The 2008-09 Warren Wilson men's basketball team, under the direction of first-year head coach Kevin Walden, looks to improve on last year's 5-15 record.  The Owls have already seen much improvement from a year ago as they have doubled the size of their roster (14) and have completed a preseason strength and conditioning program for the first time.   

"Our guys have really done a great job preparing for a long college basketball season," said Walden.  "Day in and day out they have come to the gym ready to work hard and improve themselves."

The 2008-09 edition of Fighting Owls basketball will see the return of five lettermen and four starters from last season led by senior twin forwards John and Chris Nelson (Austin, TX).  Both Nelson's saw significant playing time last season at the forward spots and have shown great improvement in preseason practice.  

"John and Chris have done an outstanding job of leading this year's team both on and off the floor," said Walden.  "They have been constants in our program over the last three years and they have set the tone with the rest of our team."

Also returning is sophomore guard Aleksandar Spasovski (Skopje, Macedonia), who averaged nearly 18 points a game a year ago, and junior guard Antonio Wilburn (Charlotte, NC).  Wilburn will likely take over the point position this year with Spasovski running the shooting guard slot.  These two will be joined by versatile guard/forward Luke Bruin (Chapel Hill, NC) as second year players in the program.

The guard position will also include impact players in 2006-07 letterman Jamie Hart (Middlebury, VT), senior transfer Jermon Marsh (Savannah, GA/Bemidji State University), and freshman point guard Matt Kantor (Wylie, TX).  Marsh played the last two years at Bemidji State where he was a reserve guard for the Beavers playing in 37 games the last two seasons.  He began his career at Toccoa Falls College where he averaged 18 points a game.  Also vying for playing time will be sophomore Kalrav Acharya (Auroville, India) and junior Chris Lininger (Alta Loma, CA).

"Our guard position is the strength of our team," said Walden.  "We've got to find ways to utilize our quickness and good shooting touch from the perimeter."

Joining returners John and Chris Nelson and Luke Bruin in the post will be freshman newcomers Wes Molner (Grand Rapids, MI), Callis Chambliss (Lexington, KY), Patrick Rulong (Bethel Park, PA), and James Gaza (Naperville, IL).

"I can't be more pleased with the efforts of our guys," said Walden.  "They've made a huge commitment to the success of Warren Wilson College basketball and I can't be more appreciative."

The schedule for the Owls is tough as usual.  They play four games against NCAA Division II opponents in Brevard College (2) and North Greenville University (2) and three games versus NAIA Division I opponents Lindsey Wilson College and Life University (2).  The Owls open up at the Trinity Baptist College Tournament on October 23-24 and play their first home game on November 7 versus Atlanta Christian College at 7:00 pm.   

Coach Walden is also pleased with the hard work and efforts of assistant coaches Brian Rannie and Jay Lively.  Rannie is new to the area and the program having coached the previous five years as an assistant coach at the high school level in the state of Washington.  He helped his high school team to five straight state playoff appearances and will help the Owls in game and practice planning.  While Coach Rannie is new, Lively is no stranger to the Owls program having previously participated as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.  Coach Lively will serve as the lead recruiter for the Owls.