After last year’s 14-10 campaign was capped with a final four appearance in the NESCAC Playoffs, the Wesleyan men’s basketball team looks to build on last year’s relative success with the help of co-captains Kanem Johnson ’04 and Keala Mills ’04. The inside-outside presence of Johnson down low and Mills from the outside proved to be among the best one-two punches in the conference.
In one of the pre-season games, the team took the court versus several Wesleyan basketball alumni. In a hotly contested game, the alumni came out on top 85-77. Mills put Wesleyan up by 10 points late in the second half, but the team would find little offense after a four-point play by Mills, going on a cold stretch the rest of the way.
Behind a barrage of three pointers, the alumni took advantage of Wesleyan’s inability to cash in on the offensive end. Mills led the team with 24 points and five three-pointers, while Johnson added 18 points.
During the 2002-2003 season, Johnson not only led the league in scoring and earned a First Team All-Conference nod, but was also a selection by d3hoops.com for the Third Team All-America. Johnson, a four-year starter at the forward spot, provides the team with a major scoring threat down low with his post-up ability. Johnson averaged over 20 points and seven rebounds per game last season, and will be asked again to provide much of the scoring load.
“[He has] great post up abilities, midrange jumper and sweet touch,” said Head Coach Gerry McDowell of his star forward. “[And] Keala is one of the best shooters I have ever coached.”
Mills provides the team with a solid option from the outside. Mills’ ability to score off the dribble and threat from beyond the arc gives the team another scoring threat on offense. Last season, Mills averaged 14.5 points per game, while displaying his shooting touch from the outside and drilling 55 three-pointers.
McDowell pointed out the experience of the two co-captains as an added advantage.
“Kanem and Keala are experienced and have been through three seasons together,” McDowell said. “They have an idea of what it takes to win, which they have been bringing to the practice court.”
In addition to Johnson and Mills, the team will count on the contributions of several others as well. Guard Tim Holland ’05 is another threat from the perimeter, which he displayed last season coming off the bench and nailing 24 three-pointers and averaging six points per contest.
Forward David Myrie ’04 is the final returning senior letterman. Myrie established himself on the glass, grabbing just under eight rebounds and chipping in seven points per game last year.
The team will also count on the inside presence of Rob Kelly ’06. Kelly, a 6-foot, 7-inch center, saw limited action last season but will be counted on to play a bigger role on offense and defense. Like Kelly, forward Ryan Ewers ’06 had limited playing time but will have a larger presence this year. Forward Asiedu Stewart ’06 and guard P.J. Loussedes ’06 are the final sophomores on the squad. Moritz Kraus, an exchange student from Germany, will also see time on the court this season due, according to McDowell, to his rebound and defensive ability.
The team also has a large freshman contingency, which includes point guards Jared Ashe ’07 and Ezaakk Diggs ’07. Jim Shepard ’07, a shooting guard, provides the team with another three-point threat.
Blake Curry ’07 and Josh Hartz ’07 will look for time at the forward position. Doug Rubenstein ’07 will also be seeking time on the court as a point guard.
McDowell said that the strength of the Cardinals clearly lies in their solid offense and its ability to score from the inside and outside. He pointed to the statistics to back up his team’s offensive abilities, among them the high field goal and free throw percentage and few turnovers. But McDowell said he hopes that the team can be a better defensive team than last season.
“We’re looking for better defense, and we hope to establish defense as one of our trademarks,” said McDowell.
“Nothing less than the NESCAC championship,” Mills said when asked what he hoped the team would accomplish this season.
With two of the best players in the conference returning with three years of experience and a solid supporting cast, the Cardinals basketball team may have a good shot at attaining its goal.
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