Men's Basketball

Cardinals Hoping Return of 12 Lettermen, Four Starters Spells Success for 2010-11 Campaign

Beginning the 2010-11 season with the first of two home tournaments, the first time in program history the Cardinals will host two in-season tournaments, Wesleyan hopes to get a pair of wins under its experienced belt before taking on defending NCAA Division III tournament runner-up Williams in the friendly confines of Silloway Gym for its third game of the season.

Wesleyan faces Anna Maria in the opening game of the Inn at Middletown Tip-Off Tournament Fri., Nov 19. Staten Island and Ursinus meet in the other first-round contest.

The Cardinals return 89.5 percent of their scoring and 91.2 percent of their rebounding from the 11-14 squad of 2009-10. Team co-captains Jason Mendell '12 (#34, right side photo) and Greg St. Jean '13 (#10, left side photo) will lead the charges that bring four starters and 12 letterwinners back to the court.

NESCAC Rookie of the Year Shasha Brown '13 (#5, center photo) is the most decorated member of the squad as he averaged a team-leading 17.8 points a year ago and cracked 30 points in a game twice, including a career-high 35 vs. Williams. He also paced the squad in assists with 98 (3.9 per game) and steals with 39 (1.5 per game). Mendell, one of three players along with Brown and the graduated Jeremy Kaminer to start all 25 contests a year ago, averaged 10.5 points while leading the team in rebounds at 5.4 a game. His 38 three-pointers ranked second on the squad. St. Jean started 15 of 25 games a year ago, averaging 6.2 points and 4.7 caroms.

Others returning with starting experience in 2009-10 are Mike Callaghan '13 (9.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG), Derrick Beresford '13 (7.8 PPG, team-high 41 treys, 31 assists, 23 steals) and Dave Maltz '11 (6.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG). Additional lettermen back include Otis Poisson '11, Neal Creeden '11, Matt Hogan '13, Dave Fogel '13 and Matt Callori '13.

Two newcomers who are expected to factor into the Cardinals' fortunes right away in 2010-11 are power forwards Chad LaBove '14, from Shrewsbury, Mass. and Glen Thomas '14, out of Washington, D.C.  Both stand 6-6 and have talent to complement their frames.

Wesleyan will be making a trip to New York City during the Saturday (Nov. 27) of Thanksgiving weekend to take on Baruch and a reception for all area alumni is planned. On Fri., Jan. 28, the Cardinals will visit Bates for the first time in three-year Head Coach Joe Reilly's Wesleyan career. Reilly came to Wesleyan in 2008-09 after directing the Bobcats for 11 years but the Cardinals hosted Bates in both 2008-09 and 2009-10.