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This week: Augustana (1-0) battles cross-town rival the University of Sioux Falls (1-2) on Wednesday at the Sioux Falls Arena in the fourth annual Prairie Spirit Charitable Challenge. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.
The series: The series between Augustana and the University of Sioux Falls dates back to the 1921-22 season--the first year of basketball for the Vikings. Augustana is 25-26 against USF all-time (there are two meetings from 1927 that are not accounted for). As of late, the Vikings have been dominant in the series, winning 15 of the last 16 meetings between the two programs. Augustana is riding an eight-game winning streak in the series, dating back to the 1995-96 season. The last time the Cougars topped the Vikings was on Nov. 22, 1994, when they posted a 93-87 victory.
The Prairie Spirit Charitable Challenge: 2010 marks the fourth year for the Prairie Spirit Charitable Challenge, a contest that has annually featured Augustana and the University of Sioux Falls. All proceeds generated from the game will benefit “ Children's Home Society.” CHS provides a home, school and therapy for children with emotional and behavioral problems. The majority of children have a history of abuse and neglect. Foster care and adoption services are provided for children who are unable to return to their birth families. CHS also provides emergency shelter services and counseling for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.
Last time out:?Cameron McCaffrey scored a game-high 20 points to lead Augustana to a 75-65 win over Jamestown Saturday night in the Vikings' season opener in Sioux Falls. The Vikings also got 13 points from
Cody Schilling.
Derrick De Zeeuw was tops in the rebounding column for Augustana, grabbing six boards on the night. Augustana forced 27 Jimmie turnovers in the win.
From the line: The Vikings had a flawless performance at the free throw line in the first half of last Saturday's game against Jamestown. The Vikings were 10 of 10 from the charity stripe. Augustana ended up finishing 17 of 25.
Freshmen phenoms: A pair of true freshman played a handful of minutes for Augustana in last Saturday's game with Jamestown.
Yuriy Malashenko (Jordan, Minn.) played 13 minutes and scored seven points on 3 of 4 shooting from the field.
Trevor Hass (New London, Minn.) got 10 minutes of action and scored three points.
With a win: A victory on Wednesday would give Augustana its fifth 2-0 start to a season since 2000. The Vikings also ushered in the 2000-01, 2001-02, 2004-05 and 2009-10 campaigns with two wins.
The Sioux Falls Arena: Wednesday's venue is a facility that has a place in Viking history. The Sioux Falls Arena served as the home for Augustana basketball in the 1970s and 1980s. In 2006-07, the Viking men's and women's basketball teams played all of their North Central Conference games at the Sioux Falls Arena. It was the first time since 1989 that the Vikings played their entire NCC schedule at the Arena.
Possible breakthrough: The 2010-11 Vikings were billed as a “possible breakthrough” team in the Sporting News NCAA Division II Preseason Top-10 poll. Findlay (Ohio) took the No. 1 spot in the poll. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference-neighbor Winona State is ranked No. 9; the Warriors are the only NSIC team ahead of Augustana.
Cody country: Junior guard
Cody Schilling (Ellsworth, Minn.) is the only returning Viking to have started all 31 games a year ago. Named to the All-NSIC first team, he led Augustana in scoring (15.3) and rebounds (5.4). His play was key to the Vikings' 24-7 finish – a school record for wins – and a 15-5 conference mark good for third place. His efforts resulted in first-team selection to the NABC All-Central District team, as well as Division II Bulletin All-America honorable mention. Schilling was also tabbed preseason All-America by Sporting News and was cited as a “Player to Watch” in the 2010-11 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Mac attack: As a true freshman,
Cameron McCaffrey (Hillsboro, Ore.) started one game last year but appeared in 30. He averaged 12.9 points a game, registered 57 assists, and shot 43.5 percent from 3-point range. This year he is slated to step in at point guard for the graduated
Jordan Dalton. His season-long performance resulted in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Freshman of the Year laurels and a spot on the all-conference second team.
According to the coaches: Augustana was selected fourth in the 2010-11 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Vikings received 138 points from the conference's 14 head coaches. Winona State received 10 first-place votes and 165 points to take the No. 1 position. St. Cloud State was second (four first-place votes, 157 points), and Minnesota State was third (143 points).
1. Winona State (10) 165
2. St. Cloud State (4) 157
3. Minnesota State 143
4. Augustana 138
5. U-Mary 119
6. Southwest Minnesota State 98
7. Concordia-St. Paul 89
8. Northern State 84
9. Wayne State 71
10. Bemidji State 64
11. MSU Moorhead 51
12. Minnesota Duluth 42
13. Upper Iowa 40
14. Minnesota, Crookston 13
( ) First Place Votes
Roster breakdown: The Vikings return three starters and 10 letterwinners from last year's NCAA Tournament squad that set a school record for wins with 24. Augustana features eight guards and eight forwards on its 2010-11 roster. There are also two seniors, three juniors, five sophomores, one redshirt freshman and five freshmen.
Receiving votes: Augustana received two votes in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll released Nov. 3. The Vikings were one of four NSIC teams to be ranked or receive votes. Cal Poly Pamona received 198 points and six first-place votes to take the top spot. NSIC neighbors St. Cloud State and Winona State checked in at eighth and ninth, respectively. Minnesota State received eight points.
NCAA Tournament time: The Vikings advanced to the NCAA?Tournament for the third consecutive season in 2009-10 and also made it to the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. The Augustana men's basketball program has nine NCAA?Tournament appearances under its belt. As of late, the Vikings have been consistent enough to qualify for the “dance” three times every decade. Head coach
Tom Billeter has led the Vikings to three of those appearances in his eight-year tenure.
Exhibitions to open: Augustana used two exhibitions to tune up for the 2010-11 season, facing Division III Gustavus and Division I?Arizona.
Cody Schilling,
Cameron McCaffrey and
Trevor Hass combined for 64 points to lead Augustana to a 101-74 victory over GAC in its first exhibition on Nov. 1. Arizona shot 45.8 percent from the field to hand Augustana a 70-59 exhibition loss on Nov. 7 in front of nearly 12,000 fans in Tucson, Ariz. McCaffrey scored a game-high 20 points for the Vikings, hitting four 3-pointers and finishing 7 of 11 from the floor. Schilling was also in double figures with 12 points. The Wildcats got 19 points and a game-high six rebounds from Derrick Williams in the win.
Coaches' corner: Now in his eighth season at Augustana, Billeter has steadily solidified the men's program. His Vikings have made three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to the Central Region championship game in 2009 and 2010. Over the last three seasons Augustana has compiled a 67-26 record, and each of the last three campaigns have resulted in 20 wins or more. Billeter owns a career record of 207-145. He is assisted by Jeff Trumbauer,
Collin Authier and Luke Wiersma.
Vikings add one for 2011-12:? Head coach
Tom Billeter announced Nov. 9 that Appleton, Wis., native Ben Reker has signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Augustana beginning in 2011-12. Reker is a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward who is currently a senior at Appleton West High School. As a junior a year ago, Reker averaged 7.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He was named all-conference second team and guided his team to a 17-8 record. Reker also shot 56 percent from the field as a junior.
Follow live: There are several ways to get up-to-the-second updates from Augustana basketball games--both home and away. Jeff Fylling calls all the games live on KIKN-FM 100.5; that broadcast can also be picked up at www.kikn.com/stream. All of the Vikings' home games are video webcasted at www.GoAugie.com/webcast. Each conference road contest is also webcast by the host institution. A link for broadcasts on the road can be found on the “schedule” page on the men's basketball home page. Live statistics for all of Augustana's home games can be viewed by logging onto www.GoAugie.com/livestats. For live stats of each road game, check out www.GoAugie.com/livecentral or go the “schedule” page on the men's basketball home page.
The Augustana Coaches' Show: Live from the Gateway Lounge in Sioux Falls, The Augustana Coaches' Show airs each Monday at 5 p.m. Join Jeff Fylling and Augustana head coaches as they discuss various topics surrounding Viking athletics.
Stay connected: Follow Augustana all season long on its official online home, www.GoAugie.com. You can also get the latest news and updates on the Vikings on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GoAugie) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/GoAugie). To view video highlights and the latest episode of the Augustana Sportscene, log onto the Vikings' official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/GoAugie).
