BEAVERS LOOK TO REBOUND IN 2007-08

With several returning players and a couple of key transfers, the Minot State University Men's Basketball program looks to get back to the top of the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) in 2007-08. The Beavers finished 7-7 in the DAC last season, snapping a five-year run of top-three finishes in league play. Head Coach Mike Hultz enters his tenth year at the helm of the MSU program and is optimistic about the season ahead.

“We had several new faces last year. We tried some new things offensively and then at Christmas had to make some changes,” said Hultz. “Then we lost a key player while gaining another one. It seemed like we just never got on the same page. As a staff, we have a better handle of what we have this year and what we can do.”

The Beavers lose All-Conference performer Jordan Cooper (Westhope) and shooting specialist Drew Hysjulien ( Grand Forks ) but replace them with two transfers, C.J. DeWitty ( Temple CC ) and Aaron Patterson (Cabrillo CC). Both come from junior college programs that were co-champions of their respective leagues a year ago. DeWitty, a 6-0 combo guard played two seasons at perennial power Temple, while Patterson led Cabrillo to the school's first-ever conference title. Patterson was named MVP of the Coast Conference South and First-Team All-State.

Hultz said DeWitty can play both guard spots, is a good shooter and is a great on-ball defender, and Patterson could be a go-to guy in that he can score in a variety of ways.

“A focal of our recruiting was to recruit guys that win. These two have done that,” said Hultz of the transfers. “I think the big thing these two allow us to do is get back to putting pressure defensively on the perimeter.”

While Hultz is excited about his new transfers, he feels returners are the key to the team.

“We told the guys last spring that the biggest improvement will not come from recruiting but from what each of them does over the summer to get better,” said the coach. “We have talented people but the onus is on them to play better and produce.”

Leading the way at the point guard spot will be Ricky Martinez (Miracosta CC). Martinez had nearly a two-to-one assist ratio last year and is a solid shooter and defender. While DeWitty will share some of the point guard duties, Joe Gathings (Harper JC) can also contribute at the position. Gathings regained eligibility at the Christmas break last year and was the Beavers leading scorer at 12.2 points per game. Red-shirt freshman Braden Bosch (Minot Ryan) will also look to get in the mix.

“I like our talent here but the biggest thing that we have to get from this group is some vocal leadership. Somebody has to grab the bull by the horns and run our team,” said Hultz.

While Hultz expects that DeWitty, Gathings and Patterson will hold the lion's share of work at the wings, returners Stan Schauer (Fessenden) and red-shirt freshman Bojan Janjic (Minot Ryan) will also vie for minutes. Schauer was on the brink of getting in the regular rotation a year ago and did appear in a few contests, and Janjic is a talented athlete with deep range.

“Stan has worked hard the last two years and hopefully things will out for him,” said Hultz. “Bojan has loads of potential but needs experience to figure some things out.”

The forward position will be anchored by Matt Witwer ( Minot ) and Andy Leraas ( Hillsboro ). Just as Witwer entered the starting line-up at mid-season, he sprained his ankle and was sidelined for three weeks. Leraas had some bright moments but also struggled at times.

When asked about the two forwards Hultz replied, “Both of these guys are extremely hard workers. Wit had a great summer and is playing great right now. He just needs to stay healthy for a full season. Andy went through some of the things you typically see from freshman. Hopefully he can grow from those experiences and be more consistent this season.”

The Beavers return Milan Cvetkovic ( Serbia ) and Jessie Ford (Independence CC) to play inside. Last season Cvetkovic showed moments of dominance but only averaged 13 minutes per game, largely due to foul trouble. When in the game Cvetkovic led the DAC in field-goal percentage at nearly 60 percent. Ford is a gifted athlete that registered double-doubles in two games last season. Freshman red-shirt Mitch Mayer (Minot Ryan) will also look to get in the fray.

Hultz had this to say about his inside players, “ Milan can be great, but he can only do it by being better defensively and staying out of foul trouble. I need to do a better job of defining Jessie's role. He's a gifted man that needs to exert his physical abilities on the game on a more consistent basis. Mitch is smart and tough. He understands what he can and cannot do. I think he can be solid for us.”

“I like our team. Our guys really like each other and get along well. Our talent base is good,” said Hultz in summarizing the Beavers' prospects. “Hopefully we can bring greater pressure defensively and be more dominant on the glass. Offensively we have a lot of people that can score, but we have play better together. Shot selection will be huge for us. We have to trust one another. If we can do that, we have the potential to be very good. We certainly aren't interested in finishing fifth again.”