By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Drew Thelwell laughed when he saw the four media members waiting to talk to him in the Vibrant Arena hallway. “This is a first,” he said. There is a lot that’s new for the fifth-year point guard … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Experience Has Made A Difference For Iowa’s Thelwell
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Sometimes there are games a team can’t afford to lose, even in November. Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team had one of those on Saturday. The Leathernecks didn’t lose. Western Illinois rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final six minutes to defeat Central Arkansas 63-61 at Western Hall. Ryan Myers’ two free throws in the closing 1.3 seconds provided the final margin, completing a victory the Leathernecks needed after Wednesday’s 87-73 home loss to Green Bay. “We had to stay together,” said center Tay Knox, whose blocked shot was the final big defensive play … Continue reading Leathernecks Bounce Back, Rally For Home Win
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — It was a comment that Western Illinois women’s basketball coach JD Gravina made slightly in jest. But it started the planning for something that is somewhat unusual in college basketball — a power conference … Continue reading Leathernecks Prepare For Home Game Against Missouri
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Sean Smith and Ryan Myers knew exactly what their coach was going to say. Long before Western Illinois coach Chad Boudreau took the blame for Wednesday’s 87-73 loss to Green Bay in the home opener at Western Hall, Smith and Myers came into the Hall of Fame Room and took the heat off their coach. “The coaches gave us the blueprint to win this game,” Myers said. “It’s on us. Coach is going to take accountability for everything. But it’s on us. He gave us the blueprint to win this game.” “It’s on us,” … Continue reading WIU ‘Punched In The Mouth’ In Loss To Green Bay
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP The tone in Raegan McCowan’s voice concerned Western Illinois women’s basketball coach JD Gravina. McCowan’s first season had her posting numbers that were among the best in NCAA Division I. She was the Ohio Valley Conference’s freshman … Continue reading McCowan Comes Back To WIU To Be With ‘Family’
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team won 21 games and reached the Ohio Valley Conference tournament semifinals last season. But even with just three players returning from that team, the Leathernecks are still considered a title contender in … Continue reading WIU Men Picked No. 2, Women Are No. 6, In OVC Preseason Poll
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Return games against Green Bay and Central Arkansas lead Western Illinois’ nonconference men’s basketball schedule for this season. The Leathernecks play 11 nonconference games, opening the season with two road games in California. Western Illinois plays San Jose State (9-23, 244 NET) on November 4 and Pepperdine (13-20, 222 BET) on November 6. Western Illinois then comes home for two games. The Leathernecks play host to Green Bay (18-14, 223 NET) and new coach Doug Gottlieb on November 13, followed by a November 16 game against Central Arkansas (9-23, 344 NET) on November 16. The two games … Continue reading Leathernecks Play 11-Game Nonconference Schedule
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois gets a home nonconference game against a Power 4 team as part of this season’s women’s basketball schedule. The entire schedule was announced Thursday. The Ohio Valley Conference portion of the schedule was announced in … Continue reading Home Game With Missouri Highlights WIU Women’s Schedule
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois’ men’s and women’s basketball teams will get two more Ohio Valley Conference games in their second season in the league. The 11-team OVC will have a true round-robin schedule this season, meaning 20 games within … Continue reading OVC Releases Expanded Conference Schedule
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Mallory McDermott needed to get a passport. “Never been out of the country,” the Western Illinois fifth-year senior guard said. Raegan McCowan had to do the same. “We’ve got (the passports) already,” the sophomore … Continue reading Leathernecks Get A Chance To Bond With Costa Rica Trip
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