The Webster University men's basketball team will begin it's 2008-09 season at 7:30 PM Wednesday night at SIU-Edwardsville.

As the 2008-09 season rolls around, seventh-year coach Chris Bunch is torn between two emotions.  “I am very happy with the direction our program is headed.  Three regular season SLIAC championships in four years is a significant accomplishment,” Bunch states.  “However, we are very disappointed that we have not made the NCAA tournament during that stretch.” 

2007-08 was a record-setting year for the Webster men’s basketball program; the first 20-win season overall and the first undefeated regular season (16-0) in conference play.  The Gorloks also set a school record with a 15-game winning streak to end the regular season.  “That is all behind us now,” Bunch says.  “This is a different year and we are a different team.”  Gone are Darin Hoggatt, the school’s second all-time leading scorer and three-time All-SLIAC performer, Brad Robinson, a first-team All-SLIAC selection last season, and Corey Kuhn, three players who made up the most successful four-year run in school history.  But don’t feel sorry for the Gorloks, Bunch says.  “We have a great nucleus of players returning, plus some newcomers that we feel will help us continue to be successful.”

The leading returner is senior Ryan Turk, a first-team All-SLIAC selection last year.  “Ryan really matured last year, and we expect even better things from him this season,” Bunch says.  Also returning for their senior campaigns are starters Luke Niebrugge and Steve Hrdlicka, and junior starter Josue Whitcomb is back as well.  Seniors Doug Stiegemeier, Tyler Tiemann, and Eric Paradoski all saw extensive playing time last season, as did sophomores Matt Trippett and Robby Meeh, and along with junior college transfer Reggie Smith and sophomore Scott Restoff the perimeter should definitely be a strength for Webster. 

The losses of Hoggatt and Robinson are a concern, but not as much as one might think.  Returning are senior Ryan Jungk and junior John Ortwerth, both of which saw playing time last season.  Sophomore Nick Jones is poised to make a big impact this year, as are junior college transfer Jon Gillett and freshman newcomers Kevin Miller and Richard Ogunsalu. “I believe that these players will play at the high level that our fans are accustomed to seeing out of post players at Webster,” says Bunch. 

The Gorloks once again have a very strong non-conference schedule, with defending national champ Washington University and CCIW pre-season favorite Wheaton College as the two biggest obstacles.  The Gorloks also have an exhibition game November 5 at SIU-Edwardsville, who just made the jump to NCAA Division I this year.  “I’ve always felt that playing a tough schedule early gets a team ready for the conference battles,” Bunch says.

Webster University opens the regular season at home against Nebraska Wesleyan University on November 21 at 7:30 PM.  The Gorloks host University of the Ozarks the following day at 3 PM.