Year Two of Jason Roscoe's coaching tenure will present some new challenges, and the program's 11th head coach believes his collection of players is ready to improve upon the standard his team set last season with a 16-14 mark. "On paper our roster is brimming with talent, versatility, and depth. Overall, I'm excited about their potential," voiced Roscoe following a few preseason scrimmages in October. His WolfPack officially open the 2023-24 season Thursday night with a road Region 4 matchup against McHenry County College.

Roscoe plans to implement even more of his up-and-down style in his second season at the helm, and to do that he believes he's increased the collective athletic ability on his 2023-24 roster. It starts with two returning wing players in sophomores Deante Luster and Peter Gustafson. Luster, a first team all-region and second team all-conference selection as a freshman, was second on the team in scoring last winter at 15.6 points per game, while also posting 6.2 rebounds, and a team-best 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals from the Columbia, South Carolina, native. Gustafson, who is from Monticello, Wisconsin. registered 6.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in a reserve role during his debut season.

"Deante is an extremely passionate player who loves to compete. He is a very versatile and gifted scorer, but also a willing passer as he was the leader in assist on last year's team. He's worked extremely hard on his game this summer and I am hoping he can reap the benefits."

"Peter is one of the most athletic and explosive players on our team. He also possesses the ability to score the ball in a variety ways. Peter will have a more prominent role on this year's team. He plays extremely hard and will go through a brick wall for you. I'm excited for Peter and look forward to his contributions this season."

Madison College will have some big holes to fill following the graduation of center Keith Hoffman, who amassed over 1,000 points and nearly 500 rebounds in his two years with the program, and guard/forward Nik Feller, among others. Coach Roscoe believes the collection of scoring talent is there in the big group of newcomers to pick up that slack. That's especially true on the interior, with 6'7" transfer Joe Bocher, and 6'5" forwards Antoine Coleman and Justin Pleasant. Bocher and Coleman were high school teammates at Kewaskum HS, where Coleman broke the school scoring record. Bocher averaged 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds a game two years ago for Kishwaukee College. Pleasant is also a transfer, coming to the Pack from Bryant & Stratton College where he was a member of the 2020-21 team.

On the perimeter, the WolfPack have welcomed guards Romelle Bell, Tyler Mitchell, Mason Kleinsmith, Monte Mayberry, Bryan Gould, and Armon Freeman. Mayberry, a transfer from now-defunct Cardinal Stritch University, and company will be tasked with trying to increase tempo for the Pack.

"With so many new guys, the biggest challenge will be getting them to understand what their role is on this team and starring in their specific role. Additionally, even though we want to go fast, we need them to understand that the season is a marathon and not a sprint. Lastly, staying together and supporting each other when adversity arises."

Additional challenges will come with the move up from NJCAA Division III to Division II in 2023-24, where the Madison College will now be one of 19 teams trying to make an ultra-competitive 16-team Region 4 Tournament that has produced the last two NJCAA Division II National Champions. And both appear on the WolfPack's 2023-24 schedule. Reigning champion Milwaukee Area Technical College opens the season ranked #1 in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll, and are on the schedule for January 9 and February 20. South Suburban College, which won the national title in 2022, opens at #5 in the poll and hosts the Pack on February 13. A December 18 home game brings in #20-ranked Waubonsee Community College. Plus, a pre-Thanksgiving home game November 21 welcomes Rochester Community & Technical College, ranked #3 in the Division III Poll. Joliet Junior College, a February 6 opponent, is receiving votes in that same poll.

Madison College will play a trio of road against Region 4 teams before their home opener at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium on November 16 against in-state foe Western Technical College and is the first of a three-game homestand.

"Our strengths lay in our athleticism, versatility, and quickness. Now we need that to translate into accomplishing our goals of peaking at the right time and understanding the importance of being able to defend at a high level."

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