SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Over the last four years, Augustana men's basketball has won nearly 80% of their games, going 105-28 and hoisting multiple NSIC titles one DII National Championship. Now, with every player from those rosters departed, it's time for a new era of Viking Basketball and Augustana is ready to turn heads. On Thursday, the new look Vikings will hit the court for the first time, welcoming in NCAA DIII foe Loras (IA) College for an exhibition game. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Elmen Center, and the game is free to the public.
 
With 10 of 16 student-athletes on the men's roster having never played together before, Augustana head coach Tom Billeter knows his team is young. However, the 16th-year head coach also believes it's a great time to be a Viking. "We are going to be an exciting group to watch," Billeter said, "we will be young and fun and the future is definitely promising."
 
After finishing last year 16-14 (10-12 NSIC), the Vikings received 127 points and were picked to finished seventh overall in the NSIC preseason poll. Two players to watch for this season are 6'4 sophomore guard Matt Cartwright and 6'7 junior forward Adam Dykman. The duo has the most experience on the team and is looking to be leaders this year on the court. Cartwright came off the bench as the sixth man in all thirty games and averaged 7.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Dykman started in all thirty games and averaged 11 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
 
Another player to keep an eye on is Levi Jansen. Jansen, the younger brother of Augustana's all-time leading scorer Dan Jansen, is a 6'2 redshirt-sophomore guard who is coming off an injury that kept him out for the majority of his first two years. He'll hope to remain healthy and make an immediate impact.
 
The Vikings have an exciting and challenging schedule ahead of them, which starts on Thursday's exhibition with Loras. The Duhawks return all five starters from a 19-7 team last year, and coach Billeter knows it will be a challenge. "We wanted to schedule a team who would come in here and really give us fits and we found that in Loras," Billeter said, "They return their seven top scorers and will absolutely come in here ready to go!"
 
Augustana will officially open up the 2018-2019 season on Nov. 9th as they head to Lancaster, Texas to participate in the NSIC/GAC challenge against Southern Arkansas and Henderson State (Ark.). Additionally, Augustana will be competing in the first annual East vs. West challenge at the Sanford Pentagon. The Vikings will face RMAC opponents Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Tickets for all home game are available by visiting Goaugie.com/tickets.