Western Illinois Basketball Roster: Meet the Team

Get to know the 2019-2020 WIU Leathernecks men’s basketball team with this year’s roster.

Introducing the team

The Western Illinois basketball team is composed of student athletes who are committed to excellence on the court and in the classroom. The team is composed of 12 members, each of whom bring a unique set of skills and talents to the court. The team is coached by Head Coach Tom Crean and Assistant Coach Steve Wojciechowski.

The starting lineup

The Western Illinois Leathernecks men’s Basketball team represents Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. The team is a member of the Summit League which is part of the NCAA’s Division I. The Leathernecks play their home games at the Western Hall and are coached by Rob Jeter.

The starting lineup for the 2017-2018 season includes senior guard Kobe Webster, junior forward Brandon Gilbeck, sophomore center Zion Williamson freshman forward Jawaun Newton, and freshman guard Michael Efevberha.

The bench

The bench is where the game is really won or lost. It’s the players who come in when the starters are tired and make the key plays to help their team win. Here’s a look at the bench players for the Western Illinois basketball team.

Jared Armstrong – A 6’7” forward, Armstrong is a true freshman from Galesburg, Illinois. He was a three-sport athlete in High School and was named to the First Team All-State in basketball as a senior. He chose Western Illinois because of the Coaching Staff and the chance to play immediately.

Armstrong will be counted on to provide some scoring punch off the bench. He is a good shooter with range out to three-point land. He will also be called upon to play some defense and rebound the ball.

Drew Gibson – A 6’1” guard, Gibson is a redshirt sophomore from Springfield, Illinois. He played in 19 games as a freshman, averaging 1.4 points per game He missed all of last season with an injury but has recovered and is ready to play this year.

Gibson is a good outside shooter and will be counted on to provide some scoring threat from beyond the arc coming off the bench. He is also a good defender and will see time at both guard positions.

The coaching staff

The coaching staff for the Western Illinois basketball team is:

· head coach Rob Jeter
· assistant coach T.J. Cleveland
· assistant coach Brad Korn
· Video Coordinator: Bret Bearup

The team’s strengths

This year’s Western Illinois men’s Basketball team is looking to rebound after a disappointing season last year. They have brought in some new talent and are looking to make a run at the conference title Here is a look at the team’s strengths:

The backcourt is led by seniors Eric Peterson and Jordan Foster. Peterson is a steady ball-handler who can also score when needed, while Foster is an explosive scorer who can fill it up from anywhere on the court. They will be joined by junior college transfer Keyshawn Evans, who is expected to make an immediate impact.

The frontcourt features a nice mix of experience and youth. Senior big man Zach Johnson gives the team a reliable post presence, while newcomers Taj Gibson and Tyreeq Baktion add some athleticism and scoring ability.

The team’s weaknesses

The team’s weaknesses re shooting and free-throw percentage They also lack size, which could be an issue against some of the bigger teams in their conference.

The team’s style of play

Western Illinois Head basketball coach Rob Jeter and his staff have built a team that is tough, hard-nosed and, most importantly, fun to watch. The Leathernecks play an up-tempo, high-pressure style of basketball that has been successful both in the win column and in fan support.

This year’s team is led by seniors Tamecka Dixon (15.5 ppg) and Olivia Nash (13.0 ppg). Dixon, the team’s leading scorer, is a versatile guard who is equally comfortable shooting from long range or driving to the basket. Nash is a physical post player who uses her size and strength to dominate on the boards.

The Leathernecks also feature two talented juniors in Katie BIrch (11.5 ppg) and Emily Clemens (10.5 ppg). Birch is a sharpshooter who teams up with Dixon to form a dangerous outside scoring threat. Clemens is a tough point guard who uses her quickness to create turnovers on defense and easy scoring opportunities on offense.

Rounding out the starting lineup are sophomores Taylor Higginbotham (9.0 ppg) and Michelle Farrow (8.0 ppg). Higginbotham is a physical presence in the paint who provides a reliable scoring option inside the paint. Farrow is one of the team’s best perimeter defenders and also contributes offensively with her Three-point shooting ability.

This group of seniors, juniors and sophomores form a talented and well-rounded team that should be exciting to watch this season!

The team’s key players

A look at the Key Players on Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team

Western Illinois enters the 2019-20 season with a new Head Coach Brad Underwood. Underwood, who led Stephen F. Austin to three straight NCAA tournament appearances, will look to turn around a Western Illinois program that has struggled in recent years

The team will be led by senior forward Dalan Ancrum and junior guard Kobe Webster. Ancrum, who was named the Summit League’s preseason player of the year, averaged 16.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season. Webster, who averaged 11.9 points per game last season, is one of the best three-point shooters in the country.

Other players to watch include sophomores Zion Turner-Smith and Tyler Cochran and Junior College transfer Jawad Adekoya.

The team’s upcoming opponents

The Leathernecks are set to take on some tough competition this season. Their upcoming opponents include:

--Indiana State University
--Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
--Missouri State University
-University of Northern Iowa

Each of these teams will present a challenge for the Leathernecks, but they are up for the task. With a strong roster and a lot of heart, the team is ready to take on anything that comes their way.

The team’s chances of success

The Western Illinois basketball team is a group of skilled athletes who are looking to have a successful season The team is led by Head coach Jerry Kill, who has been with the program since 2013. The team’s leading scorer is Senior guard Kobe Webster, who averaged 19.2 points per game last season. Other key members of the team include Senior forward Zion gibson, who averaged 11.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season, and Junior guard Drew Lewandowski, who averaged 10.4 points per game last season. The team also has a strong bench, which will be crucial to their success this season. With a mix of experienced veterans and talented young players the Western Illinois basketball team is poised for a Successful Season