Springfield, OH – After making an NCAA DIII record 30th tournament appearance in 2020. The Tigers reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2012, defeating Susquehanna, 77-73 in the second-round game. The Tigers are coming off a 28-2 season, going 17-1 in North Coast Athletic Conference action leading to the program's 13th regular-season title. Wittenberg has put together three consecutive 20+ win seasons, winning at least 15 NCAC contests twice in the past three years (2018 -- 16-2 | 2020 -- 17-1).
Wittenberg saw the departure of five graduating seniors from last year's team, including first-team All-NCAC and All-Great Lakes Region selection Connor Seipel, along with NCAC Defensive Player of the Year, Jake Bertemes. The Tigers averaged over 80 points per game last season, knocking down 48.5 percent from the field, holding opponents to just 66 points per contest. James Johnson comes off a first-team All-NCAC performance a year ago, averaging nearly 15 points per game. Johnson, being touted as the Tiger's next All-American candidate, converted on 47 percent of his looks from the floor, including 42 percent from three-point range. Coming off the bench during the 2019-20 season, Levi Boettcher made a big impression on the Wittenberg offense late in the season. Boettcher averaged nearly four points per game, adding three rounds while converting on 44 percent from the floor.
Wittenberg will welcome nine new faces into the fold for the condensed 2021 season. The Tigers have 10 games on the schedule, opening up on the road at the College of Wooster on Friday, Feb. 5. Wittenberg returns to Springfield, hosting the Scots on Saturday, Feb. 6 for the home opener. The Tigers will take on Wabash College, Ohio Wesleyan, DePauw University before closing out the season against Denison University.
Head Coach Matt Croci enters his fifth season at the helm of the Wittenberg program, accumulating an overall record of 97-20. The Tigers have earned three consecutive NCAA Tournament births under Croci's guidance, including 2018, 2019, and 2020. Croci picked up NCAC Coach of the Year accolades for the second time while at Wittenberg (2018, 2020). Check out the full interview with Coach Croci below.
Spectators will not be permitted at any indoor venues, as of today (2/3). This policy could change throughout the semester. Only necessary game day personnel will be admitted. Live video streams of home athletic contests will be provided by the Tiger Sports Network.