Anoka-Ramsey & Central Lakes Take Top Spots in MCAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
In MCAC Pre-season Coaches Polls and in Player-of-the-Week voting, coaches do not list their own team and cannot vote for their own nominees.
2016-17 Records | MCAC | Overall | 2017-18 Northern Division Poll | Community |
Anoka-Ramsey (South) % | 12-2 | 28-5 | 1. Central Lakes College | Brainerd |
Rochester CTC (South) * | 8-6 | 17-12 | 2. Vermilion Community College | Ely |
Central Lakes College (North) ` | 11-3 | 21-8 | 3. Rainy River Community College | International Falls |
Vermilion CC (North)` | 10-4 | 18-12 | 4. Northland CTC | Thief River Falls |
St. Cloud Technical & CC (South)` | 10-4 | 20-7 | 5. Itasca Community College | Grand Rapids |
Rainy River CC (North)` | 9-5 | 20-8 | 6. Mesabi Range College | Virginia |
Riverland CC (South) ` | 11-3 | 22-8 | 7. Hibbing Community College | Hibbing |
% State Champ * Runner Up | 8. Fond du Lac Tribal CC | Cloquet | ||
Ridgewater College (South) | 8-6 | 17-8 | 2017-18 Southern Division Poll | Community |
Fond du Lac Tribal & CC (North) | 7-7 | 11-13 | 1. Anoka-Ramsey Community College | Coon Rapids |
Minnesota West CTC (South) | 5-9 | 8-18 | 2. Rochester CTC (rv) | Rochester |
Mesabi Range College (North) | 5-9 | 11-14 | t3. Riverland Community College | Austin |
Western Technical (South) | 1-13 | 5-20 | t3. SCTCC | St. Cloud |
Itasca CC (North) | 2-12 | 7-20 | 5. Ridgewater College | Willmar |
M State (South) | 1-13 | 5-22 | 6. M State | Fergus Falls |
Hibbing CC (North) | 1-13 | 5-22 | 7. Western Technical College | La Crosse WI |
Northland CTC (North) ' | - | - | 8. Minnesota West CTC | Worthington |
The regular season championships in the Southern and Northern Division will be tabulated by the 14-game MCAC Divisional schedule. Each team will play teams in their division twice, in home-and-away format. MCAC teams will also compete in Inter-Divisional games against selected opponents during the month of December- these contests count only towards overall season marks. In late February, MCAC Northern and Southern Division Champions will be awarded. The top four finishing teams from each Division will then meet for the MCAC /NJCAA Region XIII State Tournament at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. The 8-team Minnesota College Athletic Conference/Twin Cities Gateway Men's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinal, Semifinals and Championships are set to take place Friday-Sunday, March 2, 3 & 4 at the ARCC Athletic Complex in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. New for 2017-18, there will be no consolation bracket in the State Tournament, with the exception of a third-place contest. With Lake Superior College entering league play in 2018-19, expect to see a new format for Divisional and Conference games in upcoming years.
The 2017-18 NJCAA Division III men's basketball season gets underway in early November, with MCAC Inter-Divisional contests scheduled for December and Divisional play commencing in January.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, Minnesota
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Last Year | Head Coach: | Assistant Coaches/Staff | Team Website: | ||
28-5 Overall, 12-2 MCAC South Champion MCAC State Champions NJCAA National Tournament |
Ron Larson 10 years; 163-107 |
Rory Larson, Brady Larson |
http://www.arccgoldenrams.com/sports/mbkb/index | ||
Team Preview | |||||
The Golden Rams had the best overall season of any MCAC team in 2016-17, winning the MCAC Southern Division, the MCAC State Tournament and earning a bid to the 2017-18 NJCAA Division III National Championships. Anoka-Ramsey went 1-2 on the NJCAA national stage, losing to Herkimer in the 3rd place game to conclude the season. Key Returners: Kevin Schramm, Forward, Roseville, MN; Chris Morgan, Forward, Davenport, IA; Ramose Riddley, Forward, Minneapolis, MN; Jefferson Belmont, Guard, Naples, FL New Faces: Jarrett Baptiste, Guard; James Lloyd, Guard; Malik El-Amin, Guard; Jackson Sutton, Forward
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Notable about the Golden Rams: Head coach Ron Larson is assisted by two of his sons, Rory and Brady. | |||||
Moving on: Mamadou Ngom (Univ. Minnesota-Duluth) and Edvonte Copeland, University of St. Mary, Kansas | |||||
First game: | |||||
Saturday, Nov. 4th at Lake Region State College, North Dakota |
Central Lakes College Brainerd, Minnesota
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches/Staff | Team Website: | |
21- 8, 11-3 North, 3rd Place State Tournament | Jim Russell 19 yrs.; 402-159 | Brian Voight | http://www.clcraiders.com/sports/mbkb/index | |
Team Preview | ||||
New Faces: AJ-Jureau Ray, Guard, Minneapolis MN; Noah Champion, Forward, Maple Grove MN; Various Wilson, Forward, Indianapolis IN Moving On: Nick Wiesmann - Mayville State ND; Lamontrell Fuller - Mayvillie State ND; Darsean Woodson-Mayvillie State ND; Trey Heinsius - MN Morris; Deshawn Patterson - Tabor College KS; Radamus Jones - Tabor College KS; Darrelle Bacon - Concordia University CAN; Ronald Bacon - Concordia University CAN; Trayvon Lackey - Concordia University CAN; N'Gai Dixon - Kansas Weslyan KS; |
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Notable about the Raiders: | ||||
Coach Russell won his 400th game in the MCAC State Tournament in 2016. | ||||
First game: | ||||
Leech Lake Tribal College, Saturday, Nov. 11th |
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Cloquet, Mn
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches/Staff | Team Website |
12-17, 10-12 North | Brian Burtnyk, 1st season | http://fdltcc.edu/campus-life/thunder-athletics/mens-basketball/ | |
Team Preview | |||
The Thunder finished with a 13-11 overall record in 2016-17 and tied for fourth place in the Northern Division at 9-5. FDL will be the last MCAC men's team to tip-off the regular season, opening with Western Technical College on December 1st in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The 2017-18 FDL roster features nine freshman and six sophomores. |
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Notable about the Thunder: | |||
The Thunder will be lead by first year head coach, Brian Burtnyk. Darius Williams was named to the MCAC All-Northern Division Team in 2016-17. | |||
First game | |||
Friday, December 1st, Western Technical College |
Hibbing Community College Hibbing, MN
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coach / Staff | Team Website |
1-24, 1-13 North | Brad Matuszak, 2nd season. 1-13, 1-24 | http://hibbing.edu/athletics/men's-basketball/schedule/ | |
Team Preview | |||
Notable: Coach Matuszak enters his second season with the Cardinals. Last year's lone win came at the expense of local rival, Itasca Community College. Returning sophomore Aaron Musburger was one of the top rebounders in the Division last winter. This year's Cardinal roster features student-athletes from Georgia (Christian Wood), Florida (Dontaveaus Johnson) and Southport, England (Jake Edwards) in the UK. | |||
First game | |||
Nov. 17th vs. St. Cloud Technical & Community College |
Itasca Community College Grand Rapids, Mn
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coach | Team Website: | |
9-18, 4-10 North | Shannon Roberts, 3 years 16-65 Overall | Bill Adamson | http://www.itascacc.edu/get-involved/athletics/mens-basketball/ | |
Team Preview | ||||
Coach Roberts on Expectations for the Viking program in 2017-18: "With this years returning players, we have the leadership this program has been missing. Because of this leadership, I expect great things" |
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Notable about the Vikings: | ||||
ICC will face a pair of early season non-conference tests when they play Leech Lake Tribal College (11/08) and Gogebic Community College (11/21) in November. | ||||
First game | ||||
Friday, November 17 at Vermilion – 8 p.m. |
Mesabi Range College Virginia, Mn
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coach | Team Website |
11-14 Overall, 5-9 North | Ryan Ostendorf 3 years, 48-35 | Matt Breeden, David Wilson, Jesse Bennett | www.mesabirange.edu |
Team Preview | |||
Notable about the Norse: The 2017-18 roster features three athletes from Florida and one from Louisiana. Mesabi Range will host an Alumni Contest on Saturday, November 11th. The Norse 2017-18 schedules features only two contests against non-MCAC team; they will play Gogebic Community College two times this year- December 6th and January 9th. Coach Ostendorf on the Norse in 2017-18: "We expect to return to the upper echelon of the MCAC Northern Division. We hope to be a high paced, high tempo offense, and a full court pressure defense." Key Returner: Kristian Young, Guard, Lecanto, FL New Faces: Bryce Hempel, Forward, Plymouth, MN; Dorian Nesmith, Forward, Melbourne, FL; Calvin Green, Guard, Crystal, MN; Calvin Lee, Guard, Monroe, LA Moving On: J'neil Gibson - Providence University College, Canada; Delon Samuna - Bacone College (OK); Kristofer Warren - Greenville University (IL) |
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First game | |||
Tuesday, Nov. 14 vs. Rainy River – 7 p.m. |
M State Fergus Falls, Mn
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coach | Team Website: |
5-22 Overall, 1-13 South | Shawn Sorenson; 1 year; 0-0 Overall; | Daniel Berge | http://athletics.minnesota.edu/landing/index |
Team Preview | |||
Key Retuners: Isaiah Lemke; Chris Tungseth New Faces: Aaron Solberg; Sam Priem; Austin Miller Coach Sorenson on expectations for the Spartan squad in 2017-18: "We have expectations of great sophomore leadership to help our freshman and team improve each game." |
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Notable on the Spartans in 2017-18: New head coach Shawn Sorenson is a former student-athlete and assistant at M State. The Spartans will open up with a pair of games at home, against Mayville State JV and NDSCS in early November. | |||
First game: | |||
Friday, Nov. 3rd Mayville State (JV) |
Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coach: | Team Website: |
8-18, 5-9 South | Aaron Poor Bear | Taylor Lupton | http://www.mnwest.edu/student-life/athletics/mens-basketball |
Team Preview | |||
Minnesota West CTC heads into the 2017-18 season with a new head coach, with Aaron Poor Bear taking over the Bluejay program this fall. Minnesota West will tackle four non-MCAC opponents to prepare for league play; Iowa Lakes, Northeastern, Northeast CC and Dakota County Technical College. |
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Notable about the Bluejays: |
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Minnesota West will open up the New Year with a January 3rd contest against Little Priest Tribal College. | |||
First game | |||
Tuesday, November 14 vs. Iowa Lakes Community College |
Northland Technical & Community College Thief River Falls, MN
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches / Staff | Team Website: |
- | Rick Nikunen; 25 years; 326-321 Overall | Chris Mclean, Asst. Coach | http://www.northlandcollege.edu/athletics/mens_basketball/ |
Team Preview | |||
Key Returners: Ju'Wan Evans, G Flint, MI; Chedonio Martin, G, Clearwater, FL; Brandon Murat, G, Poinciana, Fl; Cole Piatko, G, Massillon, OH New Faces: Kameron Parker, G, Niceville, FL; Keon Smith, F, Melbourne, FL |
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Notable about the NCTC Pioneers: | |||
Northland will travel to Lake Region State for a tournament on Nov. 11-12. The Pioneers also host their own tournament to open up 2018, January 5-6, in Thief River Falls. According to head coach, Rick Nikunen, "We are a veteran team." |
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First game | |||
Monday, Nov. 6 at Mayville State, JV - 7:00 p.m. |
Rainy River Community College International Falls, MN
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches/Staff | Team Website |
12-6 MCAC ( 9-5 N. DIv) / 21-7 / 4th Place | Bill Engel; 2 years; 27-25 | Drew Laverdure | http://www.rainyriver.edu/athletics/ |
Team Preview | |||
Optimism is high for the Rainy River Community College men's basketball squad after a strong run in the MCAC North in 2016-17. Coach Engel notes: "The Voyageurs will need to mature and gel quickly to compete at a high level in the always rugged MCAC." Key Returners: JP Schiffino, wing, Miami, FL; Davarius Wright, Minneapolis, MN New Faces: Isaiah Sims; Jesus Alfonso; Eddy Mercedes; Anthony Mera |
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Notable about Voyageur Basketball: | |||
Two former RRCC athletes are playing in the NCAA this year: Ira Johnson at Wisconsin-Stout and Ryston Watts at Illinois State | |||
First game | |||
@ Dakota County Technical College, Thursday, November 9th. |
Ridgewater College Wilmar, MN
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coach | Team Website |
28-6, 17-5 South | Nathan Thooft; 1 year; 0-0 Overall | Joel Wallace | http://ridgewater.northcentralus.cloudapp.azure.com/athletics/mens/index.html |
Team Preview | |||
Coach Thooft on Warrior Expectations for 2017-18: "This is a young team that will be defined by playing hard together, toughness, and executing. We are replacing a great group of sophomores that set the bar high, but this group is coming together and will compete every single night." Key Returner: Xavier Towne, Center, Marshall, MN New Faces: Niko Oliver, Guard, Orlando, FL; Thomas Meyers, Forward, Olivia, MN; Daviante Ostrander, Guard, Columbia, MO Moving On- Akeem Oglesby, NW Oklahoma State; Jack Turnbull, Mayville State; Taylor DeLaughter, Mayville State |
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Notable about the Warriors: | |||
The Warriors have a new leader at the helm, with Nathan Thooft taking over the Warrior program for 2017-18. | |||
First game | |||
Central Lakes College, Tuesday, Nov. 21 |
Riverland Community College Austin, MN
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches: | Team Website |
15-6 / 22-8 / 2nd Place South | Derek Hahn, 3 years, 32-25 | Andrew Kaiser; Andrew Lau | https://www.riverland.edu/riverland-athletics/mens-basketball/ |
Team Preview | |||
Coach Hahn on Blue Devil Expectations for 2017-18: "A lot of new faces will be relied upon heavily to contribute on a nightly basis. For this team to be successful we will need to learn to value defense and rebounding." Key Returners: Jace Klinkner G, Woodbury, MN; Jeremy Eriste G, Loxahattche, FL; James Landherr G, Rose Creek, MN New Faces: Octavein Johnson |
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Moving On to Four-Year Programs: Darius Bell - University of St. Mary; Donte Makazu - Lincoln University; Marcus Wynn - North Central University | |||
First game | |||
Dordt JV on Friday, November 10th |
Rochester Community & Technical College Rochester, MN
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches / Staff | Team Website: |
17-12, 8-6 South; Runner-up in MCAC State Tournament | Brian LaPlante; 21 years; 413-185 | Jason Bonde; Matt Christensen | http://www.rctcyellowjackets.com/sports/mbkb/index |
Team Preview | |||
Coach LaPlante on Yellowjacket Expectations for 2017-18: "With only 3 returners we will not be very experienced, but have depth and talent. I expect that we will improve and play hard as we understand how hard it is to win in our league" Key Returners: Jumah'ri Turner, Guard, Bloomington, MN; Michael Cornelius, Forward St. Paul, MN; Tyree Caruthers, Forward, Fridley, MN New Faces: Tevin Killeen; Kashif Hayes; Ray Adams; Justin Wofford
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Notable about the Yellowjackets: | |||
RCTC rallied late in the 2016-17 season to win seven of their last 10 regular season games and gain entry into the MCAC State tournament as the #4 seed in the South. With a couple of upset wins, Rochester CTC played their way to the final, falling to ARCC in the championship game. | |||
First game | |||
Saturday, Nov. 4 at Milwaukee Area Technical College – 3 p.m. |
St. Cloud Technical & Community College St. Cloud, MN
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches/Staff | Team Website: |
10-4 MCAC / 20-7 Overall / 3rd Place South | Andrew Cone Andy Cone; 6 years; 92-66 Overall | Thomas Thuok, Brent Petermeier, Cole Hanson | http://sctccathletics.com/sports/mbkb/index |
Team Preview | |||
Coach Cone on the 2017-18 SCTCC men's squad: "This year's Cyclones should be a fun group to watch. We hope to continue building on the success we have had over the past few years. Knowing that our division is tough night in and night out, we will once again look to our returning players for leadership on and off the floor." Key Returners: Kyle Williams, Guard, Osseo, MN; Quentin Miller, Guard, Duluth, MN; Shariff Silas, Forward, Sauk Centre, MN New Faces: Mitch McDonald, Guard, St. Paul, MN; Kobe Boraas, Guard, Sauk Rapids, MN; Jazz Boker, Forward, Osseo, MN; Izaiah Sanders, Guard, Chicago, IL |
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Notable about the Cyclones: Head Coach Andrew Cone is approaching 100 wins in career this season. | |||
Moving On- Kalu Abosi (Hamline); Cornell Pillow (Graceland); Levi Hunt (Northwestern, St. Paul); Charles Young (Crown); Lance Gardner (Elmhurst IL) |
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First game | |||
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Gogebic Community College @ Anoka Ramsey Community College |
Vermilion Community College Ely, MN
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Last Year | Head Coach | Assistant Coaches/Staff | Team Website: |
20-10, 12-2 South | Paul McDonald, 28 years / 507-251 | Reed Peterson | http://www.vcc.edu/athletics/mens-basketball/ |
Team Preview | |||
Key Returners: Demetrice Mitchell Forward St. Paul, MN Denario Jackson Guard St. Paul, MN Bradlee Lewis Guard Mpls, MN Marquail Johnson Guard Columbia, MO New Faces: Noel Mishiri Forward Orono, MN Del Guerrero Guard Kimball, MN Devontaye Spates Center Mpls, MN Glenn Smith Guard Columbus, OH Moving On: Sean Knight, Univ. of British Columbia |
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Notable about the Ironmen: | |||
Head Coach Paul McDonald won his 500th game during the 2016-17 season and the Ironmen look poised to add several W's to that total in 2017-18. With a strong recruiting class to combine with some seasoned returners, Vermilion was selected just behind Central Lakes in the Northern Division coaches poll. McDonald notes that his team "hopes to be in the mix for a Division title" as the season wears on. |
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First game | |||
Friday, Nov. 17 vs. Itasca Community College, 8pm |
Western Technical College
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Last Year: 1-13 Southern Division, 5-20 Overall
Head Coach Erik Wuensch, 5 years, 58-78 Overall
Assistant Coaches: Matt Sullivan
Team Website: https://www.westerntc.edu/mens-basketball
Key Returners / New Faces: Shawn Gerron,Guard, Michigan City, Ind. / Alex Tecker, Justen Kidd, Joshua Brownlee, Kadar Farah.
Coach Wuensh on the 2017-18 Season: " We are really young this season and not real big, but we have some pretty good athletes so we will play fast to offset size."
Notable about the Cavaliers:
Head Coach Erik Wuensch and his WTC Cavalier squad will open 2017-18 playing four non-conference teams, three from Wisconsin. WTC will see Bryant & Stratton, Milwaukee Technical, UW-Richland and Saint Mary's JV squad in early November.
First game Nov. 8 @ Milwaukee Technical College