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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.”
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