The Wayne State Men’s Basketball team is tied for No. 10 with 96 points in the NSIC preseason coaches’ poll released Oct. 17, after coming off its first winning season since 2013 with a 21-10 record.

Sophomore center Jordan Janssen was selected as NSIC Wildcat to watch for the season. The Lincoln East graduate had a successful freshman season last year, starting all 31 games and averaging 11.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Janssen had 10 double-doubles and led the NSIC in offensive rebounds per game.

The Wildcats are also bringing back starter Nick Ferrarini, who started all 31 games averaging 9.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Head Coach Jeff Kaminsky said he has seen improvements from Janssen and Ferrarini heading into the new season. He also said it will be important for all of their returning players to establish a culture in order to have a successful season.

“We have a really good team coming back and guys are stepping up and filling roles,” Ferrarini said. “We’re going to be a little younger than last year but still very talented.”

The Wildcats will have brought in two freshman and three transfer players for the 2019-2020 season after graduating top performers: Kendall Jacks, Vance Janssen, and Trevin Joseph.

“It is really impossible to simply replace our three seniors from last year,” Kaminsky said. “We are excited about the development of our returning players and how the addition of our new players will blend together.”

Wayne State decorated its last season with a NSIC South Division first place title. Ferrarini said they are working towards winning it again.

“We want to take it a step further than last year and make the NCAA tournament,” Ferrarini said. “We feel like there is some unfinished business from last year in the post season.”
Kaminsky said that even with goals in sight, it is still important the team focuses on the season game by game.

“Our conference is so competitive that we must play at a high level every night,” Kaminsky said. “We have a chance to be a really good team, which is exciting this time of year, but we have a lot of work to do.”

Wayne State will kick off its season Nov. 1 in Orange, California. The Wildcats will play Ferris State in the CCA Division II Tip Off Classic.

“It’ll be a fun five days and we get to play some really good teams,” Ferrarini said. “A great opportunity to make an early statement.”