DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The reigning Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season champion St. Scholastica men's basketball team opens its season this weekend at the Carroll University (Wis.) Pioneer Tip-Off.
Where:
Van Male Fieldhouse – Waukesha, Wis.
When:
Friday vs. Blackburn (Ill.) – 5 p.m.
Saturday vs. Principia (Ill.) – 1 p.m.
Live Video/Stats: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/carroll/#
Social Media:
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/CSSsaints
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/csssaints
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/css.saints
St. Scholastica Saints
Roster | 2015-16 Stats
2015-16 Record: 19-8, 13-3 UMAC
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference: Standings | Stats
Key Returners:
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Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) –
Guard – 2015-16 UMAC Freshman of the Year … Fifth in the conference with 83 made free throws … Second on the team in scoring (11.8 ppg.), rebounds (120), steals (39), blocks (8), and minutes played (704).
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Julius Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) –
Guard – Second Team All-UMAC choice last season … Named to UMAC All-Defensive Team in 2015-16 … Second in the conference in free throw percentage (.877) … Third overall in assists (104) and fifth overall in steals (41).
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Kory Deadrick (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) –
Forward – Played only the second semester last season after transferring from St. Thomas … Third on the team in blocked shots (7).
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Joe Stark (Hayward, Wis./Hayward HS) –
Guard – Led the team in 3-pointers made (38) … Second on the team in free throws made (70) … Scored 10 or more points in 11 games
Key Losses:
-
Andrew Laughlin (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Central HS) –
Forward – A two-time Second Team All-UMAC selection … Led the team in scoring with 12.4 points per game last season … His .578 field goal percentage overall ranks as the third-best in program history.
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Jake Naslund (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) –
Guard – A two-time honorable mention All-UMAC choice … Led the Saints in scoring in six games last season … Finished his career averaging double-figures in scoring in each of the last three seasons.
Coach Staniger: Head Coach
David Staniger begins his 17
th season leading the St. Scholastica men's basketball team … He is the winningest coach in program history with 200 victories … He won his first outright UMAC regular season title and was named UMAC Coach of the Year for the first time last season.
Two Openers in a Row: The Saints defeated Luther College (Iowa) 74-70 to open their 2015-16 season … It was the first season-opening victory since the 2008-09 season … St. Scholastica is 3-2 since the 2000-01 season in season openers that take place in Wisconsin.
More Help from Football/Esko: Sophomore wide receiver
Aaron Olson (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) is also playing basketball this season … He joins fellow footballer
Zach Dahlman (Braham, Minn./Braham HS) on the squad this season and Olson reunites with former Esko High School teammates
Marc Peterson (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) and
Kory Deadrick (Esko, Minn./Esko HS).
Home Sweet Home: The Saints won their first 12 home games last year, which set a new program record for home victories in a single season.
Get to the Line: The Saints made over 400 free throws last season, which had not been done since the 2000-01 season.
Winning the Close Ones: The Saints were 8-2 last season in games decided by eight points or less … That does not include the overtime victory over the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Need Balance: The Saints were 18-3 last season when at least three players scored in double figures … They were 7-0 when five players scored at least 10 points.
Top 5 Games to Watch
11/22 – at St. Thomas
The Tommies won the NCAA Division III title last season and are ranked 10
th in D3hoops.com preseason poll.
12/3 – at Northwestern
The Saints face UMAC Tournament champion Northwestern on the opening weekend of conference play.
1/7 – vs. UW-Superior
First UMAC meeting between the Bridge Rivals. CSS def. UWS in OT the last time the teams met at the Reif.
1/14 – vs. Minnesota Morris
The Saints defeated the Cougars in the UMAC Tournament semifinals last season.
1/21 – vs. North Central
Alumni Day for the Saints.
UMAC Preseason Poll
1. Northwestern - 62 points (7 First Place Votes)
2. St. Scholastica - 58 (2)
3. Minnesota Morris - 46
4. North Central - 42
5. Bethany Lutheran - 32
6. Northland - 31
7. Crown - 25
8. UW-Superior - 19
9. Martin Luther - 9
Upcoming Opponents
Blackburn Beavers
2015-16 Record: 10-15, 9-9 SLIAC
The Beavers are picked to finish seventh in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) … Blackburn ls led by second year head coach Steve Kollar, who brings back 10 players, including four starters from last year's squad … The group of experienced players is led by Second Team All-Conference guard Chris Davis, who averaged 16.0 points per game last year while shooting 45-percent from 3-point range … Guard Jake Maestranzi also returns after leading the conference in three-point percentage (.528) … The Beavers finished 13th in NCAA Division III in 3-point percentage (.393) last season.
Principia Panthers
2015-16 Record: 5-18, 2-16 SLIAC
The Panthers are predicted to finish ninth in the 10-team SLIAC this season … After opening with three straight victories last season, Principia lost 18 straight games before winning its final two games … The Panthers will be led by new head coach Todd Zimmerman, who brings back all five starters from last year's team … Junior Division II transfer Adaku Anumu led the conference in scoring in his first season with the Panthers, averaging 25.4 points per game … Also back is Justin Ball, who averaged 12.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season.
Series Records:
-First-ever meeting vs. Blackburn
-First-ever meeting vs. Principia
Looking Ahead: The Saints take on defending NCAA Division III National Champion University of St. Thomas next Tuesday in St. Paul.
