COACH
Bob Knutson, 4th season
Asst. coaches
Matt Gustafson, Rick Houske
LAST SEASON
ADVERTISEMENT
MCAC: 8-4, 3rd place South Division
MCAC state tournament: 2-1, consolation champion
Overall record: 18-11
KEY DATES
Opener: today, 8 p.m., home, Central Lakes
South Division opener: Jan. 6, 2010, home, Anoka-Ramsey
MCAC State Tournament: Feb. 26-28 at Minneapolis
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
ADVERTISEMENT
(name, home town/school, height position)
Sophomores
Joe Anderson, Dawson, (Dawson-Boyd), 5-10 guard
Shawn Neu, Granite Falls (YME), 6-2, guard
Casey Sussenguth, Willmar, 6-7 forward
Freshmen
Caleb DuFrane, Appleton (LQPV), 6-5 forward
Leonard Gabbert, Foley, 6-3 forward
ADVERTISEMENT
Andy Kalenberg, Hector (BLH), 6-0 guard
Nathan Nietfeld, Belgrade (Paynesville), 6-3 forward
Cody Rose, Redwood Falls (Redwood Valley), 6-2 guard
Jeff Ruschen, Clara City (CMCS), 6-4 post
Tyler Stein, Sauk Rapids, 5-9 guard
Breck Weber, Pierz, 6-4 forward
Mike Weber, Pierz, 6-4 post
OUTLOOK
ADVERTISEMENT
Casey Sussenguth's 17.5 ppg and 8.8 rpg ranked second highest in both categories in the South last season. Shooting guard Shawn Neu led the division in three-point shooting accuracy at 43.4 percent on 23 of 53 while averaging 6.6 points-per-game. Joe Anderson also returns to fortify the backcourt. Six-foot-four twins Breck and Mike Weber have looked good along the baseline. Andy Kalenberg has impressed coach Bob Knutson at point guard. Caleb DuFrane transferred from Southwest Minnesota State where he played football. Nietfeld (2nd Team) and Kalenberg (3rd Team) were both Tribune All-Area choices last winter. Starters today: Sussenguth, Nietfeld, Mike Weber, Neu and Kalenberg, "We should be good defensively and board well even without a tall post," said Knutson. "The offense will likely need a few games under the belt to gel." Also, three freshmen redshirts will practice with team.
