Illinois Wesleyan men open season with loaded Sikma Invitational
BLOOMINGTON – After playing exhibitions against Big East Conference members DePaul and Butler, Illinois Wesleyan coach Ron Rose is convinced his team is a "group that's really going to compete."
The Titans will need a high level of competitiveness this weekend as they open the regular season in the Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational at Shirk Center with three other nationally ranked programs.
No. 16-ranked Wesleyan takes on No. 24 California Lutheran at 5 p.m. Friday with No. 2 Wisconsin-Platteville meeting No. 9 Calvin at 7 p.m.
Friday's losers play at 5 p.m. Saturday with the championship to follow at 7 p.m.
"It's off the charts," Rose said. "All four teams deserve to be ranked. All four teams project as teams that could get to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and you're doing it the first weekend."
The Titans finished 19-8 last season and return three senior starters in 6-foot-10 Harrison Wilmsen, 6-8 Nick Roper and 6-3 Hakim Williams.
"They were exciting opportunities. I thought we really went out there and competed," Roper said of the exhibitions. "I think this is going to be a blue-collar, hard-working, fun group to watch. It's going to be a really fun season."
A third team preseason All-American according to d3hoops.com , Roper topped IWU with averages of 12.4 points and 5.9 rebounds last season. Wilmsen added 11.2 points and Williams 7.2.
That trio is joined as starters by a pair of sophomores in 6-5 University High product Mason Funk and 5-11 point guard Jackson Niego.
"This group is going to stick its nose in there and play hard," said Rose. "This group has been very coachable. They want to be good, and that's a great starting point."
Funk steps into the starting lineup after getting an average of 11 minutes per game off the bench as a freshman.
"Mason just goes out and plays and nothing seems to faze him," Rose said. "I think he's poised to have a really big season for us."
The Titans bring a rebounding specialist off the bench in 6-6 senior Marko Anderson, a 3-point threat in 6-3 senior Trey Bazzell and a versatile junior in 6-5 Karlo Colak. Highly regarded freshman guard Josh Fridman also could be a factor.
"There are a lot of players on our team capable of contributing," said Rose. "We as a staff have to figure out what that number is that makes us the best and in what combination. And that's a process."
Junior Nick Tingley will miss the season with an injury, while sophomore Brady Kuehl is expected back in December from a foot injury. Both played primarily on the varsity reserve team last season.
Schmitt joins staff
Former Illinois State player Ryan Schmitt has joined the IWU coaching staff as a graduate assistant.
"Ryan has been a great addition to our staff. He's jumped in right away," Rose said. "He's been willing to do the dirty work, but he also brings a wealth of playing experience. He's really going to help our post guys."
