Augsburg College - Athletics

2007-08 Augsburg College Men's Basketball Season Preview

General Information
School Name: Augsburg College
Location: 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Founded: 1869
Enrollment: 3,872 (includes undergrad, weekend, graduate)
Nickname: Auggies
School Colors: Maroon and Gray (Pantone 209 maroon, Pantone 424 gray)
Arena: Si Melby Hall (Ernie Anderson Court)
Capacity: 2,200
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
President: Dr. Paul C. Pribbenow
Faculty Athletic Representative: Tracy Bibelnieks
Athletic Director: Jeff Swenson
Athletic Phone: 612-330-1249
Athletic Fax: 612-330-1372

History
First year of men's basketball: 1924
All-time playoff record: 17-23
Years in post-season play: 18
Last postseason appearance: 2000-01 (lost 72-59 to Bethel in first round of MIAC playoffs)
All-time record: N/A

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Aaron Griess (3rd year at Augsburg, 8th year overall)
Alma Mater/Year: Colorado College '93
Record at school (yrs): 14-36 (2 seasons)
Career record: 85-97 (7 seasons)
Head Coach's office phone: 612-330-1238
Coach's e-mail: griess@augsburg.edu

Assistant Coaches
Shawn Stibbins (Hamline '98, 2nd season)
Ryan Kershaw (St. Olaf '04, 1st season)

Sports Information
Sports Information Director: Don Stoner
SID office phone: 612-330-1677
Cell phone: 612-363-3923
SID Fax: 612-330-1372
E-Mail: stoner@augsburg.edu
Athletic Website: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/

2006-07 Game-by Game Results (* denotes MIAC games; Home games in bold)
Tue., Nov. 21, vs. Crown College (Minn.), W 100-71
Mon., Nov. 27, vs. Presentation College (S.D.), W 93-72
Wed., Nov. 29, vs. Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.), W 93-84
Sat., Dec. 2, at Gustavus Adolphus College *, L 84-67
Mon., Dec. 4, at College of St. Scholastica, L 95-79
Wed., Dec. 6, at St. Olaf College *, W 69-59
Sat., Dec. 9, vs. Carleton College *, W 80-69
Sat., Dec. 30, vs. Northwestern College-Roseville (Minn.), L 91-77
Wed., Jan. 3, vs. Hamline University *, W 65-45
Sat., Jan. 6, at Macalester College *, L 90-76
Mon., Jan. 8, at University of St. Thomas *, L 80-63
Wed., Jan. 10, vs. St. John's University *, L 75-65
Sat., Jan. 13, at St. Mary's University *, W 83-73
Mon., Jan. 15, vs. Concordia College-Moorhead *, W 77-66
Wed., Jan. 17, at Bethel University *, L 93-83
Sat., Jan. 20, at Carleton College *, L 76-59
Mon., Jan. 22, vs. Gustavus Adolphus College *, L 69-56
Sat., Jan. 27, vs. St. Olaf College *, L 90-74
Wed., Jan. 31, at Hamline University *, L 85-84
Sat., Feb. 3, vs. Macalester College *, L 94-81
Mon., Feb. 5, vs. University of St. Thomas *, L 80-75 (2OT)
Wed., Feb. 7, at St. John's University *, L 67-54
Sat., Feb. 10, vs. St. Mary's University *, L 80-68
Wed., Feb. 14, at Concordia College-Moorhead *, W 65-59
Sat., Feb. 17, vs. Bethel University *, W 87-82 (OT)

2007-08 Schedule (* denotes MIAC games; Home games in bold)
Fri.-Sat., Nov. 16-17, at Concordia-Portland (Ore.) Thrivent Invitational
Fri., Nov. 16, vs. Pacific Lutheran Univ. (Wash.), 4 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 17, vs. Concordia University-Seward (Neb.) or Concordia Univ.-Portland (Ore.), 6/8 p.m.
Tue., Nov. 20, at Northwestern College-Roseville, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 28, vs. Carleton College *, 7:45 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 1, vs. Gustavus Adolphus College *, 3 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 5, vs. St. Olaf College *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 15, vs. College of St. Scholastica, 3 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 2, at Presentation College (S.D.), 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 5, at Hamline University *, 3 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 7, at Macalester College * (at St. Catherine), 7:45 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 9, vs. University of St. Thomas *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 12, at St. John's University *, 3 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 16, vs. St. Mary's University *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 19, at Concordia College-Moorhead *, 3 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 21, vs. Bethel University *, 7:45 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 23, at Carleton College *, 7:45 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 26, at Gustavus Adolphus College *, 3 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 2, vs. Hamline University *, 3 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 4, at St. Olaf College *, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 6, vs. Macalester College *, 7:45 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 9, vs. St. John's University *, 3 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 13, at University of St. Thomas *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 16, vs. Concordia College-Moorhead, 3 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 20, at St. Mary's University *, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 23, at Bethel University *, 3 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 26, MIAC Playoff First Round (6 at 3, 5 at 4)
Thu., Feb. 28, MIAC Playoff Semifinals (6/3, 5/4 at 1, 2)
Sat., March 1, MIAC Playoff Championship Game (at high seed)
Thu., March 6, NCAA Div. III National Playoff First Round
Fri.-Sat., March 7-8, NCAA Div. III National Playoff First/Second Rounds
Fri.-Sat., March 14-15, NCAA Div. III National Playoff Sectionals
Fri.-Sat., March 21-22, NCAA Div. III National Playoff Semifinals/Finals at Salem Civic Center, Salem, Va.

Player & Team Information
Overall record last year: 10-15
Conference record/finish: 7-13 / 8th
Letterwinners returning/lost: 10/5
Starters returning/lost: 3/2
Roster By Year: 5 seniors, 6 juniors, 3 sophomores, 5 first-years. TOTAL: 19.

Returning Key Players
Femi Solaja (C, SR, 6-5, Cottage Grove, Minn./St. Paul Harding HS), averaged 11.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg in 2007 with 19 blocked shots; All-MIAC honorable-mention in 2006-07; transfer from Minnesota State CTC-Fergus Falls; NJCAA preseason third-team All-American in 2005-06; All-Divison, All-MCCC, All-MCCC Tournament, NJCAA All-Region XII and team MVP in 2005-06; averaged 17.1 ppg and 13.6 rpg in 2005-06; 3-time all-conference in high school, conference MVP and all-state honorable-mention in 2003-04.
Jon Cassens (G, SO, 6-1, Prior Lake, Minn.), Averaged 13.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg with 118 assists (4.7 apg) in 2006-07; All-MIAC honorable-mention and All-MIAC First-Year Team in 2006-07; Minnesota Mr. Basketball All-State Senior Team in 2005-06; all-state honorable mention in 2005-06; all-conference and honorable-mention all-conference; team MVP in 2005-06; also two-year member of Minnesota Select AAU team.
Justin Kozlowski (G, SR, 5-7, Wausau, Wis./Wausau Newman HS), averaged 5.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg in 2006-07; career totals (73 games, 33 starts) of 8.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.1 apg (151 assists), 45 steals, 106 3FG.
Mitch Dice (F, SR, 6-6, Savage, Minn./Bloomington Lutheran HS), averaged 6.7 ppg and 4.0 rpg in 2006-07; transfer from Crown College; All-UMAC honorable-mention in 2005-06; averaged 11.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Crown in 2005-06; NCCAA all-region first team; all-conference and team MVP in high school.
Darren Nelson (F, JR, 6-5, Richfield, Minn.), averaged 7.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 2006-07; career averages (45 games, 6 starts) of 6.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg.
David Olson (G, JR, 6-1, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS), averaged 5.1 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 18 games in 2006-07; transfer from Minnesota State Moorhead; redshirted 2005-06 season; two-time all-conference in high school, all-state honorable-mention in 2004-05; set Chisago Lakes school record with 1,498 career points; led Minnesota Class 3A in 2004-05 with 26.4 ppg average.

Key Newcomers
Aaron Van Der Stoep (G, FY, 6-3, Ellsworth, Minn.), 2-time all-conference, second-team all-state in 2006-07, two-time all-state tournament team, member of Class A state runner-up team in 2005-06 and state champions in 2006-07; set state records for most 3FG in season (169), career (360), state tournament (21) and single state tournament game (10).
Matt Quammen (G, FY, 6-4, Victoria, Minn./Holy Family Catholic HS), all-state honorable-mention and all-conference in 2006-07; team captain and team MVP of Class AA state champions in 2006-07; averaged 18.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.1 spg, 38 percent 3FG and 52 percent FG in 2006-07.
Nate Alm (F, JR, 6-6, Eden Prairie, Minn.), transfer from Minneapolis CTC; MCCC All-Conference and All-South Division in 2006-07; averaged 13.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 2.4 apg in 2006-07; 3-time all-conference in high school (2002-03 and 2003-04 at West Lutheran HS, 2004-05 at Eden Prairie HS).
Nate Daniels (G, SO, 6-1, Bemidji, Minn.), transfer from North Dakota (did not play basketball); all-state honorable-mention and two-time team MVP at Bemidji HS.
Chris Miller (G, FY, 6-3, Hopkins, Minn./Trinity-River Ridge HS), two-time all-conference, team MVP in 2006-07, also all-state and all-conference in track.
Tony Doran (G, FY, 5-11, Richfield, Minn./Trinity-River Ridge HS), two-time all-conference, two-time captain at Trinity-River Ridge, also all-state and all-conference in track.

Key Losses
Dan Graf (F), averaged 8.7 ppg and 5.1 rpg in 2006-07; All-MIAC honorable-mention in 2005-06; career totals (85 games, 57 starts) of 9.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 123 steals, 143 assists, 62 3FG.
Chuck Scott (G), averaged 8.3 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 2006-07; career totals (76 games, 36 starts) of 6.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 100 assists, 49 steals, 87 3FG.
Zach Krumwiede (F), averaged 8.0 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 2006-07; honorable-mention all-state in 2005-06; played in 2006 state high school all-star game; four-time all-conference and three-time all-area at Martin County West.

Season Outlook and Notes:

MINNEAPOLIS -- For the Augsburg College men's basketball team, progress has come in a series of steps.

In head coach Aaron Griess' first season with the Auggies in 2005-06, progress came in the form of discipline, while learning the ropes of a new program. Last season, the Auggies made a significant move up the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference ladder. Statistically, the Auggies finished in the upper half of the conference rankings in nearly every offensive category, won their last two games of the year and finished just two victories away from earning a spot in conference postseason play.

This season, the next step appears to be clear -- finish among the top six teams in the MIAC and earn a berth in the conference postseason playoffs for the first time since the 2000-01 season. And with a deep lineup and impressive recruiting and transfer class, Griess believes that this is the next step en route to the goal of winning the MIAC championship.

"I like where our program is at right now," Griess said. "We've been laying the foundation to set us up for the long haul. With each day of practice, our guys are learning what it takes to be successful. It's the little things that win championships, and we're getting better at them all the time. We expect to take another step forward this season in the race for the MIAC title."

Augsburg returns 10 letterwinners and three starters from last season's 10-15 overall, 7-13 conference finish, the first double-digit victory campaign for the Auggies since finishing 11-14 in the 2002-03 season.

Significant depth in backcourt
In the backcourt, Augsburg will return several players who saw plenty of action last year, while welcoming newcomers who have promise as both playmakers and outside-shooting threats.

Point guard Jon Cassens (SO, Prior Lake, Minn.) started all 25 games last season while playing 35.4 minutes per-game, the second-most minutes played among MIAC players. He led the team with a 13.8 points-per-game average, to go along with 118 assists, finishing second among MIAC players in the assist per-game category (4.72). He also connected on a team-high 55 three-pointers (fifth-most among MIAC players), hitting an MIAC-best 48.2 percent from beyond the arc. Cassens earned both All-MIAC honorable-mention and All-MIAC First-Year Team honors, cementing his reputation as one of the best young players in the league.

"Jon had a fantastic freshman campaign and I'm expecting him to continue his progress upward," Griess said. "He is a great leader on and off the floor, and I think it speaks volumes about Jon's character and work ethic that he was elected one of our team captains as a sophomore."

Due to a preseason wrist injury, Justin Kozlowski (SR, Wausau, Wis./Wausau Newman HS) had a slow start to his junior campaign last season. Averaging 18.3 minutes per-game last season, he compiled a 5.8 points per-game average while contributing 47 assists and 27 three-pointers.

"Justin has been a fantastic leader for our program," Griess said. "He is playing with a lot of confidence, and has the ability and understanding to play both guard positions for us this year. I'm looking for a big year from Justin as he closes out his career this season."

Transfer David Olson (JR, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS) had a strong debut season for the Auggies, averaging 5.1 points in his 18 games. Matt Beal (JR, Belle Plaine, Minn.) and Jonathan Gholson (SR, Gary, Ind./William A. Wirt HS) also return to the Auggie backcourt.

An impressive group of newcomers will also add to the depth in the backcourt. Key among them is Aaron Van Der Stoep (FY, Ellsworth, Minn.), who caught the attention of the Minnesota basketball community in March, when he connected on a state tournament-record 21 three-pointers, including a single-game record 10 in the championship game, as his Ellsworth squad won the Class A state title. Van Der Stoep also set state marks for three-pointers in a season (169) and career (360).

"First and foremost, Aaron is an outstanding person, which is a characteristic we're looking for in our program," Griess said. "He is a natural leader and a great fit for our system. On top of that, he has the tools to be one of the best shooters in our league. As his game progresses and he becomes more comfortable, I'm expecting great things out of Aaron."

Matt Quammen (FY, Victoria, Minn./Holy Family Catholic HS), who averaged 18.8 points per-game in leading Holy Family Catholic to the Class AA state title in 2007, also joins the Auggie backcourt. He earned AP All-State honorable-mention honors last season.

"I really like Matt's fearless attitude and his versatility," Griess said. "He has shown flashes of brilliance in early practices so far this year, with his ability to shoot the basketball. It's all about consistency and progress for Matt. He has the potential to be an outstanding player for us."

Nate Daniels (SO, Bemidji, Minn.) was an all-state honorable-mention selection at Bemidji in 2005-06, and Tony Doran (FY, Richfield, Minn./Trinity-River Ridge HS) and Chris Miller (FY, Hopkins, Minn./Trinity-River Ridge HS) were both two-time all-conference selections at Trinity-River Ridge HS. Carlius Hodges (FY, Minneapolis, Minn./North HS) was an all-conference player at Minneapolis North HS.

Solid frontcourt
In the frontcourt, the Auggies will be led by Femi Solaja (SR, Cottage Grove, Minn./St. Paul Harding HS), who earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors last season after posting averages of 11.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per-game in his first season with the Auggies after transferring from Minnesota State Community and Technical College-Fergus Falls. His rebound total was fifth-best among MIAC players (overall statistics) last season, while finishing third in field-goal percentage (56.2 percent).

"Femi's game is all about confidence. If he has it, he is virtually unstoppable," Griess said. "He understands how to use his body to gain position, and he has a great touch around the basket. He finished last year with a 27-point, 23-rebound effort in our win against one of the top teams in the league. I'm looking for him to pick up where he left off and continue to improve over the course of his senior year."

Mitch Dice (SR, Savage, Minn./Bloomington Lutheran HS) also shined in his first season with the Auggies, as the Crown College transfer averaged 6.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per-game, while also hitting 26 three-pointers.

"Mitch gives us a perimeter threat from the power forward position," Griess said. "He has the ability to defend bigger players while taking advantage of his ability to shoot the basketball."

Darren Nelson (JR, Richfield, Minn.) came off the bench last season to average 7.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per-game, and his contributions will again be key in the Auggie frontcourt.

"In the three years I've coached Darren, his understanding of the game has increased exponentially," Griess said. "Physically, he is the strongest player on our team, and he possesses tremendous tools for the game of basketball, with his athleticism and length. This is going to be a breakout year for Darren."

Brian Jungwirth (JR, Bloomington, Minn./Bloomington Lutheran HS), Joshua Harris (SR, Chicago, Ill./Hillcrest HS) and Derek Francis (JR, Blaine, Minn./Champlin Park HS) also return to the forward and center positions. Two newcomers also enter the Auggie frontcourt. Benjamin Antoniewicz (So., Madison, Wis./Madison Memorial HS) was a member of a Wisconsin state championship team at Madison Memorial HS. Nate Alm (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) was an all-conference and all-division selection at Minneapolis Community and Technical College last season, after averaging 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per-game.

"Adding Nate was a huge addition for our program," Griess said. "His athleticism and skill level are above average, and he has a great understanding of the game. He has a motor that never stops. I love the effort and energy Nate puts on the floor when he comes into the gym. I'm excited to add a player of Nate's caliber to our program for the next two years."

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Augsburg College, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.

This is the official web site for Augsburg College athletics.
All comments or questions regarding this web site should be directed to Sports Information Coordinator Don Stoner -- E-mail: stoner@augsburg.edu Phone: (612) 330-1677.