Rochester, MN-
The 2023-24 Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) Men's Basketball season is underway, with inter-divisional play beginning this week. Fifteen teams will take the court over the next two weekends in the MCAC North/South Crossover. Then, after a short break to celebrate the holidays, division play will begin, with a champion being crowned in late February. Throughout the first month of non-conference action, the lone undefeated team is Minnesota North College - Rainy River, and all fifteen teams in the MCAC have at least one win.
MCAC Men's Basketball has three coaches making their MCAC head coaching debuts this season. Khalid El-Amin at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Dave Cresap at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, and Dawson Dickson at Minnesota North College - Vermilion will be looking to make an immediate impact on their programs. Dan Tharp, although a first-year coach at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, got his feet wet in the MCAC last season as a first-year coach at Minnesota North College - Vermilion.
Although seeing coaching turnover at four colleges this season, the MCAC takes pride in having several of the top veteran coaches in the nation. Rick Nikunen at Northland Community and Technical College begins his 32nd season, Brian LaPlante at Rochester Community and Technical College begins his 28th season, and Jim Russell at Central Lakes College is entering his 26th season. Andrew Cone (St. Cloud Technical & Community College) begins his 13th season, Erik Wuensch (Western Technical College) is starting his 12th season, and Shannon Roberts (Minnesota North College - Itasca) has coached for a decade in the conference.
As inter-division play tips off on December 1, MCAC Men's Basketball coaches shared their thoughts about the upcoming conference season. Read below for a brief preview of the upcoming MCAC Men's Basketball season.
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 ConferenceSouth Division Men's Basketball Preview
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Anoka-Ramsey Community College
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Head Coach: Khalid El-Amin, 1st year as the head coach at ARCC Overall Coaching Record at ARCC: 0-0 Assistant Coaching Staff: Peter Vang and Bruce Price 2022-23 Record: 7-5 in the MCAC, 13-11 overall, 3rd in the MCAC South Division Top returning players: No one mentioned. Top incoming/new players: No one mentioned.
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Minnesota State Community and Technical College
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Head Coach: Dave Cresap, 1st year as head coach at M State Overall Coaching Record at M State: 0-0 Assistant Coaching Staff: Brian Schwantz 2022-23 Record: 6-6 in MCAC, 14-12 overall, 6th in the MCAC South Division Top returning players: Yonis Mohamud, Shakopee, MN, Guard Belind Alemadi, Moorhead, MN, Guard Matt Gooselaw, West Fargo, ND, Forward Khamani Steckler, Chicago, IL, Center Mikele Kambalo, Sioux Falls, SD, Guard Marqual Turner, Minneapolis, MN, Forward Top incoming/new players: Eric Gore, Augusta, GA, Guard Kaden Conklin, Fergus Falls, MN, Guard Tyson McArthur, Waubun, MN, Forward Kam Arechigo, Fargo, ND, Guard Diamond McGill, Fargo, ND, Guard Coach Cresap on his team: "We expect to be very competitive night in and out. We hope to continue to improve as the season goes along. We would like to make a run at the postseason tournament." Noteworthy Information: The Spartans have a new floor and new basketball rims throughout the gym, with a general makeover on the walls and end lines. The weight room received an upgrade as well.
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Minnesota West Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Dan Tharp, 1st year as head coach at Minnesota West Overall Coaching Record at MN West: 0-0 Assistant Coaching Staff: Antonio Petty 2022-23 Record: 0-12 in the MCAC, 5-21 overall, 7th in the MCAC South Division Top returning players: No one mentioned. Top incoming/new players: Sammy Russ, White Bear Lake, MN, Forward Jordan Samuelsson, Stockholm, Sweden, Guard Kenneth Logan, Chicago, IL, Guard Jeremiah Guevarra, Milwaukee, WI, Guard Coach Tharp on his team: "With three athletes following me from Vermilion, we look to build on the success we had in Ely and continue that to build up the program at Minnesota West. We have 15 new student-athletes to our system who have bought into learning and succeeding. We are excited to see the season unfold."
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Ridgewater College
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Head Coach: Nathan Thooft, 7th year as head coach at Ridgewater Overall Coaching Record at Ridgewater: 58-66 Assistant Coaching Staff: Faizon Stephens 2022-23 Record: 6-6 in the MCAC, 11-13 overall, 5th in the MCAC South Division Top returning players: Noah Wilts, Marshall, MN, Guard Tanner Swanson, Superior, WI, Forward Marwan Abdi, St. Peter, MN, Forward Top incoming/new players: Aiden Wichmann, Balaton, MN, Guard Que Long, Stillwater, OK, Guard Max Moberly, Willmar, MN, Forward Kolton Kunz, Mankato, MN, Wing Coach Thooft on his team: "We are excited to compete with this group! Fun team that is hungry to execute, bring energy, and play together."
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Riverland Community College
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Head Coach: Derek Hahn, 9th year as head coach at Riverland Overall Coaching Record at Riverland: 163-61 Assistant Coaching Staff: Paul Anderson and Andrew Kaiser 2022-23 Record: 8-4 in the MCAC, 17-11 overall, 2nd in the MCAC South Division Top returning players: Savier McCall, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Forward Jourdan Weddle, Milwaukee, WI, Guard Kelvin Harris, Milwaukee, WI, Forward Top incoming/new players: Dewayne Thompson, St. Paul, MN, Guard Christian Campbell, Miami, FL, Guard Daeshawn Jackson, Milwaukee, WI, Guard Jose Yepez, Miami, FL, Forward Buai Duop, Austin, MN, Forward Avery Weddle, Milwaukee, WI, Guard Coach Hahn on his 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!"
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Rochester Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Brian LaPlante, 28th year as head coach at RCTC Overall Coaching Record at Rochester: 535-231 Assistant Coaching Staff: Mitch Baures and Sean LaPlante 2022-23 Record: 8-4 in the MCAC, 23-8 overall, Champions of the MCAC South Division, Region 13 Champions, 3rd place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament Top returning players: Obinna Izuora, Moundsview, MN, Guard Daelen Whitfield, St. Paul, MN, Guard Zach Herrmann, Blue Earth, MN, Guard Blue Smaller, Minneapolis, MN, Forward Roman Warmka, Grand Meadow, MN, Forward Top incoming/new players: Jason Klecker, Owatonna, MN, Forward Laden Nerison, Kenyon, MN, Guard Aden Price, Moundsview, MN, Guard AJ Akot, Sioux Falls, SD, Guard Coach LaPlante on his team: "We are very inexperienced - we hope to gain valuable experience in non-conference games and make a run at a playoff berth."
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St. Cloud Technical and Community College
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Head Coach: Andrew Cone, 13th year as head coach at SCTCC Overall Coaching Record at St. Cloud Tech: 178-107 Assistant Coaching Staff: Dillon Haider 2022-23 Record: 7-5 in the MCAC, 13-9 overall, 4th in the MCAC South Division Top returning players: Jacob Wulf, Canon Falls, MN, Guard Top incoming/new players: Tre Michaels, St. Paul, MN, Guard Tong Diing, Auburn, ME, Guard Goanar Tap, St. Cloud, MN, Forward MJ Galimah, Coon Rapids, MN, Guard Coach Cone on his team: "We only have one returning player from last year's team, so there will be a lot of learning from this year's group. We are playing a tough non-conference schedule, hoping it will prepare us for division play, where it will be tough every night!"
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Western Technical College
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Head Coach: Erik Wuensch, 12th year as head coach at WTC Overall Coaching Record at Western Tech: 140-158 Assistant Coaching Staff: Noah Kearney 2022-23 Record: Did not compete Top returning players: Austin Grams, Markesan, WI, Forward Dalton Collins, Fayette, MO, Forward Ethan Lindhardt, Utah, Guard Top incoming/new players: Cullen Rauls, Fall River, WI, Guard Trey Crowley, Black River Falls, WI, Center Evan Matthews, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Guard Brian Williams, St. Paul, MN, Guard Coach Wuensch on his team: "Good incoming freshmen class to get to work with."
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Minnesota College Athletic ConferenceNorth Division Men's Basketball Preview
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Central Lakes College
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Head Coach: James Russell, 26th year as head coach at CLC Overall Coaching Record at Central Lakes: 499-202 Assistant Coaching Staff: Darsean Woodson, George Washington, Ben Aeilts 2022-23 Record: 12-2 in the MCAC, 18-9 overall, Co-Champions of the MCAC North Division Top returning players: Quamar Gresham, St. Cloud, MN, Guard Langston Binns, St. Paul, MN, Guard Broden Fleisher, Frazee, MN, Guard Michael Scott, Fort Wayne, IN, Forward Top incoming/new players: DeWayne Givens, St. Paul, MN, Guard Makieth Deng, Coon Rapids, MN, Forward Kyan Reichhoff, Portage, WI, Guard Jakobe Jones, Lagrange, GA, Guard Coach Russell on his team: "Well-balanced team with quickness and size. Learn our roles; then we can compete."
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Minnesota North College - Hibbing
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Head Coach: Mackenzie Krowiorz, 2nd year as head coach at Hibbing Overall Coaching Record at Hibbing: 7-19 Assistant Coaching Staff: Clifford Detiege 2022-23 Record: 4-10 in the MCAC, 7-19 overall, 6th in the MCAC North Division Top returning players: Seven Ferguson, Miami, FL, Wing Sam Serna, Eveleth, MN, Guard Colton Pagnac, Stephen, MN, Forward Top incoming/new players: Nick Buchanan, Springdale, AR, Guard Rayshon Howard, Gary, IN, Forward John Williams, Atlanta, GA, Guard Jalen Thorns, Winston-Salem, NC, Guard Coach Krowiorz on his team: "We are excited for a season of progression and steps forward towards where we want our young men to be on and off the floor."
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Minnesota North College - Itasca
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Head Coach: Shannon Roberts, 10th year as head coach at Itasca Overall Coaching Record at Itasca: 72-148 Assistant Coaching Staff: Melissa Roberts 2022-23 Record: 8-6 in the MCAC, 12-18 overall, 4th in the MCAC North Division Top returning players: Johnnie Ambrose, Winthrop, MN, Guard Takieto (TJ) Palmer, Atlanta, GA, Forward Brady Thomas, Miami, FL, Guard Jordan Aghan, Melbourne, Australia, Forward Donte Whymns, Nassau, Bahamas, Forward Top incoming/new players: Stephen Iordache, Bucharest, Romania, Guard Malik Tinsley, Kansas City, MO, Guard Luka Goshadze, Tbilisi, Georgia, Guard Benjamin Rumanyika, Buckeye, AZ, Forward Coach Roberts on his team: "Expectations for our program are high, but we have the talent and leadership to meet them. It's important that our players keep their emotions in check and focus on executing their roles to the best of their abilities. When we work together and stay disciplined, we can achieve great things on and off the court."
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Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range
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Head Coach: Tamara Moore, 4th year as the head coach at Mesabi Range Overall Coaching Record at Mesabi Range: 28-27 Assistant Coaching Staff: Jesse Bennett, Quan Wilson, and J.R. Robinson 2022-23 Record: 10-4 in the MCAC, 19-10 overall, 3rd in the MCAC North Division Top returning players: Kaelab Roberts, Austin, TX, Guard Chris Rogers, St. Louis, MO, Forward Anthony Rayson, Minneapolis, MN, Center Vance Alexander Jr., Green Bay, WI, Guard Top incoming/new players: Amari George, Milwaukee, WI, Center Aron Whiteside, Milwaukee, WI, Forward Grant Hansen, Coleraine, MN, Guard Nathan Abuin, Miami, FL, Forward Coach Moore on her team: "We have unfinished business this season with the success of making it to the Region 13 Championship Game - we want to take the next step to Nationals." Noteworthy Information: Coach Moore had the privilege of coaching the Boston Celtics Summer League team as an assistant over the summer.
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Minnesota North College - Rainy River
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Head Coach: Bill Engel, 9th year as head coach at Rainy River Overall Coaching Record at Rainy River: Assistant Coaching Staff: 2022-23 Record: 12-2 in the MCAC, 21-6 overall, Co-Champions of the MCAC North Division Top returning players: No one mentioned Top incoming/new players: No one mentioned
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Minnesota North College - Vermilion
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Head Coach: Dawson Dickson, 1st year as head coach at Vermilion Overall Coaching Record at Vermilion: 0-0 Assistant Coaching Staff: N/A 2022-23 Record: 6-8 in the MCAC, 12-13 overall, 5th in the MCAC North Division Top returning players: No one mentioned. Top incoming/new players: Jeremy Leonard, Houston, TX Tyson Rogers, Lakeland, FL Rashad Jalloh, Montgomery County, MD Quyavant Douglas, Brooklyn Center, MN Coach Dawson on his team: "Continue to get better every day and take it one day at a time." Noteworthy Information: Coach Dawson is a first-year head coach and brought in 17 new players.
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Northland Community and Technical College
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Head Coach: Rick Nikunen, 32nd year as head coach at NCTC Overall Coaching Record at Northland: 419-381 Assistant Coaching Staff: N/A 2022-23 Record: 2-12 in the MCAC, 5-18 overall, 7th in the MCAC North Division Top returning players: Malic Osei-Tutu, Melbourne, FL, Guard Top incoming/new players: Shawn Greene, Minneola, FL, Forward Manny Mack, Palm Bay, FL, Forward Coach Nikunen on his team: "We hope to be competitive in the North Division."
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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.