Illinois Wesleyan 2008-09 Men's Basketball Stories

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Illinois Wesleyan 2008-09 Preseason Information (pdf)

Illinois Wesleyan Men's Team in 2008-09 Division III National Rankings

February 14
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team were outscored 49-31 in the second half and lost an 86-60 decision to Wheaton on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Shirk Center. The Titans fall to 13-10 overall and 5-7 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while No. 10-ranked Wheaton improved to 20-3 overall and 9-3 in first place in the CCIW. Sophomore center Doug Sexauer had 12 points while sophomore Sean Johnson and senior Brett Chamernik each scored 10. Chamernik had a game-high seven rebounds as IWU outrebounded the Thunder, 28-24. The Thunder shot 59 percent from the field (35 of 54) as senior Kent Raymond poured in 28 points. Wheaton accounted for 28 points in the lane, scored 20 points off turnovers and led by as many as 30 points with 7:40 to play in the contest. Wesleyan plays at Millikin on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Decatur at 7:30 p.m.

February 11
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team went on the road to win a 67-64 decision at North Park in Chicago on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Titans are now 13-9 overall and 5-6 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Illinois Wesleyan, who led by as many as 21 in the first half, got 14 points from freshman John Koschnitzky and 11 points each from Doug Sexauer and Travis Rosenkranz. IWU was outrebounded, 36-28, and shot 45 percent from the field. Nick Williams scored 20 points to pace the Vikings, who fell to 8-15 overall and 0-12 in the league. The Titans will host No. 10-ranked Wheaton at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14.

February 7
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team shot 55 percent from the field (24-44) and made 10 3-pointers in a 77-71 win over North Central on Saturday, Feb. 7 in Naperville, Ill. Wesleyan improved to to 12-9 overall and 4-6 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while the Cardinals fell to 14-7, 6-4 CCIW. Sophomore Travis Rosenkranz scored 18 points to lead IWU while sophomore Sean Johnson added 17. Freshman John Koschnitzky added 10 points and had a team-high seven rebounds as IWU held a 30-25 advantage on the boards. Matt Rogers came off the bench to score 21 for North Central and Chris Drennan added 19. The Titans will play at North Park in Chicago on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

February 4
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team fell to 11-9 overall and 3-6 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with a 74-67 loss to Carthage at the Shirk Center on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The Titans placed four players in double figure scoring, led by sophomore Doug Sexauer with 21. Sophomore Travis Rosenkranz had 13, sophomore Sean Johnson scored 12 and freshman John Koschnitzky added 11. Sexauer also had a game-high eight rebounds as the Red Men (14-6, 6-3 CCIW) held a 35-34 rebound edge, The Titans shot 46 percent from the field (26 of 57) compared to 37 percent (22 of 59) for the Red Men. Carthage's Steve Djurickovic led three Red Men who scored 20+ points as he hit for 25. The Titans play at North Central (14-6, 6-3 CCIW) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7.

January 31
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team, who led by 14 in the first half, lost a 98-92 decision at Elmhurst on Saturday, Jan. 31 and fell to 11-8 overall and 3-5 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Wesleyan led by a 14-point margin (19-5) with 14:01 to play in the first half before the Bluejays, ranked No. 17 in the current D3hoops.com poll, climbed to within one at 50-49 at halftime. Elmhurst outscored IWU, 49-42, in the second half. Sophomore Sean Johnson led the Titans with 23 points while sophomore Doug Sexauer contibuted 15. Also in double figure scoring were sophomore Travis Rosenkranz with 14 and Brett Chamernik and John Koschnitzky each had 11. Freshman Jordan Zimmer led the team with six rebounds as the Titans held a 28-26 edge on the boards. IWU shot a blistering 62 percent (36 of 58) from the field and made 13 of 20 free throws (65 percent) while the Bluejays made 29 of 32 free throw tries (91 percent) and shot 54 percent (31 of 57) from the field. Brent Ruch led the Bluejays (15-4 overall, 6-2 CCIW) with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Wesleyan is back in action at home on Wednesday, Feb. 4, hosting Carthage at 7:30 p.m.

January 28
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team survived a slow start (trailed by 10 at 14-4) to come back and defeat Millikin, 81-64, at the Shirk Center on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The Titans improved to 11-7 overall and 3-4 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with the win as sophomore Doug Sexauer connected on 10 of 12 shots from the field and finished with a game-high 20 points. Jordan Zimmer scored 16, John Koschnitzky had 12 and Travis Rosenkranz and Sean Dwyer each scored 10. Edmond O'Callaghan led the Titans with six rebounds and Sexauer had five. IWU outscored the Big Blue (12-6, 2-5 CCIW) by a 46-35 total in the second half and for the game IWU shot 58 percent from the field (28 of 48). Wesleyan will play next at Elmhurst on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m.

January 24
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team lost an 82-66 decision at Augustana in Rock Island on Saturday, Jan. 24, to fall to 10-7 overall and 2-4 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. The Titans rallied from an early 13-point deficit (18-5) to trail by only three at halftime (36-33) and had the game tied at 50-50 with 12:47 to play but the Vikings (14-4, 5-2 CCIW) outscored Wesleyan 32-16 from then on to claim the win. Wesleyan got 18 points from freshman John Koschnitzky and 12 points from freshman Jordan Zimmer with sophomore Sean Johnson contributing 11. Augustana outrebounded IWU, 36-33, as Koschnitzky had a team-high six boards. Wesleyan made 10 of 23 3-pointers (.435) but connected on only six of 14 free throw shots (.429) while Augustana made 25 of their 30 free throw attempts (.833). Wesleyan returns home to face Millikin in a 7:30 p.m. start on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

January 21
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team improved to 2-3 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with a 102-82 win over North Park at the Shirk Center on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The Titans are 10-6 overall and North Park fell to 8-9 overall and 0-6 in the CCIW. Jordan Zimmer made four 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 22 points as Doug Sexauer scored 17, Sean Dwyer and John Koschnitzky each had 12 and Jordan Morris added 11 in the win. Travis Rosenkranz had a career-high 10 assists as IWU shot 63 percent in the game from the floor (37 of 59) and made 19 of 20 free throws. Roshawn Russell scored 19 points in 16 minutes off the bench for the Vikings and Nick Williams added 18. The Titans, who scored over 100 points for the first time since getting 113 in March 2006 vs. Puget Sound in an NCAA game, travel to face Augustana to play the Vikings at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.

January 17
Illinois Wesleyan got off to a sluggish start and lost a 90-72 verdict to Elmhurst at the Shirk Center on Saturday, Jan. 17. The Titans shot just 39 percent from the field in the first half and trailed, 48-33 at intermission. The Titans (now 9-6 overall, 1-3 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) got 19 points from sophomore Travis Rosenkranz and 15 from sophomore Doug Sexauer while sophomore Sean Johnson and freshman Jordan Zimmer each contributed 10. Wesleyan improved to 54 percent shooting from the field in the second half (14 of 26) and finished at 46 percent for the game (26 of 57). Elmhurst outrebounded IWU, 37-25, and shot 54 percent (28 of 52) in the game. Brent Ruch had 25 points and Chris Childs came off the bench to contribute 22 for the Bluejays (11-4, 2-2 CCIW). The Titans' next action is on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at home against North Park at 7:30 p.m.

January 15
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team picked up its first win in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, claiming a 73-70 decision at Carthage on Thursday, Jan. 15 in Kenosha, Wis. The Titans improved to 9-5 overall and 1-2 in the league while the Red Men are 10-4, 2-1 CCIW. Wesleyan, who trailed by a 36-32 score at the half, got 16 points each from sophomores Doug Sexauer (who also had 10 rebounds) and Sean Johnson while Travis Rosenkranz added 10. Junior Sean Dwyer collected eight points and made two key free throws with 16 seconds left that gave IWU the final margin of victory. Both teams had 33 rebounds in the game and IWU committed 14 turnovers to Carthage's nine. Division III's leading scorer Steve Djurickovic of the Red Men amassed 34 points in the loss. The Titans are at home on Saturday, Jan. 17 for a 7:30 p.m. match with Elmhurst (10-4, 1-2 CCIW).

January 10
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team, leading at halftime 34-29, lost by a 77-70 score to North Central at the Shirk Center on Saturday, Jan. 10. The Titans fall to 8-5 overall and 0-2 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while North Central improved to 10-3 overall, 2-0 CCIW. IWU was led by the 19 points of sophomore Travis Rosenkranz while Sean Johnson added 16, Doug Sexauer had 14 and John Koschnitzky had 10. The Titans outrebounded the Cardinals, 29-28, and committed 16 turnovers to North Central's 10. IWU had 26 fouls and North Central had 25 as 64 free throws were shot in the game. IWU plays next at Carthage on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

January 7
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team rallied from an eight-point second half deficit but fell short in a 74-70 loss at No. 1-nationally ranked Wheaton on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The Titans fell to 8-4 while the Thunder improved to 12-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener for both clubs. Sophomore Doug Sexauer led five Titans in double figures with 15 points, joined by Sean Johnson with 13, Travis Rosenkranz with 12 and Brett Chamernik and Edmond O'Callaghan with 11 apiece. Sexauer and O'Callaghan each had eight rebounds as the Titans won the rebound war, 36-24. Wesleyan was guilty of 17 turnovers while the Thunder committed 10 in a game that saw the Titans lead by 13 in the first half. Thunder All-American Kent Raymond scored 38 points in the win. Wesleyan will host North Central at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10. The Cardinals were 81-66 winners vs. North Park in their CCIW opener.

January 3
Freshman Jordan Zimmer came off the bench to connect on seven 3-pointers for 21 points to lead the Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team to an 82-59 nonconference win over Illinois College on Saturday, Jan. 3 at the Shirk Center. Freshman John Koschnitzky scored 18 points and senior Brett Chamernik had 11 points and 10 rebounds, tying his career high. Wesleyan (7-3) connected on 58 percent of its 3-point tries (11 of 19) and forced 20 Blueboy turnovers. Illinois College (3-6) got 12 points from David Stewart. The Titans open College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at No. 2-ranked Wheaton at 7:30 p.m.

December 30
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team rallied from a 14-point first half deficit (22-8) to claim an 82-73 win over NAIA Missouri Baptist in the consolation game of the Northwood U. Christmas Classic in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Senior Brett Chamernik led five Titans in double figures with 19 points while sophomore Travis Rosenkranz scored 15, sophomore Doug Sexauer had 12, and freshman Jordan Zimmer and sophomore Sean Johnson each collected 11. The Titans (7-3) shot 53 percent from the floor (33 of 62) and were 9-of-17 from beyond the 3-point arc. IWU committed 14 turnovers compared to 16 for Missouri Baptist (5-9) and each team collected 33 rebounds. IWU will come home to wrap up their nonconference schedule against Illinois College (2-5) on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

December 29
Robert Broughton banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give St. Xavier a 74-72 win over Illinois Wesleyan in the Northwood U. Christmas Classic in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Monday, Dec. 29. Senior Brett Chamernik led the Titans with 18 points and eight rebounds while sophomore Travis Rosenkranz added 15 points and freshman John Koschnitzky had 13 points and eight rebounds. The Titans, who fall to 6-3, outrebounded the Cougars, 38-29, but were guilty of 22 turnovers compared to 15 for St. Xavier (10-6). Wesleyan, who will play either Northwood or Missouri Baptist at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 30, shot 49 percent from the field (23 of 47) and had an 11-point first half lead. Broughton led NAIA St. Xavier with a game-high 24 points.

December 19
After trailing at halftime, 30-29, the Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team used a 15-0 run early in the second half and outscored the University of Chicago, 41-25, in the second half and earned a 70-55 win over the Maroons at the Shirk Center on Friday, Dec. 19. Wesleyan (6-2) got 19 points from Doug Sexauer while Sean Johnson added 12 and Brett Chamernik scored 11. IWU snared 32 rebounds to 25 for Chicago (0-10) and freshman John Koschnitzky led the team with eight. Jake Pancratz connected for 17 and Matt Corning had 11 for Chicago. IWU's next play will be against St. Xavier on Dec. 29 in the Northwood U. Christmas Tournament in West Palm Beach, Fla.

December 17
Freshman John Koschnitzky made a 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining to give Illinois Wesleyan a 76-75 overtime win at Hanoveron Wednesday, Dec. 17. Wesleyan had four players in double figures, led by sophomore Sean Johnson with 21 and sophomore Doug Sexauer with 15 points and nine rebounds. Junior Sean Dwyer and sophomore Travis Rosenkranz each added 10 points as the Titans improved to 5-2. The Panthers slipped to 2-7 and got 24 points and eight rebounds from Mitchell Meyer.

December 7
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball snapped a two-game losing streak with a 70-55 win over Hamilton (N.Y.) at the Lopata Classic in St. Louis on Sunday, Dec. 7. The Titans finished 1-1 in the tournament and improved to 4-2 as they amassed a 38-25 halftime lead. Sophomore Sean Johnson scored 16 points and freshmen Jordan Zimmer and John Koschnitzky scored 15 and 14, respectively. Zimmer connected on five 3-pointers as IWU was 10 of 19 from beyond the arc. Johnson and sophomore Travis Rosenkranz were named to the all-tournament team. Against Hamilton (4-2), the Titans were guilty of 21 turnovers but easily won the rebounding war by a 52-31 margin, led by nine from sophomore Doug Sexauer. With final exams next week the Titans are idle until Wednesday, Dec. 17 when they play on the road at Hanover (Ind.) in a 6:30 p.m. (Central time) game.

December 6
The No. 13-ranked Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team fought a noble battle before losing to No. 1 ranked and defending champion Washington U., 93-86, at the Lopata Classic in St. Louis on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Titans led 63-62 with 12:45 to play and the teams were tied at 65-65. Sophomore Travis Rosenkranz led the Titans with 20 points and six rebounds while Sean Johnson had 17, Doug Sexauer added 13 and Edmond O'Callaghan had 10 points and five rebounds. The Bears (now 7-0) led at halftime, 46-43. Wesleyan, now 3-2 after its second straight loss, will play Hamilton (4-1) at noon on Sunday, Dec. 7.

December 2
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team lost its first game of the season, dropping a 76-63 decision at Olivet Nazarene on Tuesday, Dec. 2 in Bourbonnais, Ill. The Titans (3-1 overall) led at halftime, 31-25, but were outscored by the Tigers (4-5) in the second half by a 51-32 margin. Sophomore Sean Johnson led the way with 12 points and freshman John Koschnitsky added 11 as Wesleyan shot 41 percent from the field. Earlier in the day the Titans improved to No. 13 in the first weekly D3hoops.com poll after being No. 18 in the preseason rankings. IWU will play at No. 1-ranked and defending Division III champion Washington U. at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

November 30
The Illinois Wesleyan man's basketball team improved to 3-0 with a 95-77 nonconference win over Maryville (Mo.) at the Shirk Center on Sunday, Nov. 30. The Titansgot 19 points and 10 rebounds from sophomore Doug Sexauer while sophomore Travis Rosenkranz added 16, senior Brett Chamernik had 13 points and six boards, and sophomore Edmond O'Callaghan scored 10 points with seven rebounds. Wesleyan held a 45-38 rebound advantage and shot 49 percent from the field (34 of 70) while focing 21 turnovers. Maryville (1-3) got a team-high 14 points from Kyle Winters. IWU will play next at Olivet Nazarene on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

November 22
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team improved to 2-0 with a 78-73 win over the host school in the Manchester College 11th annual Bankers Classic on Saturday, Nov. 22 in North Manchester, Ind. Sophomore Sean Johnson was selected as the tournament "Most Valuable Player" as he scored 19 points and hit five 3-pointers in the victory. Sophomore Travis Rosenkranz added 14 and freshman John Koschnitsky scored 12 in the game that saw IWU lead by as many as 17 in the second half before the Spartans (2-2) pared the lead to one. Sophomore Doug Sexauer, who had nine points and seven rebounds on Saturday, was also named to the all-tourney team. Wesleyan shot 48 percent from the floor (28 of 59) and made 12 of 23 3-pointers (52 percent). IWU next plays Maryville on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. in the Shirk Center.

November 21
Led by freshman Jordan Zimmer with 17 points, four Titans scored in double figures to lead the Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team to a 90-70 win over Taylor-Fort Wayne in the Bankers' Classic Tournament at Manchester, Ind., on Friday, Nov. 21. Zimmer made five 3-poiners and was joined in double figure scoring by sophomore Doug Sexauer with 14, sophomore Duncan Lawson with 12 and freshman John Koschnitsky with 11, who shared team rebound honors with Lawson as each grabbed seven. In the season opening win, IWU shot .554 from the field (36 of 65) and forced 17 turnovers by Taylor-Fort Wayne (who fell to 2-5) while committing only nine turnovers. Wesleyan will play the winner of the game between Manchester and Kalamazoo at 2 p.m. (Central time) in the tournament championship.

October 29
The Illinois Wesleyan men’s basketball team has been picked fourth in the preseason College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin coaches poll, released on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The Titans, ranked No. 18 in the D3hoops.com national Division III poll, received 32 points and trailed Wheaton, defending champion Augustana and Elmhurst. Wheaton, coming off an appearance in the NCAA Division III sectional final, got five of the eight first place votes. The Thunder recently placed third in the D3Hoops.com preseason poll and ninth in the DIII News poll. Additionally, Wheaton guard Kent Raymond was named the preseason player of the year by DIII News. Augustana, was ranked second by D3Hoops.com, fourth by the Sporting News Magazine, and sixth by DIII News got 43 points (three first place votes). The Vikings. Elmhurst, ranked 17th by D3Hoops.com, had 38 points. Carthage (25), North Central (19), North Park (14) and Millikin (seven) rounded out the preseason poll. The men, coached by Ron Rose, open their season vs. Taylor-Fort Wayne on Friday, Nov. 21 at the Manchester (Ind.) tournament.

October 24
The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team has been picked No. 18 in the preseason NCAA Division III poll conducted by the online service D3hoops.com. IWU, coached for the third year by Ron Rose, returns four starters from a team that was 16-11 overall, tied for second in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with a 9-5 mark and advance to the championship game of the CCIW tourney. The Titans open their season against Taylor-Fort Wayne on Friday, Nov. 21 at the Manchester (Ind.) College Tip-Off Tournament. Augustana (No. 2), Wheaton (No. 3) and Elmhurst (No. 17) are other CCIW teams in the top 25, which is headed by defending champion Washington U.

July 21
In 2008-09 Illinois Wesleyan looks to improve on its 16-11 season that saw the Titans tie for second in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with a 9-5 mark and advance to the championship game of the CCIW tourney. The Titans open their season against Taylor-Fort Wayne on Friday, Nov. 21 at the Manchester (Ind.) College Tip-Off Tournament. IWU begins league play on January 7 at Wheaton. Among the returning players is sophomore Sean Johnson, a third team all-CCIW selection who finished with 312 points, the 10th highest total for a freshman at IWU and his 60 3-point field goals is tied for 11th most in a Wesleyan season. Head coach Ron Rose has a 27-25 mark in two seasons at his alma mater.