Vikings to shoot for first in NCC
Three-game winning streak preps Augustana for conference play

By Luke Tatge

Mirror Editor
January 25, 2008

On the heels of a three-game winning streak, the Augustana Vikings men’s basketball team is prepping its man-to-man defense for a game against the Minnesota State University – Mankato (MSU) Mavericks that could potentially place them at first in the North Central Conference (NCC).

“We’re looking forward to the game,” junior point guard Marques Blank said. “We’re excited about the opportunity we’ve put ourselves into.”

On Thursday, Jan. 17, the Vikings took on the University of Minnesota – Duluth (UMD) Bulldogs, winning the game 63-53. Junior forward Eric Krogman excelled, scoring 16 of 18 in the second half and shooting 5 for 5 from the field and 3 for 3 at the three-point range.

The Vikings followed that game with another successful match-up versus the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) Huskies on Saturday, Jan. 19. Augustana upset No-19-ranked St. Cloud 75-63.

Blank led the team in scoring with 15 points, followed by senior center Tom VerDouw with 13 points. The team was 23 of 27 in free throw shooting and they held SCSU to 2 of 26 at the three-point line. The Vikings’ current record is 15-4 overall and 3-1 in the NCC.

“Defense definitely wins games,” sophomore point guard David Foster said. “We’ve learned that in recent games. We have to carry that over to Saturday.”

Foster achieved his first career double at the Jan. 12 game against the University of South Dakota (USD) Coyotes, earning 16 points and 10 rebounds.

In the same game senior point guard Corey McIntosh reached a career high scoring 37 points and repeating as NCC player of the week.

“The fact that we don’t have to depend on one person really helps us out,” sophomore point guard Jordan Dalton said. “If one guy’s having a down night, any guy can get off the bench and help him out.”

Sophomore point guard Elliot Thomas said that the team’s recent practices have focused on intense defense.

“[The Mavericks] are a really good team, but we think we can play with them and beat them,” Thomas said. “It should be a good environment too. It’s our first conference game at the Elmen [Center] in a year.”

Thomas said that a bit of rivalry exists between the Vikings and the Mavericks, having played two games together last season. Both games came within five points, with the Vikings losing on both occasions.

“We had all of our conference games at the [Sioux Falls Arena] last year,” Thomas said. “In the past we’ve always had really good games against Mankato.”
Since viewing film of the Mavericks, Blank thinks the focus should be on defense.

“We expect them to be really aggressive,” Blank said. “They like to make it an up-and-down game.”

Dalton agrees that the focus should be on the defensive side of the game.

“Defense and rebounds are going to win us the game,” Dalton said. “We’ve been pretty inconsistent with those. There’s a lot of room for improvement.”

Foster said the coaches have been running some more intense practices to prepare the team for the Mavericks’ tendency of moving the ball quickly.

“The coach has been trying to get us ready for the intensity of the other team,” Foster said.

The players recognize the pressure that is on them to perform on Saturday. Finally playing at the Elmen Center, Foster thinks the turnout will be immense.

“It’s a big game for Augie,” Foster said. “We’re definitely going to have to put out the effort.”

The Vikings play the Mavericks on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m., at the Elmen Center.