BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Augustana men's basketball senior Isaac Fink has been named the Vikings' Player to Watch as part of the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Thursday. As a team, the new-look Vikings were tabbed fourth in the NSIC South Division and sixth overall.
 
"Isaac earned second team All-NSIC honors last season," Augustana head coach Tom Billeter said. "He is an excellent leader both on and off the floor which is important as we are a very new group this year. He is an excellent perimeter shooter as well as a rugged rebounder for a wing."
 
Hailing from Springfield, Minnesota, Fink ranked second on the team in 2021-22 with 15 points per game and third with 5.5 rebounders per outing. He started all 30 games while playing a team-best 33.9 minutes. When meeting the NCAA minimum for 3-point field goal attempts, he led AU by making 44.4 percent of his long-range shots.
 
In calling Augustana a new-look team, Augustana returns six players from last year's NSIC Championship and regional finalist squad. Those six players accounted for 35.6 percent of Augustana's scoring last year led by Fink's 15.
 
Senior Bennett Otto averaged 15 minutes per game while sophomore Akoi Akoi accounted for 12.5 minutes per game. Other returners include graduate student Eric Tiedman and sophomores Alex Distras and Zac Johnson. The six student-athletes are joined by eight newcomers in 2022-23.
 
"I am excited having eight new players and all of the challenges that bring," Billeter added. "We have a very young but talented group of freshmen with two transfers mixed in, however, have a great deal of experience.
 
"I think the league will once again be as good as any in the country and we are looking forward to a great winter of college basketball."
 
Minnesota Duluth earned the nod as the overall preseason favorite while Wayne State earned the coaches' vote for the NSIC South Division.
 
The Vikings open 2022-23 at the Central Region Challenge in Kansas City, Missouri, against Arkansas at Monticello on Friday, Nov. 11. The following weekend, the East/West Challenge returns to Sioux Falls as the Sanford Pentagon hosts (not part of the Augustana season ticket package). The Vikings face South Dakota Mines on Friday, Nov. 18 and Black Hills State the following day.
 
The home opener for Augustana is Tuesday, Nov. 22 as the Vikings host Wayne State inside the Sanford Pentagon.
 
Season tickets for Augustana basketball are on sale now, starting at just $169 for all men's and women's home games this season. To purchase, contact Augustana Athletics at 605-274-5420.

Full Poll
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. MSU Moorhead
3. Wayne State
4. Northern State
5. Upper Iowa
6. Augustana
7. Minnesota State
8. Southwest Minnesota State
9. Sioux Falls
10. Winona State
11. Minot State
12. UMary
13. St. Cloud State
14. Concordia-St. Paul
15. Bemidji State
16. Minnesota Crookston

NSIC South Division Poll
1. Wayne State
2. Upper Iowa
3. Minnesota State
4. Augustana
5. Southwest Minnesota State
6. Sioux Falls
7. Winona State
8. Concordia-St. Paul