The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s basketball team started its 2022-23 season with three wins before being handed its first loss – Saturday to Rochester University (3-1) by a score of 83-76 – and look to do damage all season long in pursuit of a Crossroads League championship.
The Cougars finished the 2021-22 season with an overall record of 20-11, going 11-7 in the Crossroads League. Despite losing to Grace College in the Crossroads League quarterfinals, oach Jared Ronai and his team qualified for the NAIA national tournament, where they fell to No.16 Carroll College in the opening round.
This year, Ronai’s men have high expectations for their season. MVNU’s schedule is loaded with quality opponents that’ll prepare the team for postseason play. The Cougars’ nonconference schedule contains games against (RV) Olivet Nazarene University (Nov. 11) and (RV) Indiana University Kokomo (Dec. 29).
The Crossroads League, one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA, saw six of its teams qualify for the national tournament in 2021-22. Conference play begins on Nov. 15 at No.5 Indiana Wesleyan University.
Eddie Driskell, Tyler Kegley and Trace Ramsey graduated, but Ronai has brought in three freshmen talents that will help bolster his roster. Freshman guard TC Molk will join up with his former Dover High School teammate, Kade Ruegsegger, in Mount Vernon. In addition, 6’8” forward Hallvard Staff and 6’7” guard Filip Overli will also be on the court this season for MVNU. The Baerum brothers (not biological, but both hailing from the Norwegian municipality of Baerum) will provide plenty of height and athleticism to the Cougars’ lineup this season.
Senior Kyle Kegley will look to build off of a great 2021-22 season (15.7 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game, 43 blocks, 44 steals). He was an All-Crossroads League First Team selection last year. Ruegsegger (14.5 ppg, 44.3 FG%, 38.9 3pt. FG%) returns as an important piece for the Cougars this season. Ruegsegger was an All-Crossroads League Second Team selection for the 2021-22 season.
After an All-Crossroads League Freshman Team nod, Carter Jones returns for his sophomore year. Jones averaged eight points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He shot 50% from the field and 39% from three.
The Cougars hope to surpass their 2021-22 accomplishments with a successful new campaign. MVNU returned home to take on (RV) Olivet Nazarene University at Ariel Arena on Friday, Nov. 11, as part of MVNU’s Homecoming festivities. Results were unavailable at press time.
