Beavers Reload With New Faces

The Minot State University Men's Basketball program finished 18-12 last season and for the fifth time in a row finished in the top three in the Dakota Athletic Conference. The 2006-07 version of the Beavers will feature a plethora of new faces. The last time MSU was in a perceived rebuilding year (2004-05) the Beavers went on to win the DAC championship and a berth to the NAIA II National Tournament.

Although there are few familiar faces left on the Beaver roster, there are plenty of new ones looking to make an immediate impact. The past two seasons have seen Charles Rourk and Courtney Haley taking care of most of the ball handling duties. Rourk, an all-conference performer, has finished his eligibility and will join the coaching staff. Despite these key losses there is a strong cast of newcomers looking to take over the reigns. At the point guard position transfers Patrick Beck (Odessa JC) and Ricky Martinez (Miracosta CC) will both vie for the starting spot. Both are quick defenders and can do a variety of things on the offensive end. The Beavers get some additional help at Christmas when combo guard Joe Gathings (Harper JC) regains eligibility. Gathings was a NJCAA III Second-Team All-American in 2005. He will help with some of the ball handling duties and bring another solid defender to the perimeter. Red-shirting this year is freshman Braden Bosch (Minot Ryan).

At the off guard position is a familiar face in Jordan Cooper (Westhope). Coop will be one of three seniors on the roster and will bring experience and a deadly shooting touch to the perimeter. Also looking to get on the floor is another senior Terrence Anderson (South Mountain CC). Terrence sat out last year and is a very athletic wing. Stan Schauer ( Fessendon , ND ) is also battling for time at the off guard position. Stan is a very hard worker and also a good shooter. Another red shirt on the roster for next year is freshman Bojan Janjic (Minot Ryan). Transfer Terry Tyson (Lassen CC) will sit out the season as well.

At the forward position Drew Hysjulien ( Grand Forks ) leads the way. He is an experienced senior and will be looked upon for leadership. Drew is also a very good shooter that can mix it up inside and out. Returning home to the Magic City is Matt Witwer. Matt played sparingly last year at the Colorado School of Mines (NCAA II) after tearing his ACL during the off-season. Matt is extremely skilled and can also play inside and out. Cleodis “Red” Hilliard (Malcolm X JC) will be a force as well. Red is very strong and has both the ability to bang inside and take his game out to the perimeter. Andy Leraas ( Hillsboro ) sat out last season as a red-shirt freshman and is looking to see valuable minutes. The former Mr. Basketball finalist is a tremendously hard worker and is another guy that can shoot the three and bang inside. Tim Brandt ( Minot ) will also be competing for playing time. Tim is very talented offensively and has a great understanding of how to play the game.

Inside one newcomer and one somewhat familiar face will battle for minutes. Newcomer Jessie Ford (Independence CC) is an athletic post who is very skilled and will help inside. The somewhat familiar face is Milan Cvetkovic ( Serbia ). Milan red-shirted last year as a sophomore and is a very strong and athletic post. Milan has improved dramatically through hard work the past year and looks to bring that to the floor this season. Another red shirt inside is freshman Mitch Mayer (Minot Ryan).

Ninth year Head Coach Mike Hultz summarized the Beaver's prospects by saying, “We feel we had a good recruiting season. We do return some people that know how we do things and can lead the way. It is going to take us some time before we reach our potential. Our pre-season schedule is as tough as we have ever had namely because we play ten of our fourteen non-conference games on the road. Therefore we will have to be patient with ourselves but in time I feel we will have a good team and hope to be in the mix for a conference championship.”