WIAC RELEASE

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's basketball team, ranked second in the D3hoops.com preseason poll, is picked to win the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season.
 
The Warhawks made an incredible run to the national semifinal last season, winning nine of their last ten games. This season they are preparing for the 2023-24 season-opener against Gustavus Adolphus on Friday, November 10.
 
Head Coach Jarod Wichser indicated his excitement about the season, saying, "It's no secret expectations are high. We had a nice run last year and we bring back a majority of those guys. We are excited with the addition of talented newcomers and the work the team has put in this off season."
 
This season, the Warhawks bring back nearly 98% of their scoring with all five starters returning and three players that averaged more than 10 minutes off the bench last season led by sophomore guard Miles Barnstable (Sheboygan, Wis./Howards Grove). Barnstable earned All-Region Honors last year, as well as WIAC Newcomer of the Year and All-Conference First Team recognition after averaging 16.2 points per game last season. Barnstable has been selected to the Preseason All-American 5^th Team by D3Hoops for the 2023-24 season.
 
Joining Barnstable in the backcourt, are WIAC Honorable Mention honorees Jameer Barker (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) and Delvin Barnstable (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Lutheran). Barker eclipsed the 100 assists mark last season and scored 11.0 points per game. Barnstable put up 11.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He was also one of the Warhawks best defenders, leading the team with 39 steals and second in blocks with 23.
 
In the front court, Trevon Chislom (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) returns after picking up All-Conference and All-District Honors last year. Chislom averaged 15.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. This season, Chislom will have his eye on the record books, averaging 1.49 blocks per game on his career. Only Elbert Gordon (1.78 in 1988-90) averaged more blocks per game in Warhawk history. He will be joined by Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) in the front court. Capstran averaged 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He was a solid defensive option for the Warhawks recording 18 blocks in 2022-23.
 
The Warhawks also add Winona State transfer James Kelley who averaged 7.7 points and 4 rebounds per game in 16 minutes of court time per outing. Kelley had the second-best field goal percentage on the DII squad.
 
Also returning the Warhawks this season are WIAC All-Defensive Team honoree Elijah Lambert (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's), All Sportsmanship Team selection Drew Fisher (Oconomowoc, Wis./Oconomowoc), and JT Hoytink (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Sussex Hamilton). All three averaged more than 10 minutes of action per game in the 2022-23 season.
 
Coach Wichser broke down his philosophy for this year's team noting, "Our philosophy is going to be player driven. It's going to be about our guys first. We want to be in physical man-to-man defense to disrupt teams. On offense, we will build around what our best players do well while putting players in positions to be successful."

A feature story on Coach Wichser and the rest of his coaching staff will be released in the coming week.