Titans Open at Home; Head to Michigan
OSHKOSH, Wis.- The UW-Oshkosh Titans, ranked No. 3 in the nation, also receiving two first place votes, by D3hoops.com are set to return to play at Kolf Sports Center, opening the season against Lawrence University (Wis.), before heading to Michigan to face Calvin University (Mich.) and Hope College (Mich.).
They have also been projected to finish in first place in the WIAC in the preseason poll released by the conference. They bring back 14 returning players, including 4 starters and add 5 new players.
Looking at the Titans
Last season, Levi Borchert led the Titans with a 61.9 field goal percentage and 198 field goals. He also led the Titans with an 18.1 points per game average and 10.7 rebounds per game (289 total rebounds). He was named to D3hoops.com's All-American first team. Reed Gunnink led with a 50.0 3-pointer percentage last season. Jonah Rindfleisch returns owning the most blocks on the team at 23 and a blocks per game average of 0.9.
Opening against Lawrence
The Titans open the season at home against Lawrence University (Wis.) on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Matt Lewis will coach against a college teammate and former top assistant on Tuesday. Casey Korn was Lewis' top assistant for three years before he left in 2021 to take the head coaching job at Lawrence. The Vikings finished 12-13 overall and 9-7 in the Midwest Conference last season. Sophomore Will Thomas led Lawrence last season with a .667 shooting percentage from the field. Junior Matthew Kaznikov made the most 3-pointers among Vikings shooters with 58. Kaznikov also averaged the highest points per game among returning players at 11.0. Top rebounder, Adnan Sarancic is also returning for the 2022-23 season. He grabbed a total of 183 rebounds (52 offensive), averaging 7.3 a game.
Heading to Michigan
In their first game in Michigan, they face the Calvin University Knights on Friday. Calvin is currently unranked but receiving votes in the preseason poll. The Knights finished 22-9 overall and 11-3 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association last season, losing to Hope College, 68-76 in the conference tournament finals. They advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division III tournament with wins over St. John's University (Minn.) and UW-Platteville, but lost to Elmhurst University (Ill.), 77-79. Uchenna Egekeze, who was their top blocker (34) returns. He also recorded 11.5 points per game and 120 rebounds on the season. Marcus Bult, who made 44 of his 103 3-point attempts (.427) also returns.
The Titans then head to Hope College on Saturday to face the Flying Dutchmen, who are also currently unranked but receiving votes. Hope's senior guard, Evan Thomas was named to D3hoops.com's All-American preseason fourth team. The Flying Dutchmen finished 22-7 overall and 12-2 in the MIAA last season, winning the conference tournament with a 76-68 victory over Calvin, before losing in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament to Wheaton College (Ill.), 69-71. Evan Thomas, the Flying Dutchmen's leader in field goals made (179), free throws made (170), points (549) and rebounds (251) is returning for the 2022-23 season. Clayton Dykhouse, who led Hope with 92 assists last season and 47 steals and Tanner Wiegerink, who had a team-best 26 blocks, return.
Staying on the Road
After the Titans return home from Michigan, they head to Aberdeen, S.D. to participate in the Small College Basketball Champions Classic on Nov. 18 and 19.