(South Bend, IN) After the Titans finished second in the CCAC in 2009 with a 7-3 league mark and a record of 13-18 overall, IU South Bend fans are optimistic for the upcoming season as Denny Parks enters his third season as the Head Coach. 

This season the Titans will feature eight returning players and welcome four newcomers to the team.  Also, some big shoes will need to be filled as the Titans look to replace senior sharp-shooting guard Tyler Leighton.  Leighton earned NAIA Division I second team All-American honors and was named Chicagoland Player of the Year in 2008-09.  He averaged over 21 points a contest and shot over 40% from 3-point territory.  Last year the Titans played a difficult schedule and posted their best finish ever in school history registering seven wins in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

SHOULDERING THE LOAD
The Titans will rely heavily on junior power forward Ben Werner.  Werner has been a first team CCAC selection the past two years and is making quite a name for himself in the conference.  During the 2008-09 campaign, Werner averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds a game and registered nine double-doubles for the Titans.  Going into this season, Werner needs 17 rebounds to eclipse the 500 mark and 83 points to reach the 1,000 point barrier.

Helping Werner in the frontcourt will be junior Dan Kunde.  He earned CCAC Honorable Mention Honors in 2008-09 while averaging 11 points and 5 boards a contest.  The big men should develop throughout the 2009-10 season and should feature the speed and athleticism needed to run the up-tempo Titans offense.

Sophomore forward Shane Salyer enters his second season with the Titans.  Salyer presents a lot of potential and the team looks for him to make an impact this season.  Junior David Clore will be called upon to provide some solid minutes and fill stats in the rebound category this season.

THE BACKCOURT
The key to a successful team is defined by the play of the point guard.  Leading the Titan offense this year will be Mark Comparato.  The sharp-shooting senior averaged over six points a game last year and shot over 41% from beyond the arc. 

Junior Quinn Brooks is a spectacular athlete who provides size and quickness for the Titans.  His quick first step presents a lot of problems for defenders and the ability to knock it down from downtown adds to his arsenal.

When you think of team player, you think of senior Timmy Davis.  Last year, Davis was named to the CCAC All-Academic team for his stellar performance in the classroom.  Davis brings his "A" game each day and leaves it all out on the court.

Junior Dylan Morris will be called upon to quarterback the Titans offense and knock down outside shots and play sound defense.

NEWCOMERS
Returning to the basketball program is sophomore Terry Hill.  He is very athletic around the hoop and has the ability to score.  Hill will play shooting guard and small forward for the Titans and is

expected to contribute major minutes.

Sophomore center Josh Stoops will look to present problems for opponents with match-ups in the middle.  He stands 6'8 and will be a force to be reckoned with down in the paint.  He has the ability to be a solid player and leader this year.

DYNAMIC DUO
Incoming freshmen guards Demon and Ramone Eubanks have made quite an impact this pre-season and continue to gain confidence each and every day on the court.  The twin brothers are expected to get significant playing time at the guard positions.  Both players handle the ball very well and will be able to play "lock down" defense for the Titans.

OVERVIEW
The Titans have the makeup of being a solid basketball team going into the 2009-10 campaign.  A key to this year's team will be the play of the Big Men: Werner, Kunde and Stoops.  Additionally, which player will step up to the challenge and knock down the big shots from beyond the arc?
It is no secret that once again the Titans will play a very difficult schedule.  This year the Titans will take on Division I teams Valparaiso University, Central Michigan University and IUPUI.  Also, the Titans have tough matchups against Bethel College, McKendree University and defending CCAC champions Robert Morris.

Last season, the Titans won 13 games and finished in second place in the Chicagoland Conference.  The Titans will feature a team loaded with some familiar faces this season and fans are excited about the future of the program.
GO TITANS!