, Feb. 20. Freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill., HS) led the Titans with 17 points while freshman Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Meridian HS) added 11 and senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill., HS) had 10 points. The Titans, who have clinched a spot in the league postseason tourney, fell to 15-9 overall and 9-4 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while Augustana claimed a share of the league title and the right to host the conference tournament Feb. 29-March 1 with a record of 10-3 in the CCIW and 19-5 overall. IWU's "Senior Night" is Saturday, Feb. 23, when the Titans host North Park at 7:30 p.m. Gant, Jason Bloom (Bloomington, Normal Community HS), Kevin Bryant (Batavia, Ill. HS) and Brian Nussbaum (Homewood, Homewood-Flossmoor HS) will be honored.

February 16
Illinois Wesleyan stayed in a first place tie in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with a 61-59 win at Wheaton on Saturday, Feb. 16. The IWU win assures the Titans of a spot in the conference's four-team postseason tourney. The Titans are 15-8 overall and 9-3 in the CCIW and will play at Augustana (also 9-3 CCIW) on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Ill., Benet Academy) led IWU with 17 points and 10 rebounds while freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill., HS) added 15 points. Senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill., HS) collected eight rebounds as IWU won the board war, 37-27. IWU led 35-23 at halftime and by as many as 15 (38-23) early in the second half. Wheaton got as close as one point with 3:44 to play. Kent Raymond had 17 to lead the Thunder (17-6, 7-5 CCIW).

February 13
Illinois Wesleyan moved into a first place tie in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with a 95-52 win over Millikin on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the Shirk Center. The IWU win coupled with an Augustana loss at Wheaton leave both IWU and Augie with 8-3 CCIW records. At 14-8 overall, IWU was led by junior Jordan Morris (Washington, Ill., Pekin HS) with 21 points and freshman  Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Ill., Lockport HS) added 12 with a game-high eight rebounds. Fourteen Titans scored with eight points coming from senior Jason Bloom (Bloomington, Ill., Normal Community HS) and seven points and six rebounds out of senior Brian Nussbaum (Homewood, Ill., Homewood-Flossmoor HS). IWU shot 55 percent from the field (36 of 65) and outrebounded the Big Blue, 47-30. Millikin, who made only one of 11 free threows, falls to 9-13, 2-9 CCIW. The Titans play at Wheaton (17-5, 7-4 CCIW) on Saturday, Feb. 16.

February 9
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team avenged an earlier season loss with a 75-71 win over Elmhurst on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Shirk Center. IWU improved to 13-8 overall and 7-3 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Bluejays fall to 15-6, 5-5 CCIW. Senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill., HS) had his 11th double-double of the season and fourth in a row, accounting for 20 points and 13 rebounds, while freshman Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Ill., Meridian HS) had 13, freshman Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Ill., Lockport HS) scored 11 and sophomore Sean Dwyer (Arlington Heights, Ill., Hersey HS) had 10. The Titans won the rebound war, 36-30, only committed nine turnovers in the game and survived a night when they shot only 43 percent (15 of 35) from the free throw line. Elmhurst was led by the 25 point, 10 rebound effort of Brent Ruch. The Titans host Millikin on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

February 7
Illinois Wesleyan freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill., HS) made seven 3-point baskets and scored 24 points to lead the Titans' men's basketball team to an 81-67 win at North Central in Naperville on Thurs., Feb. 7. The Titans improved to 12-8 overall and 6-3 and alone in second place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill., HS) scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, freshman Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Ill., Meridian HS) scored 13 points and freshman Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Ill., Lockport HS) added 10 points. IWU shot 52 percent (26 of 50) in the game and made 16 of 20 free throws (80 percent) while outrebounding the Cardinals, 33-20. North Central (9-11 overall, 3-6 CCIW) was led by the 23 point effort of Matt Rogers. IWU plays next at home against Elmhurst (15-5, 5-4 CCIW) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9.

February 4
Illinois Wesleyan senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill., HS) has been chosen "Player of the Week" for men's basketball in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin for the week of Jan. 26-Feb. 2 as he averaged 20 points and 17.5 rebounds in two games. Gant made nine-of-12 field goal tries and scored 22 points with 20 rebounds and two assists in an 87-77 home win over Carthage Feb. 2. Gant's 20 caroms were the most for an IWU player since Bill Braksick snared 23 vs. LeMoyne Owen on Nov. 20, 1987. It also tied a record for most individual rebounds in a game by a Carthage opponent (set by current UW-Oshkosh head coach Ted Van Dellen on Jan. 11, 1977). Gant was seven-of-14 from the field and scored 18 points with 15 rebounds and two assists in a 65-61 loss to Augustana on Jan. 30.

February 2
Illinois Wesleyan senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill. HS) scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to lead the Titans to an 87-77 win over Carthage at the Shirk Center on Saturday, Feb. 2. Gant's 20 boards was the most for an IWU player since Bill Braksick snared 23 against LeMoyne Owen on Nov. 20, 1987 and also tied a record for most individual rebounds in a game by a Carthage opponent (set by current Wisconsin-Oshkosh head coach Ted VanDellen on Jan. 11, 1977). Freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill. HS) added 15 points, sophomore Sean Dwyer (Arlington Heights, Ill., Hersey HS) scored 11 and junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Ill., Benet Academy) added 10 in the win as IWU improved to 11-8 overall and 5-3 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Carthage (also 11-8, 5-3 CCIW) was led by the 28 point effort of Steve Djurickovic. The Titans, who outrbounded the Red Men, 48-28, play next at North Central on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

January 30
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team let a five-point lead with 3:05 to play get away as Augustana scored the final nine points to claim a 65-61 win over the Titans on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the Shirk Center. The Titans fell to 10-8 overall and 4-3 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the No. 10-ranked Vikings improved to 14-4, 5-2 CCIW. Senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill., HS) scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as IWU outrebounded the Vikings, 37-36. Junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Ill., Benet Academy) and freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill. HS) each tallied nine points. IWU hosts No. 35-ranked Carthage at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Shirk Center.

January 26
Illinois Wesleyan held off a last second flurry by North Park and claimed a 57-55 win over the Vikings in Chicago on Saturday, Jan. 26. The Titans improved to 10-7 overall and 4-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while North Park fell to 2-4 in the league and 10-7 overall. Junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Ill., Benet Academy) was 7-of-7 from the field and finished with 14 points and seven rebounds while freshman Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Ill., Lockport HS) scored 11 points and freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill. HS) added 10 points and handed off four assists. IWU shot 48 percent (24 of 50) from the field and the Vikings outrebounded IWU, 29-23. The Titans host Augustana (13-4, 4-2 CCIW) at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

January 23
With a solid defensive effort and key shooting at critical times, Illinois Wesleyan knocked off the No. 22-ranked Wheaton Thunder, 63-60, on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Shirk Center. The Titans never trailed in the game as they improved to 9-7 overall and 3-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while Wheaton falls to 12-4, 2-3 CCIW. Freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill. HS) scored 15 to lead IWU and sophomore Sean Dwyer (Arlington Heights, Ill., Hersey HS) made his first start and scored 11 while handing out six assists. Freshman Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Ill., Meridian HS) scored 10 in the win and junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Ill., Benet Academy) had a team-high seven rebounds as Wheaton won the rebound battle, 38-25. Wheaton All-American junior Kent Raymond was limited to 17 points and forced into making seven turnovers. IWU plays next at North Park on Saturday, Jan. 26.

January 19
Illinois Wesleyan freshman Sean Johnson (Washington, Ill. HS) connected on seven 3-pointers and scored a career-high 25 points but the Titans dropped a 90-77 decision at Elmhurst on Saturday, Jan. 19. The Titans are 8-7 overall while the Bluejays improved to 12-3; both teams are 2-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. IWU trailed by as many as 18 in the first half, trailed 43-36 at halftime, and got back within three with 6:15 to play but could get no closer. Junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Ill., Benet Academy) scored 15 and grabbed seven rebounds, junior Jordan Morris (Washington, Ill., Pekin HS) added 12 and freshman Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Ill., Meridian HS) scored 10 and handed out seven assists. The Bluejays, who got 29 points from Ryan Burks, outrebounded the Titans, 43-27. After three straight road games, IWU will play at home against Wheaton at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23.

January 16
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team claimed a 62-47 win at Millikin on Wednesday, Jan. 16 to improve to 8-6 overall and 2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. The Titans were led by the 17 points and nine rebounds of senior Darius Gant (Oswego HS) while freshman Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Meridian HS) scored 13 and junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Benet Academy) added 12 points with six rebounds. The Titans led the Big Blue (8-6, 1-2 CCIW) in rebounds, 38-35, and forced 17 Millikin turnovers as the Big Blue shot just 36 percent (18 of 50) for the game. IWU plays next at Elmhurst at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19.

January 12
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team battled back from a 14 point first half deficit and took the game into overtime before losing at Carthage, 81-79, in Kenosha, Wis., on Saturday, Jan. 12. Senior Darius Gant (Oswego HS) collected a career-high 17 rebounds and scored 12 points, and freshmen Sean Johnson (Washington HS) and Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Lockport HS) added 16 and 14 points, respectively, to pace IWU (7-6 overall, 1-1 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin). The Titans outrebounded the Red Men, 44-28, and earned their first lead in the game with 11:12 to play at 57-54 after trailing by 14 in the first half. The score was 68-68 at the end of regulation and it was a basket by Carthage's Steve Djurickovic (who scored a game-high 23) with just two seconds left that proved the margin of victory. Carthage improved to 6-6, 1-1 CCIW. The Titans play next at Millikin on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

January 9
Illinois Wesleyan got four players in double figures in a 68-59 win over North Central on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at the Shirk Center in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener for both teams. The Titans are 7-5 overall and the Cardinals are 6-6. Freshman Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Meridian HS) scored 14 while junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Benet Academy) added 13, senior Darius Gant (Oswego HS) had 12 and junior Jordan Morris (Washington, Pekin HS) scored 11. Gant also collected a game-high 14 rebounds. Matt Rogers scored 13 to lead the Cardinals, who was limited to 4 of 21 in 3-point shooting. Rosenkranz handed out eight assists for the Titans, who play at Carthage on Saturday, Jan. 12.

December 31
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team will head into the conference season with a 6-5 record after claiming a 70-61 win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Monday, Dec. 31 in Claremont, Calif. Freshman Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Meridian HS) led the Titans with 18 points while junior Jordan Morris (Washington, Pekin HS) and freshman Matt Schick (Lincoln HS) each had 10 and freshman Sean Johnson (Washington HS) and sophomore Sean Dwyer (Arlington Heights, Hersey HS) each scored nine. Junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Benet Academy) had five rebounds as the Stags (now 5-4) outrebounded the Titans, 46-31. IWU, which connected on 20 of 27 free throws in the win, opens College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play at home vs. North Central on Wednesday, Jan. 9.

December 29
Illinois Wesleyan fell to 5-5 with an 88-67 loss to Occidental College in Los Angeles on Saturday, Dec. 29. Junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Benet Academy) had 16 points to pace IWU along with seven rebounds while senior Darius Gant (Oswego HS) scored 14 points and snared 10 caroms as IWU and the Tigers were even on the boards at 34-34. Junior Jordan Morris (Washington, Pekin HS) and freshman Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Lockport HS) each contributed eight points. IWU trailed by 19 in the first half but rallied in the second half to close within two at 49-47 but could get no closer. Connor Whitman scored 37 for the Tigers, who improved to 7-1. The Titans play at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in Claremont, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 31 in the final tuneup before beginning College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play in 2008.

December 18
Illinois Wesleyan improved to 5-4 with an 88-76 win at the Shirk Center over Hanover on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Benet Academy) led IWU with 19 points and senior Darius Gant (Oswego HS) scored 12 points and corralled 13 rebounds, tying his career high. Junior Jordan Morris (Washington, Pekin HS) scored 18 points and freshman Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Lockport HS) came off the bench to add 14 with four boards. The Titans, who outrebounded Hanover by a 38-23 margin, shot 56 percent from the field to hold off the 14 3-pointers made by the Panthers (6-4). IWU plays next at Occidental in Los Angeles on Dec. 29.

December 15
Illinois Wesleyan trailed the University of Chicago, 35-34, at halftime but the Maroons scored the first 18 points of the second half en route to an 85-70 downing of the Titans in men's basketball on Saturday, Dec. 15 in Chicago. The Titans (now 4-4 overall) got 16 points from freshman Sean Johnson (Washington HS) (who scored the team's first 13 points) and 13 from junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Benet Academy) in a game that allowed coach Ron Rose to play a number of other contributors, including sophomore guard Justin Anthony (Elgin, Academy), who scored six. The Titans were outrebounded, 35-30 as no Titan had more than three boards, and shot only 29 percent (five of 17) from 3-point range. IWU hosts Hanover at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at the Shirk Center.

December 8
Illinois Wesleyan led by as many as eight points in the first half and were tied with 7:40 to play in the game before losing at No. 12-ranked Washington U., 69-66, on Saturday, Dec. 8 in St. Louis. The Titans got a career-high 22 points (with six 3-pointers) from freshman Sean Johnson (Washington HS), 12 points and 11 rebounds from senior Darius Gant (Oswego HS) and 10 points from Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Lockport HS). IWU (now 4-3 overall) battled the Bears to a 33-33 draw in rebounds and committed only 11 turnovers to 13 for Washington U., who improved to 6-2. The Titans will play again next Saturday at the University of Chicago at 3 p.m.

December 5
Four Titan starters scored in double figures to lead Illinois Wesleyan to an 88-75 win over Illinois College on December 5 in Jacksonville. Senior Darius Gant (Oswego HS) poured in 26 points and gathered in a game-high eight rebounds to pace IWU while freshman guard Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Meridian HS) netted a career-best 20 points. Junior Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Benet Academy) scored 10 points with four rebounds and junior Jordan Morris (Washington, Pekin HS) added 18 points with five boards. IWU outrebounded the Blueboys, 36-24, and had 55 percent accuracy from the floor on 31 of 56 shooting.

December 3
Illinois Wesleyan junior center Brett Chamernik has been named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Basketball Player of the Week on Monday, Dec. 3, after his performance during the previous week of competition. Chamernik (Naperville, Ill., Benet Academy) poured in a career-high 27 points to lead Illinois Wesleyan to an 82-69 win over Webster on Dec. 2. Chamernik was nine-of-11 from the field (.818) and connected on nine-of-14 from the free throw line. He pulled down five rebounds and handed off three assists in 31 minutes of action. Chamernik, who has become a starter this season, scored a total of 37 points in 24 games last season.

December 2
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team improved to 3-2 this season with an 82-69 win over Webster at the Shirk Center on Sunday, Dec. 2. The Titans got 27 points and five rebounds from Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Ill., Benet Academy) while freshman Doug Sexauer (Honer Glen, Ill., Lockport HS) poured in 17 points and senior Darius Gant (Oswego, Ill., HS) added 11 with a game-high seven rebounds. Webster (2-3) had three players in double figures, led by Ryan Turk with 16. IWU plays next at Illinois College on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

November 24
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team earned a 69-67 win over Dominican at the Shirk Center on Saturday, Nov. 24. IWU (2-2) got 19 points and 12 rebounds from senior Darius Gant and 12 points and eight rebounds from junior Brett Chamernik. Freshman Doug Sexauer had nine points and nine rebounds. Dominican (1-2) had five players in double figures with Mike Haiduc and Dan Borys collecting 11 apiece. The Titans, who host Webster next Saturday, Dec. 1, held a 41-31 rebound edge and committed only nine turnovers to 12 for the Stars.

November 20
Illinois Wesleyan fell to 1-2 this season with a 97-79  loss.to Olivet Nazarene at the Shirk Center on Tuesday, Nov. 20. The Titans had four players in double figures, led by a career best 16 from Brett Chamernik. Darius Gant scored 14, Travis Rosenkranz had 13 and Sean Johnson scored 10. Gant and freshman Edmond O'Callaghan each snared six rebounds as the Tigers outrebounded IWU, 34-32.

November 17
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team lost a 75-55 decision to host school Albion (Mich.) in the College Basketball Classic hosted by the Rotary Club of Albion on Saturday, Nov. 17. The Titans shot just 37 percent from the field (19 of 52) and connected on only 11 of 28 free throws (39 percent) while committing 21 turnovers. Jordan Morris was the lone Titan in double figures with 13 while Darius Gant had nine points and five rebounds and was the only player from IWU chosen to the all-tournament team. The Titans (1-1) open their home season at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20 against NAIA Olivet Nazarene at the Shirk Center.

November 16
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team placed five players in double figures and defeated Tri-State (Ind.), 89-82 in overtime at the Albion (Mich.) Tournament on Friday, Nov. 16. Darius Gant scored 19 points and snared 13 rebounds and Jordan Morris also contributed 19 in the win. Freshmen Doug Sexauer (15 points) and Sean Johnson (10) and junior Brett Chamernik (10) also scored in double digits for the Titans, who led by as many as 19 in the first half. IWU was 34 of 66 from the field (.515) and connected on only 16 of 30 free throws (.533). IWU will play the winner of the Albion-Rochester (Mich.) game on Saturday.

October 31
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team earned 16 points and is tabbed seventh in the annual preseason College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin preseason coaches' poll. IWU (coached for the second year by Ron Rose) was 11-14 overall and 4-10 in the CCIW last season and returns two starters from that squad. IWU opens its season in the Albion (Mich.) Tournament on Nov. 16 against Tri-State and will play either Rochester (Mich.) or the host school the next day. Two-time defending CCIW champion Augustana is picked to win the CCIW with 47 points and six first place votes while Elmhurst is second with 43 points and the other two first place votes.

July 24
Illinois Wesleyan University graduate Zach Freeman has signed to play professional basketball in Germany for the upcoming season. The 6-foot-7 forward will play with the Hagen Phoenix of the 2.Bundesliga Pro A League in Germany, the country’s second highest-caliber league. Freeman, who was a two-time Division III All-American as a senior last winter when he averaged 21.6 points and 9.1 rebounds for the Titans, joins former teammate Keelan Amelianovich as a European pro player – Keelan played last season in Llíria, Spain. Freeman is represented by Gerrit Kersten-Thiele of Scorers 1st Management and is departing for Europe in late July. One of his Hagen teammates will be Melvin Hall of Division II Southern Indiana.