APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University men’s basketball fans are getting a look at the future of the Vikings right now.
With just three seniors, two are starters Ryan DePouw and Andrew Borresen, the Vikings have a number of younger players seeing significant action. No one is making a greater impact off the bench than sophomore forward Mitch Willer and freshman guard Jeremy Stephani.
“I think Jeremy and Mitch really play well together, and that’s something we’re excited about for the future,” Lawrence coach Joel DePagter said.
Willer, the biggest player on the squad at 6-foot-7, is at 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and nearly a block per game while averaging 11.9 minutes per contest. The former Sussex Hamilton High School star has seen his role grow over the past two weeks, averaging 10.8 points while shooting 82.6 percent from the floor (19-23) over the last four games.
“We have to figure out how to use Mitch now that he’s comfortable and playing better,” said DePagter, adding that Willer gives the Vikings the dimension of playing above the rim, both offensively and defensively.
“My job is to figure out how to use him best. We have to have a presence inside to be able to compete at a high level. Maybe most importantly, guys are starting to have faith in him. Once the teammates trust that you can do it, you become a real threat because they are looking for you.”
With eight seniors on the 2013-14 squad, Willer knew his role was to work hard in practice, watch and learn. He seems to have studied pretty well for this season’s breakout.
“This role has changed even more throughout the year as we have been trying out new lineups, and we’ve gotten more comfortable with these lineups,” Willer said. ” So I’ve gradually grown into an even bigger role than I had early in the year. I’m happy with how this role has changed, and I’m looking forward to the future has this role continues to expand even more.”
DePagter added that when the ball started going through the hoop for Willer, there was an immediate change.
“Once he finally made a couple of shots, the light bulb went off a little bit,” DePagter said. “He realized he didn’t have to back away, that he can go up and finish and challenge shots.”
Willer has shown quick feet, good hands and the ability to finish strong. He threw down a big dunk in Tuesday’s game with Lake Forest.
“I have become a lot more comfortable going to the basket, and I’ve been making much more of my shots recently,” Willer said. “As I’ve gotten more confident over the season, I’ve realized that there aren’t too many guys in our league that can block my shot so I have been able to finish much stronger at the rim.”
A native of Arlington Heights, Ill., Stephani is averaging 9.4 points per game in 22.9 minutes of action while shooting 42.9 percent from the floor and 43.4 percent from 3-point range.
“He doesn’t have that lack of confidence or that nervousness that most freshmen have,” DePagter said of Stephani. “When I first saw him on the AAU circuit, I was very excited about him. I saw him play against big-time players in AAU and he never backed down. He just goes out there and competes.”
Stephani has played key minutes for the Vikings since day one, and he believes his frame of mind has led to his role.
“I would definitely say it’s a confidence thing. One thing about how I’ve always played is I’ve been composed,” Stephani said. “I knew that just doing what I do and staying confident would lead to good things for me.”
Stephani scored a season-high 22 points at Grinnell in early January and is coming off back-to-back double-figure scoring games against Knox and Lake Forest. He is Lawrence’s leading scorer off the bench, and that’s where DePagter believes his role is, at least for now.
“Jeremy probably should be a starter for us, and he will be in the future, but he’s such a spark off the bench,” DePagter said. “There have been times this year where he’s been the best player on the floor for us and that is prety exciting. He’s an all-conference caliber player. If he can improve athletically and get in the weight room, he’s going to be a force for the next three seasons.”
Stephani said coming off the bench was new to him, but he has begun to revel in the role.
“I think I’ve been shooting the ball pretty well of late,” Stephani said. “There have been some times I’ve had rookie mistakes with turning the ball over, and I haven’t shot well from the line as I usually do. Overall, I would say I’ve been doing a pretty good job when I’ve gotten the opportunity.”
With Willer and Stephani comprising a formidable inside-outside combination, the Vikings also have sophomores Pete Winslow and Connor Weas adding to the youthful mix. Don’t forget that the Vikings also return starters Jamie Nikitas, Trace Sonnleitner and Troy Miller next season.
“We have played really well at times this year when we’ve had five guys on the floor who will be back next year so that is exciting,” DePagter said.