Ridgewater College Winter Preview: Men's Basketball

COACH

Bob Knutson, third year

ASSISTANT COACH

Barry Besonen, Matt Gustafson, Rick Houske

LAST SEASON

Conference: 7-5

Overall: 14-14

OPENERS

Season: Today, home vs. Northland, 6 p.m.

MCCC South Division: Jan. 7 at Riverland, 8 p.m.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

SOPHOMORES

Tom Boike, Willmar, 6-8 post

Derek Eisenschenk, Cold Spring, 6-0 guard

Ben Moser, Paynesville, 6-8 post

Chad Mulder, Renville, 6-4 forward

Cory Nietfeld, Paynesville, 6-4 forward

Ralph Viana, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 6-3 forward

FRESHMEN

Joe Anderson, Dawson-Boyd, 5-10 guard

Tony Anderson, Apple Valley, 5-9 guard

Beau Bredeson, Marshall, 5-9 guard

Anthony Brouilette, St. Michael, 6-1 guard

L.W. Frost, Apple Valley, 6-4 post

Dan Hennen, Minneota, 6-4 forward

Phil Herkenhoff, Melrose, 6-1 guard

Adam Lindlbad, Willmar, 6-0 guard

Shawn Neu, Granite Falls, 6-2, guard

Tyler Ray, Montevideo, 6-2 guard

Casey Sussenguth, Willmar, 6-7 forward

OUTLOOK

Two years ago, the Warriors were 3-20 in coach Bob Knutson's first year at the helm after a long career at New London-Spicer. Last winter saw the Warriors jump to 14-14 and were 1-2 at the state tournament. This year with six returnees back, supplemented by a big crop of first-year players, it looks promising for another leap forward. Cory Nietfeld led the team in scoring and rebounding and made the All-MCCC South Division Team. Ben Moser also started while Ralph Viana Tom Boike, Chad Mulder and Derek Eisenschenk either started or saw plenty of floor time.

Coach Knutson comments: "We have a good nucleus with lots of experience and a good crew of first-year players. Defense is our strength now, but later we should score well. We'll be a running team and there will be turnovers. For the opener, we'll go with Eisenchenck and Bredeson at guard, Viana and Nietfeld at forward and Casey Sussenguth at post; first off the bench will be Boike, Mulder, Moser and Lindblad.