The Lawrence University men’s basketball team is a bit of a paradox.
“We’re young but experienced, which is kind of a contradiction,” Lawrence coach Joel DePagter said.
The Vikings have only two seniors, including standout and All-Midwest Conference guard Tyler Crisman, on the roster when they open the season Tuesday at No. 24 UW-Stevens Point. The team is dominated by a group of eight sophomores, and many of them will play key roles in the 2011-12 season.
“We’d be foolish to think we’re not going to miss Jon Mays and Erik Borresen, who were all-conference guys we lost to graduation,” DePagter said. “At the same time, we had such a big freshmen class last year. Those guys, as sophomores, usually take a big step and we expect them to take that step.”
The Vikings will start three sophomores, guards Chris Siebert and Brian Gryszkiewicz and forward David DeWolfe. Siebert started every game last season and averaged 10.9 points, a team-high 4.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is clearly poised to be among the league’s elite players.
“I’d be hard-pressed to name another freshman in our conference that was better than Chris Siebert,” DePagter said.
The steady Gryszkiewicz played in every game last season and averaged a modest 1.8 points and 1.8 points and 1.4 assists per game. Gryszkiewicz will be a great counterpoint to Crisman, who averaged 15.4 points per game last season and is one of the top 3-point shooters in the conference
“They are all a little different, which adds a little to everyone,” DePagter said. “Brian is just so tough. Crisman is easily one of the best shooters in the conference, and he’s so gritty. Plus, he just doesn’t think he’s going to miss. Siebert has Player of the Year type ability.”
The Vikings also return valuable backcourt backups in sophomores Tom Antosz and Max Burgess, who proved to be an effective 3-point shooter last season.
DeWolfe, who transferred from St. Norbert, brings needed size to the frontcourt. The 6-foot-7 DeWolfe joins returning starter and junior forward Conor Klusendorf, who averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds last season. Klusendorf also finished second in the league with 37 blocks.
Also in the mix in the frontcourt is another sophomore, Andrew Kline, who played in all but one game as a freshman. The Vikings also have senior Chris Sims, junior Scott Beauchamp and sophomores Chase Nelson and Adam Breseman.
“Andrew Kline has come back a different person physically. Way bigger, way stronger,” DePagter said. “He has taken a big step and he knew he had to.”
Lawrence also has an intriguing group of newcomers, several of whom could see action this season. Leading the group of guard Ryan DePouw, who led all prep scorers in Wisconsin last season. The Vikings also add more athleticism in junior Tyler Mazur, a football star for the Vikings playing his first year of basketball. Lawrence also gets more size in 6-5 freshman Shane Cullian and another Borresen, Andrew, the younger brother of Erik.
Lawrence was picked to finish eighth in the league in the preseason poll of MWC coaches. DePagter believes the Vikings will be one of a number of teams battling for a spot in the MWC Tournament.
“I have high expectations because we’re Lawrence and that’s what our expectations are,” DePagter said.
“It’s going to a close league from top to bottom. Teams are going to be beating each other all over the place. It’s going to come down to see who can stay healthy.”
Koula earns academic honor
Lawrence University women’s soccer standout Mallory Koula has been chosen for the Capital One Academic All-District 6 Team.
Koula, a senior forward, was a first-team selection.
Koula recently completed a stellar playing career with the Vikings. In three seasons at Lawrence, Koula scored a school-record 63 goals. She also broke the school’s career points record with 142. Koula also ranks sixth with 16 assists. Koula led the Vikings to the 2010 Midwest Conference Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Koula and the Vikings also qualified for the 2011 MWC Tournament.
Koula also is an All-MWC and Academic All-MWC selection. A biochemistry major, Koula has a 3.85 grade point average.
Editor’s Note: Inside LU Athletics is a weekly notes package written by Lawrence University Sports Information Director Joe Vanden Acker. It will feature teams and individual players, recap weekly awards or highlights and take a look at what’s ahead for the Vikings.