Rochester, MN-
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) Men's Basketball season is underway, and 16 teams prepare to begin conference play on Wednesday evening. Coaches from around the MCAC took time to share their thoughts on the 2021-22 season.
Minnesota College Athletic Conference Men's Basketball competes at the NJCAA Division III level and is divided into two divisions, North and South.
MCAC Men's Basketball has five coaches making their MCAC debuts this week: Alex Fodness (M State), Brian Stoebner (MN West), Robert Smith (FDLTCC), David Wilson (Hibbing), and Tamara Moore (Mesabi Range). Coach Moore has made history this season as the first African-American woman to be hired to head coach a college men's basketball team.
Several veteran coaches take the sidelines as well this conference season. Rick Nikunen (Northland) begins his 30th MCAC season, while Brian LaPlante (Rochester) and Jim Russell (Central Lakes) are in years 26 and 24 respectively. Ron Larson (Anoka-Ramsey) takes the helm for the 13th year, and Andrew Cone (St. Cloud Tech) and Erik Wuensch (Western Tech) are each in year 10 of their tenure. LaPlante recently picked up his 500th career win coaching at Rochester Community and Technical College.
Read on for additional information about the MCAC Men's Basketball teams. Be sure to follow @MCACSports and @NJCAABasketball on Twitter for the latest in MCAC and NJCAA two-year college basketball news, rankings and season information.
For the MCAC Men's Basketball home page, click here or go to: https://mcacsports.org/sports/mbkb/index
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2021-22 South Division Men's Basketball Preview
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Anoka-Ramsey Community College
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Head Coach: Ron Larson, 13th year as the head coach at ARCC Overall Coaching Record at ARCC: 217-151 Assistant Coaching Staff: Ron Howard 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 6-6 Top returning players: Roland Washington, New Brighton, MN, Forward Josiah Remus-Ford, St. Paul, MN, Guard Terrell Fountain, St. Paul, MN, Forward Top incoming/new players: Devin Wade-Henderson, Richfield, MN, Forward Ontario Chapman, St. Paul, MN, Forward Elijah Mead, Phoenix, AZ, Guard Daydor Philips, Spring Lake Park, MN, Guard/Forward Coach Larson on his 2021-22 team: "We have good returning players and have added some great first year players and transfers to give us good quality depth." Noteworthy Information: Coach Larson is approaching 700 wins in his high school and college coaching career.
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Minnesota State Community and Technical College
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Head Coach: Alex Fodness, 1st year as head coach at M State Overall Coaching Record at M State: 5-7 Assistant Coaching Staff: Ryder Johnson 2020-21 Record: 1-7 in MCAC, 2-7 overall Current 2021-22 Record: 5-7 Top returning players: Nic Pearson, Fergus Falls, MN, Guard Renell Edwards, St. Cloud, MN, Guard Mert Taylor, Rochester, MN, Wing Carter Cresap, Perham, MN, Guard Top incoming/new players: Tyler Loe, McVille, ND, Guard Langston Davis, Fayetteville, NC, Wing Coach Fodness on his 2021-22 team: "We have a solid mix of returning and first year players that we will lean on this season. We hope to play an exciting, up tempo game of basketball and improve as the season progresses. Our goal is to be competitive in the MCAC South."
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Minnesota West Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Brian Stoebner, 1st year as head coach at Minnesota West Overall Coaching Record at MN West: 3-9 Assistant Coaching Staff: N/A 2020-21 Record: 4-10 in MCAC, 11-12 overall Current 2021-22 Record: 3-9 Top returning players: Keitric Barber, Baton Rouge, LA, Forward Dre Benzoni, Norwalk, IA, Guard Nick Feir, Luverne, MN, Guard Courtney Ligon, Montgomery, AL, Guard Kong Neyail, Des Moines, IA, Forward Top incoming/new players: Amos Alford, Wichita, KS, Forward Arjun Bassi, Missisauga, ON, Center Tyvorus Lawton, Palatka, FL, Guard Brody Sohn, Lake Park, IA, Guard Coach Stoebner on his 2021-22 team: "I expect us to compete throughout the season and conference play. I have high expectations for our work on the defensive side of the ball."
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Ridgewater College
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Head Coach: Nathan Thooft, 5th year as head coach at Ridgewater Overall Coaching Record at Ridgewater: 40-45 Assistant Coaching Staff: Dalton Kleinschmidt and Faizon Stephens 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 8-2 Top returning players: Cartier Bickley, Akron, OH, Wing Top incoming/new players: Byntley Theork, Naples, FL, Guard Tyson Dyer, Adilaide, Australia, Guard Jaylyn Clardy, Pensicola, FL, Wing Menelik Garrick, Palm Bay, FL, Center Coach Thooft on his 2021-22 team: "We are a young team that is looking to compete, grow, and improve." |
Riverland Community College
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Head Coach: Derek Hahn, 7th year as head coach at Riverland Overall Coaching Record at Riverland: 127-49 Assistant Coaching Staff: Andrew Kaiser (6th Year) 2020-21 Record: 8-1 in the MCAC, 16-3 overall, MCAC Champions Current 2021-22 Record: 12-1 Top returning players: Cleveland Bedgood, Miami, FL, Guard Deng Jal, Omaha, NE, Center Dominik Bangu, Mankato, MN, Forward Lajarrion Spinks, Jonesboro, LA, Forward Joe Burgos, Miami, FL, Forward Top incoming/new players: Junior Stone, Bloomington, MN, Guard Malik Cooper, Miami, FL, Guard Raheem Brizendine, Omaha, NE, Guard Julius Kennedy, Vancouver, BC, Guard Coach Hahn on his 2021-22 team: "Solid mix of key returning pieces and new faces who will be relied upon heavily to contribute. For this team to be successful, we will need to learn to value defense and rebound at a high level on both ends of the floor!" 2020-21 Student-Athletes competing at a 4-year college this year: Montrell Jacobs - Kentucky State University Tate Hebrink - Valley City State University Edmon Oyet - Valley City State University Deandre Raggs - Tabor College Jace Klinkler - Lakeland College
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Rochester Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Brian LaPlante, 26th year as head coach at RCTC Overall Coaching Record at Rochester: 500-219 Assistant Coaching Staff: Matt Narveson 2020-21 Record: 12-6 overall, Region XIII Champions Current 2021-22 Record: 10-3 Top returning players: Keivonte Watts, Utica, MS, Guard Devyn Frye, Minneapolis, MN, Guard Quest McCrimmon, Kissimmee, FL, Guard Quincy Burland, Castle Rock, CO, Guard Quentin Williams, Zion, IL, Forward Top incoming/new players: Nick Pepin, Coralsville, IA, Guard Colt Landers, Grand Meadow, MN, Forward Andre Crockett, Rochester, MN, Guard Nolan Stier, Stewartville, MN, Guard Coach LaPlante on his 2021-22 team: "We will have a hard non-conference schedule and try to improve each week and hopefully make a run at the MCAC Tournament."
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St. Cloud Technical and Community College
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Head Coach: Andrew Cone, 10th year as head coach at SCTCC Overall Coaching Record at St. Cloud Tech: 157-91 Assistant Coaching Staff: Thomas Thuok and Mathias Meyer 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 4-2 Top returning players: London Williams, Cambridge, MN, Forward Tierre Davis, St. Paul, MN, Guard Michael Asbury, St. Michael, MN, Guard Reace Anders, Hopkins, MN, Guard Top incoming/new players: Semaj Threats, Las Vegas, NV, Guard Manni Ukutegbe, Aitkin, MN, Forward Will Luok, Auburn, WA, Forward Lucky Moronge, Coon Rapids, MN, Guard Coach Cone on his 2021-22 team: "We will play hard and hope to compete with the tough competition in the southern division." 2020-21 Student-Athletes competing at a 4-year college this year: Dillon Haider - MN Morris Taye Carter - LeTourneau University Eric Racine - University of Winnipeg
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Western Technical College
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Head Coach: Erik Wuensch, 10th year as head coach at WTC Overall Coaching Record at Western Tech: 115-150 Assistant Coaching Staff: Matt Sullivan 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 3-8 Top returning players: Cade Badertschere, Janesville, WI, Guard Noah Kearney, Caledonia, MN, Guard Top incoming/new players: Barrett Witt, Forward Jhakai Funches, Guard Mac Jones, Guard Coach Wuensch on his 2021-22 team: "Losing last season to COVID and only having 2 players back, we need the freshmen to step into big roles for us to compete."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2021-22 North Division Men's Basketball Preview
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Central Lakes College
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Head Coach: James Russell, 24th year as head coach at CLC Overall Coaching Record at Central Lakes: 477-187 Assistant Coaching Staff: Brandon Bell, George Washington II, and Ben Aeilts 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 9-3 Top returning players: TJ Kornbaum, Little Falls, MN, Forward Top incoming/new players: Quamar Gresham, St. Cloud, MN, Guard Zaa Buffalo, Duluth, MN, Forward Adrian Mogaka, Brooklyn Park, MN, Guard Rodney Oliver, Milwaukee, WI, Forward Derek Aeilts, Albuquerque, NM, Forward Coach Russell on his 2021-22 team: "Very young woth one returning player but good all-around size and athletes."
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Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
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Head Coach: Robert Smith, 1st year as head coach at FDLTCC Overall Coaching Record at Fond du Lac: 4-5 Assistant Coaching Staff: Joseph Chambers 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 4-5 Top returning players: None Top incoming/new players: Demetrius Torrence Jr, Little Rock, AR, Guard Tahj Jenkins, Lake Wales, FL, Forward Jehoiada Goins, Kansas City, KS, Forward Coach Smith on his 2021-22 team: "Looking forward to being a part of these young men's maturation process. I expect this team to work hard daily to not only become better athletes, but to become better citizens, so that they can go back to their respective communities to be leaders."
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Hibbing Community College
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Head Coach: David Wilson, 1st year as head coach at HCC Overall Coaching Record at Hibbing: 3-6 Assistant Coaching Staff: Kate Brau 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 3-6 Top returning players: Moe Washington, Las Vegas, NV, Guard Top incoming/new players: Rasonte Smith, Indianapolis, IN, Guard Steven Bull, Rosebud, TX, Forward Alvin Judd, Washington D.C., Guard Stephon Smith, Bahamas, Forward Coach's comment on the 2021-22 team: "Need everyone to buy in on the defensive end if we are going to have success."
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Itasca Community College
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Head Coach: Shannon Roberts, 8th year as head coach at ICC Overall Coaching Record at Itasca: 53-122 Assistant Coaching Staff: Henry Hellman and Giana Roberts 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 6-7 Top returning players: Zion Brown, Tallahassee, FL, Guard Nick Grant, Houston, TX, Guard Deidrich Kemp, Houston, TX, Guard Top incoming/new players: Jerome Washington, Andover, KS, Guard Rycen Lagmay-Yamaha, Las Vegas, NV, Guard Cody Lee, Wewahitchka, FL, Forward Jimsley Sineus, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Guard Coach Roberts on his 2021-22 team: "We will be deep and competitive." 2020-21 Student-Athletes competing at a 4-year college this year: Samir Brown - Regent University
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Mesabi Range College
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Head Coach: Tamara Moore, 2nd year as the head coach at MRC Overall Coaching Record at Mesabi Range: 2-9 Assistant Coaching Staff: William Howard and Dallas Taylor 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 2-9 Top returning players: Mark Campbell, Minneapolis, MN, Guard Glentrel Carter, Minneapolis, MN, Forward Nataj Sanders, Lexington, KY, Forward Ziaire Davis, Philadelphia, PA, Forward Mayan White, Lexington, KY, Guard Top incoming/new players: Julian Beltre, Florida, Guard Johnny Spencer, Minneapolis, MN, Forward Mustafa Salad, Minneapolis, MN, Forward Artenquis King, St. Louis, MO, Guard Coach Moore on her 2021-22 team: "We are looking to change the culture and mindset to be a winning program." Noteworthy Information: Tamara Moore will make her debut this year as the 1st African-American women to be hired to head coach a college men's basketball team. |
Northland Community and Technical College
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Head Coach: Rick Nikunen, 30th year as head coach at NCTC Overall Coaching Record at Northland: 404-357 Assistant Coaching Staff: N/A 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 4-5 Top returning players: Kenny Placide, Vero Beach, FL, Forward Zack Meyer, Springhill, FL, Forward Quincy Leday, Opelousas, LA, Guard Top incoming/new players: D'Mani Nettles, Leesburg, FL, Guard Gavin Walker, Erskine, MN, Guard Coach Nikunen on his 2021-22 team: "We hope to be competitive in the North Division."
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Rainy River Community College
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Head Coach: Bill Engel, 6th year as head coach at RRCC Overall Coaching Record at Rainy River: 88-60 Assistant Coaching Staff: N/A 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 7-4 Top returning players: Leomar Castillo, Miami, FL, Wing Faizon Francis, Deerfield Beach, FL, Guard Top incoming/new players: Antoine Vincent Genod, Dijon, France Alex Aguilar, Miami, FL Mariece Nelson, Minneapolis, MN Stephan Mereus, Deerfield Beach, FL Coach Engel on his 2021-22 team: "The expectations for the Voyageurs are to play hard each night and create a post season opportunity for the program." Noteworthy Information: Rainy River alumnus Davarius Wright (2016-2018) is currently playing professionally for Aktobe in Kazakhstan.
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Vermilion Community College
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Head Coach: Reed Petersen, 2nd year as head coach at VCC Overall Coaching Record at Vermilion: 6-26 Assistant Coaching Staff: N/A 2020-21 Record: Did not compete Current 2021-22 Record: 0-10 Top returning players: Kengi Bryant, Miami, FL Austin Funk, Grand Meadow, MN Top incoming/new players: Ronald Ducros, New Orleans, LA Coach Petersen on his 2021-22 team: "We are excited to have so many new players after the COVID season. Everyone has shown an ability to work hard and start to come together as a team."
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About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.