MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

Most programs would be happy with a 20 win season and an appearance in their conference's championship game, but that is not the case for the Minot State University Men's Basketball program. With several players returning from a team that fell a game short of returning to the NAIA II National Tournament the Beavers are hungry to get back to Branson, MO.

“We weren't consistent enough a year ago. We don't necessarily have to make great improvements, but we do have to be better in a few key areas” said head coach Mike Hultz.

The first step will be replacing the scoring punch of Aaron Patterson and C.J. DeWitty. The duo combined for 34 points per game a year ago. “I honestly don't know where those 34 points are going to come from. I do believe we have several guys that can do more and really what we are looking at is being more efficient and getting it done as a team.”

Leading the way will be third-team all-conference selection Mister Carney. Carney averaged just over 10 points per game a year ago and had some big games late in the season. He was also named the DAC's Defensive Player of the Year. Carney will see time at the point and the off-guard positions. Joining Carney at the point will be University of Mary transfer Jason West. West is a true point guard and should do well in MSU's up tempo style of play.

The Beavers shot only 30 percent from three-point land a year ago. Brothers Nathaniel and Neil Packineau should make the Beavers more of a threat from behind the arc. The twins are best known for leading Parshall High School to the 2007 Class ‘B' State Championship and transfer to MSU from Williston State College. Also bolstering the Beaver's attack will be North Dakota's 2009 Mr. Basketball Cam Malzer. Malzer comes from Turtle Lake High School and could also see time at the point guard position. Joining the local trio at the wing positions will be juniors Bojan Janjic and Chaffey College transfer Nick Turner. Janjic has grown into a good defender and the Beavers are looking for a breakout year from him on the offensive end of the floor. Turner will add scoring punch from the perimeter and should also be a good defender in MSU's pressing defense. Adding depth will be sharpshooter Matt Mueller.

Up front the Beavers have great athleticism. California products Demetrius Malone and Marcus Balinton are great athletes that can defend multiple positions and also play on the wing. Red-shirt freshman Gary Heitkamp will provide a shooting threat off the bench. Inside Kenneth McCoy is a relentless offensive rebounder who will see time at both the five and perimeter positions. Shaun Johnson is a long athlete that had some bright moments a year ago and the Beavers expect him to be more consistent his second year in the program. Mitch Mayer is a space eater and the Beavers' only true back-to-basket player.

Redshirting this season are freshmen Andrew Crosby of Minot High, Jordan Maurer of Mandan High and Arrion Hinton out of Chicago.

In summarizing the prospects for the upcoming season Hultz had these comments: “We may be even more athletic than we were a year ago and we are at least two-deep at every position. There are few positions where it would be nice to be bigger and stronger but we hope to make up for that with our defensive pressure. We led the nation a year ago by forcing 25 turnovers per game and I think we have a chance to be better but we have to be more solid at times. Offensively we want to get out and run but we have to be more efficient than our 42 percent field goal percentage from a year ago. I think we will by playing better together. How much better will probably dictate our success in the end.”

Hultz believes the conference will be very strong from top to bottom. “Black Hills is clearly the favorite going in. They return five guys that started as sophomores and went on the national semifinals. From there it is probably a toss-up. Hopefully we can be in the mix. We had very good games with Black Hills a year ago and anything can happen at tournament time. It should be another exciting year in the Dakota Athletic Conference.”