SPRINGFIELD, Ohio-- Wittenberg returns to the court in 2017-18 with high hopes in head coach Matt Croci's second year at the helm. Croci and his coaching staff hit the recruiting trail hard in 2017, adding nine new faces to the Tigers' program. Amongst the nine recruits, the Tigers boast NCAC transfer, Mitchell Balser, who joins the Tigers after cutting ties with Wooster. The Tigers also look to see big contributions in the frontcourt from freshman James Johnson, who prepped at Roger Bacon before arriving in Springfield.
"I am excited about the upcoming season with a lot of new faces and new energy. We're going from being a veteran team with a lot of game experience to a young team with a lot to prove," said Coach Croci.
Along with the nine newcomers, the Tigers return experience in the frontcourt with seniors Chad Roy and Chris Sloneker, along with sophomore Connor Seipel. The trio of sophomores Michael Morgan Jr., Jacob Bertemes and Jordan Pumroy return to the Tigers' backcourt as key players from the 2016-17 squad that finished 11-7 in NCAC play a year ago.
"We still have the best post player in the league in Chad Roy. He has been fantastic during the preseason, our best player every day in practice and is growing as a leader. We'll need to rely heavily on him this year and I know he's ready to produce," continued Croci.
The Tigers look to replace all-conference players Shane Edwards, Jaelin Williams, and Cody Phillippi, who were lost to graduation last year.
The Tigers took advantage of their pre-season, heading north of the border back in October to take on some of Canada's top competition. Wittenberg's Montreal trip was highlighted by a 74-64 win over Montmorency College, the 2017 Division I Provincial Collegiate National Champions.
Fans can catch the Tigers in action this weekend at the Great Lakes Invitational, hosted by Marietta. The Tigers open up on November 17 against HCAC power Mount St. Joseph and will play Birmingham-Southern on November 18. Links for live stats and video can be found on Wittenbergtigers.com.
Tiger fans can catch Wittenberg at home for the first time on November 21st, as the Tigers play host to the 2017 OAC-NCAC Challenge. Wittenberg will play Capital on Tuesday night at 8:00 P.M.
Picked to finish third in NCAC play by the league's coaches, Wittenberg will open up NCAC play with a home contest against the Yeomen of Oberlin on November 29, and a home game against Allgeheny on December 2.
As always, Tiger fans can catch both the men's and women's programs in action during the Kiwanis Holiday Classic on December 29 and 30, as Wittenberg will take on Ohio University-Chillicothe, followed by Marietta College.
Other key dates on the Tiger's schedule include Champion's Day on January 27, as the 1963, 1973, 1878, 1983, 1988 and 1993 will be honored when the Tigers tip-off against the Big Red of Denison at 3:00P.M. Wittenberg closes out the regular season against rival Wooster on February 17 at home, as the Tigers will honor the senior class of 2018 as well as play their annual alumni game before a 7:30P.M. tip-off against the Fighting Scots.
Wittenberg finished the 2016-17 campaign with an 18-9 overall record and an 11-7 NCAC mark. Wittenberg rattled off seven straight NCAC victories from January 21 to February 11, and earned a spot in the NCAC tournament. The Tigers dispatched Hiram in the NCAC quarterfinals 90-44 before falling to OWU 77-68 in the semifinals.
TOP RETURNERS
NAME HT WT HOMETOWN/HS 2016-17 STATISTICS
Chad Roy 6-9 235 Toledo, Ohio/Holland Springfield 10.4 PPG/3.8REBG/58% FG%
Connor Seipel 6-6 240 Columbus, Ohio/Groveport Madison 6.1 PPG/3.1 REBG/63.7 FG%
Jordan Pumroy 6-0 150 Fairborn, Ohio/Fairborn 3.1 PPG/2.3 REBG/1/2 A/G
TOP NEWCOMERS
NAME Yr. POS. HT WT HOMETOWN/HS
Mitchell Balser Jr. G 6-0 175 Centerville, Ohio/ Wooster
James Johnson Fr. F 6-6 225 Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon
Landon Martin Fr. G 6-3 170 Columbus, Ohio/ Africentric
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING: 6
LETTERWINNERS LOST: 5
STARTERS RETURNING: 1