WQIO Ohio's Super Station
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s basketball team is set to begin their 2022-23 campaign on Friday, October 28 as it hosts Ohio Christian University at Ariel Arena at 7:00pm.
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, head coach 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 it for postseason play. The Cougars’ non-conference 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 November 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. 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 2021-2022 season (15.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 43 blocks, 44 steals). He was an All-Crossroads League First Team selection last year. Ruegsegger (14.5 PPG, 44.3 FG%, 38.9 3FG%) returns as 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 will hope to surpass their 2021-22 accomplishments with a very successful new campaign. MVNU will try to get the season off to a good start with their season opener against Ohio Christian on October 28.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.
