Men's Basketball 11/7/2017 5:23:00 PM Chris Myers

Cardinals Men’s Basketball Carries High Expectations into 2017-18 Season

WHEELING, W.Va. – Following its deepest NCAA run in program history, the Cardinals are set to fly further this season on the court. The Wheeling Jesuit men's basketball team carries high expectations for another memorable journey in the upcoming 2017-18 campaign.

The No. 19 ranked Cardinals come off their third 20-plus win season in a row at 25-8 and second-straight NCAA DII Atlantic Regional appearance with last year's run not ending until the Regional Final's 'Sweet 16' round. In his 11^th season, WJU head coach Danny Sancomb has another talented roster primed for the next successful season and long playoff drive.

As the top Mountain East Conference squad in league's Coaches Preseason Poll, Sancomb's crew has All-MEC seniors Pat Moseh and Haywood Highsmith, third-leading scorer sophomore Preston Boswell and steady senior point guard Drake Goddard leading the Cardinals effort.

The Cardinals top returning quartet will need to have their impact felt with seven new faces dotting the majority of the rest of this season's roster.

"We have a lot of new faces, which is exciting. We lost five outstanding seniors and have seven new faces this year. I am excited for our coaching staff with so many new guys as the whole team is eager to learn and work extremely hard," noted Sancomb. "We're doing a lot of teaching, but the team is also doing a lot of learning. It will be a challenge to get the offense off to the right start with all the new faces and have them understand the importance of each game. We need to continue to grow as the season goes and be ready to play come November 10."

The Cardinals learning session will have their first official test this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10-11, at Shepherd University's Clarion Hotel Classic. WJU opens Friday late afternoon against the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division's predicted second-place team Gannon University at 5:30 p.m., before they play Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association member Bowie State on Saturday in a 4 p.m. tip-off.

The early Cardinals team cohesion is important, as well, for a good early start to set the tone for the season. The top four WJU returners will need to guide their teammates and be a big part of the driving force.

"The leadership of our three seniors is great and their knowledge of what it takes to win. We need them to carry that insight on to the new guys," said Sancomb. "As a whole, we need our team to play together, take good shots and play great defense."

WJU looks to improve upon their 'Sweet 16' finish last year, which was only stopped by National Finalist and MEC Champion Fairmont State. It is a new year, but the same challenge to be better for not only a potential MEC title, but Sancomb's guys have their sights set higher.

"We have a chance to be better defensively and a chance to be really good offensively as well as in the transition game and doing a better job stretching the floor," pointed out the Cardinals coach. "The MEC will be very good as it has been on the top Division II conferences in the nation. There are great players returning across the league and you will see great players popping up in new places."

After playing together and working out all summer again, WJU's two 1,000-point scorers, Moseh and Highsmith, aim to finish their WJU careers with their best campaigns. The two have combined for 2,566 points on 926 of 1,854 field goals for a .499 field goal percentage, 1,387 rebounds and 468 assists in 189 career games. The two are separated by only 28 career points with Moseh having the slight edge (1,297 to 1,269 points) as each will be the 'go to' player of the Cardinals inside and outside fronts.

Heading the backcourt players, Moseh continues to be one of the toughest matchup players of the Atlantic Region. The 6-6 guard led the WJU effort at 16.2 points to go with 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per night averages. He set a career-high in season points with 536 points, more than 155 points than his second season, and registered his second 100-plus assist year.

"We need Pat to do everything. He is our best perimeter defender and has the ability to play the point through the four. Pat has improved dramatically with his shooting, but he needs to continue to attack the rim and put pressure on the defense," said Sancomb.

Joining Moseh at shooting guard, the budding playmaker Boswell will try to improve on a solid first year. Boswell averaged 13.5 points per game with five 20-plus outings, including a 21-point game against Shippensburg in the NCAA Second Round. The New Martinsville, W.Va., native downed a team-high 57 3-pointers at a .396 percent rate.

"He makes shots and scores by attacking the rim," said the WJU director. "He is bigger and stronger and better than last year and has the ability to be a playmaker this season."

The steady Goddard provides a calming presence running the WJU point. With an ankle injury taking away time from him late last season, the senior is healthy now. Over 24 games last year, Goddard committed only 29 turnovers, while handing out 50 assists for solid 1.7 assist to turnover ratio. He has a 3.6 point and a 2.0 assist per game career averages in 83 games.

"Drake came back in tip-top shape. He does a good job leading on the floor and as a defender. He does an excellent job of knocking down the open shot and running the team," added Sancomb.

Behind Goddard and Boswell, WJU has three new guards – freshmen Brent Pegram and Brendan Hoban and junior transfer Miguel Rodriguez. At the point, Pegram from Henry Wise High in Upper Marlboro, Md., adds quickness and an on-ball defender, who can get in the lane, find the open teammate and finish at the rim. The first-year Cardinal has a high energy level and the coaching staff is excited about his future with the program.

Shooting guard Hoban (Watertown, Mass./Millbrook School) brings another high energy new backcourt player to the rotation. Brendan scores baskets, is a very good shooter and will be a hard player to guard after he becomes comfortable in the offense.

Rodriguez is a combo guard who shoots the ball well and can handle the rock. He comes from Garrett College where he averaged 10.4 points and 2.1 assists a year ago.

Behind Moseh, sophomore Zach Collins returns as a much-improved player from his first year at the three-spot. The second-year player has the ability to knock down the open shot and has improved as a defender.

Junior returner Zack Duffy brings another leader to the backcourt, who will help at the point guard spot. Freshman Jakoby Lane-Harvey is a good defender and makes plays in the open court, while redshirt freshman Alex Kassolis adds another good 3-point shooter to the guard depth.

One of the premiere Atlantic Region inside players, power forward Highsmith guides the WJU inside attack. The two-time All-MEC performer has increased his production each of his first three Cardinals seasons. He was one of the few regional players to average a double-double at 15.3 points and 10.8 rebounds per night. Haywood recorded 14 double-doubles, including a 23-point and 16-rebound game against West Liberty in the NCAA First Round. The Baltimore, Md., senior is on pace to enter the rare career territory of 1,000 points (1,269 current points) and 1,000 rebounds (862 current rebounds).

"We need Haywood to do what he does," Sancomb plainly pointed out. "He is the top rebounder in the region, scores inside and outside and can defend multiple positions on defense. He is a much improved player from last year."

Highsmith will have new inside teammates with more than 1,000-career point scorer Kyle Ritz gone. Junior transfers Jeremiah Wilson and Ryan Cooper look to take over on the other WJU inside position. Wilson is a very strong physical player and a good rebounder. The 6-6 Chicago product passes well, has the ability to attack the rim and will be a good defender. The forward put up 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per night for Kennedy-King College last season.

At 6-8, Cooper has great size and brings an ability to stretch the floor with his shooting ability. He can pass the ball and crash the boards as the coaching staff expects him to continue to improve through the season. Ryan played for Wabash Valley Junior College, where he scored 3.7 points and pulled down 2.5 boards per night as a sophomore.

Freshman swingman Chris Greene is set to give the Cardinals production off the pine. The 6-6 Greene from Newport News, Va., is another good shooter, who understands the game and look to continue to get stronger physically.

One of the best athletes in the MEC, Bowie, Maryland's freshman Brandon Joseph and redshirt freshman Jeremiah Brooks adds two more potential inside WJU players battling for playing time.

With the preseason in its final hours, the stage is set for WJU to begin its next successful MEC campaign and long postseason run.

-GoCards-

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Players Mentioned

#20 Zack Duffy: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#1 Drake Goddard: G; 6' 2"; Junior

#24 Haywood Highsmith: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#2 Pat Moseh: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#25 Kyle Ritz: F; 6' 7"; Senior

Jeremiah Brooks: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

Alex Kassolis: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#4 Preston Boswell: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#21 Zach Collins: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#20 Zack Duffy
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#1 Drake Goddard
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G

#24 Haywood Highsmith
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#2 Pat Moseh
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#25 Kyle Ritz
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

Jeremiah Brooks
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

Alex Kassolis
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#4 Preston Boswell
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#21 Zach Collins
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G