MBB Preview: Blue Devils to host Bethany Lutheran Tuesday

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (1-2, 0-0 WIAC) will host Bethany Lutheran College (0-3, 0-0 UMAC), Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the women's program.

EDDIE ANDRIST INTERVIEWS: Throughout the season, Pete Knutson of Sports Radio 1400 AM will speak with men's basketball head coach Eddie Andrist. Listed are each of the interviews throughout the season. 

WEBCASTS: All UW-Stout home games will be available in a live video stream by Blue Devil Video, with Sam Ripp on the call. WMEQ 880 Radio, with Pete Knutson, Jay Fahl or Jake Bostrom, will broadcast and provide a live audio stream of away conference games and a select number of home games. Stout will provide Live Stats for all home games. Check the Blue Devil Webcast page or the schedule page to see broadcasts and Live Stats available when Stout is on the road.

CAREER STATS: Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page to check out the UW-Stout career high for points, rebounds, and assists of each Blue Devil player.

A LOOK AT THE BLUE DEVILS: After three games, Isaac Elliott leads the Blue Devils with an 11.0 points per game average. Elliott led Stout in scoring in both games and was named to the all-tournament team at the Wartburg Tournament. John Keefe is averaging 8.7 points and John Lahti 6.7 points. While the Blue Devils are outrebounding their opponents 37.3-28.3, they are doing it by committee. Lahti and Jacob Nordstrom are both averaging 4.3 boards and Keegan Dickson and Colton Williams are averaging 3.7 caroms. Keefe is the team's assists leader, dishing out 5.7 per contest.

A QUICK BLUE DEVILS PREVIEW: UW-Stout returns eight of its top-10 scorers from last year, including junior guard Brett Ahsenmacher who was second on the team with 8.9 points per contest. The roster includes two seniors, seven juniors, seven sophomores and 10 freshmen - of the newcomers, four are transfers. Due to injuries last season, the Blue Devils had only three players that participated in all 25 games, and utilized 12 different starting lineups. UW-Stout will play just four of its first 10 games at Johnson Fieldhouse. The Blue Devils will look to shake off a 3-22 season.

Until Hank and Reggie Kujak join the squad at the conclusion of the football season, junior guard Brett Ahsenmacher brings the most experience to the Blue Devils. Ahsenmacher has played in 50-of-52 games over his career, and started 22 of the 24 games he played in last year. Ahsenmacher averaged 8.9 points last season and scored a career-best 22 points against John Carroll University last season. Ahsenmacher was second on the team in assists and led the team in in 3-pointers made.

Jalen Patterson showed flashes last season, finishing the year averaging 6.8 points. Patterson's 13 blocked shots averaged 0.62 per contest and ranked sixth in the WIAC...guard John Keefe exploded for 30 points early in the season against Bethany Lutheran and finished the season averaging 6.5 points. John Lahti saw considerable time in the paint, starting 14 games during his freshman season. Lahti, Sam Ortmann and Isaac Elliott are the only three players last season to have seen action in all 25 games. Stout last season lost seven conference games by seven points or less. 

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT: Fourteen different players scored as UW-Stout walked away with an 88-51 win over Emmaus Bible College at the Buzz Levick Tournament hosted by Wartburg College Saturday. The Blue Devils ran out a to 42-19 halftime lead while shooting 50 percent from the floor (17-34) and from 3-point range (5-10) in the first half. The Blue Devils only improved in the second half on their way to their first win of the season, hitting 61.3 percent from the field (19-31) and 60 percent from 3-point range (6-10) in the second half. For the second consecutive game, Isaac Elliott led Stout in scoring, this time hitting 13 points. Elliott hit 4-of-4 from 3-point range, going 2-for-2 in each half. John Keefe  matched Elliott with 13 points, going 5-of-9 from the field, hitting one 3-pointer. Elliott was named to the all-tournament team.


SCOUTING BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE: Bethany men's basketball team, under the direction of third year head coach Greg Holzhueter, returns 10 players from last year's squad in hopes to make a stand in the top half of the league standings and make an appearance in the UMAC Postseason Tournament. Nick Sanborn will provide the Vikings with veteran leadership as he enters his senior season. The forward averaged 10.7 points and four rebounds per game last season to earn UMAC Honorable Mention recognition. Sophomore Neil Eichten earned UMAC Honorable Mention recognition a year ago for the Vikings, while sophomore teammate Brady Rose was named to the UMAC All-Defensive team. 

VIKINGS LAST TIME OUT:  Bethany lost to sharp shooting Central College, 88-65. The Vikings had two players, Neil Eichten and Brandyn Frelix, reach double figures with 11 and 10 points apiece. Nate Chadderdon collected 10 rebounds and finishing with eight points. Other Vikings who contributed to the offense was Bradley Rose and Nick Sanborn, each recording nine points.  For Central, Colby Taylor led the way offensively with 25 points, connecting on a couple three-pointers down the stretch to help his team stay undefeated. Central connected on 13 3-pointers. 

LAST TIME STOUT AND BETHANY MET: John Keefe scored a career-high 30 points last year as the Blue Devils defeated the Vikings in Mankato, Minn., 90-80. Jarvis Ragland finished with 25 points and John Lahti added 10 points. Stout holds a 2-1 lead in the series.

STOUT AND BETHANY CONNECTION: Bethany Lutheran is the college former UW-Stout coach Dwain Mintz was at before accepting the UW-Stout men's basketball position in 1962. Mintz, a member of six different halls of fame, including UW-Stout, Bethany Lutheran, and the WIAC, coached the men's basketball program for 27 years compiling a 385-280 record. Mintz compiled a 166-81 record at Bethany, which was then a two-year school.


AWARDS AND HONORS: Isaac Elliott was named to the Buzz Levick all tournament team at Wartburg College, Nov. 21...(last season) Brett Ahsenmacher was selected as the UW-Stout Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week, Jan. 5, after his performance at the St. Norbert Tournament...Brett Ahsenmacher was selected to the all-tournament team at the Nicolet National Bank Holiday Tournament hosted by St. Norbert College, Dec. 29-30...Jarvis Ragland was selected as the UW-Stout Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week, Dec. 1 and as the WIAC Athlete of the Week Dec. 2 after averaging 22.5 points during the UW-Stout Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout.

TEAM CAPTAINS: Blue Devil team captain for the 2015-16 season is Brett Ahsenmacher.

VARSITY RESERVE: The Blue Devils have a number of varsity reserve games on their schedule. Stout defeated UW-Barron County, 92-74, Nov. 17. The Blue Devils will take on UW-Superior (Dec. 1), St. Mary's (Dec. 3, Jan. 28), and UW-Eau Claire (Jan. 13, Jan. 30).

THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Eddie Andrist (187-201 at Stout, 437-392 overall) is in his 15th year as the coach of the Blue Devils, and his 26th overall in the collegiate ranks. Andrist led the Blue Devils to their first NCAA Division III appearance five seasons ago when Stout advanced to the second round. Andrist coached at Mount Senario for 11 seasons and won three national championships. Andrist spent two stints coaching international basketball, working with the country of Qatar.  Bethany Lutheran: Greg Holzhueter begins his third season as head coach of the Bethany Lutheran men's basketball program in 2015-16. Prior to becoming head coach, Holzhueter was on the Vikings staff for two seasons as the lead assistant and recruiting coordinator. Bethany reached the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) championship game in each of those years which included the program's first regular season UMAC title in 2011-12.

CONFERENCES: Stout is a member of the nine team Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) along with UW-La Crosse, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, UW-Whitewater and UW-River Falls. Superior left the conference after the 2014-15 season.

UP NEXT: The Blue Devils will be at UW-Superior, Tuesday, Dec. 1 for a non-conference game now that the Yellowjackets have left the WIAC and will host Buena Vista University, Saturday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m.

UW-Stout 2015-16 Individual Season Highs (Updated November 21, 2015)

Points: 14, Isaac Elliott vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
3-Pointers Made: 4, Isaac Elliott vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 7, Jacob Nordstrom vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: 7, John Keefe vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Steals: 3, John Keefe vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015

UW-Stout 2015-16 Team Season Highs (Updated November 21, 2015)

Points: 88 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Field Goals Made: 33 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Field Goal Percentage: .554 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
3-Pointers Made: 11 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Free Throws Made: 12 vs. Monmouth College, Nov. 20, 2015
Free Throw Percentage: ..550 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 45 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: 23 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Steals: 9 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Double-Doubles:   (2014-15 season) Jarvis Ragland (4x), 25 points, 15 rebounds vs, Bethany Lutheran, Dec. 3, 2014; 18 points, 10 rebounds vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 10, 2015; 21 points, 11 rebounds vs. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 14, 2015; 21 points, 10 rebounds vs. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 31, 2015.


UW-Stout Career Bests (updated November 21, 2015)

Jacob Nordstrom - #3
Points: 6 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 7 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: 1 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

Solon Ellis - #4
Points: x
Rebounds: 1 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: x

Jerry Butler - #5
Points: 1 vs. Monmouth College, Nov. 20, 2015
Rebounds: 3 vs. Monmouth, Nov. 20, 2015
Assists: 1 vs.Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

Caleub Watkins - #10
Points: 3 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 2 vs. UM-Crookston, Nov. 14, 2015
Assists: x

John Keefe - #11
Points: 30 vs. Bethany Lutheran, Dec. 3, 2014
Rebounds: 6 vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014
Assists: 7 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

Zach Dahl - #12
Points: x
Rebounds: 2 vs. Monmouth College, Nov. 20, 2015
Assists: x

Brett Ahsenmacher - #13
Points: 22 vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014
Rebounds: 5 vs. UW-Eau Claire, Jan. 7, 2015
Assists: 4 vs. UW-Whitewater, Feb. 21, 2015

Isaac Elliott - #14
Points: 14 (2x) vs. Monmouth College, Nov. 20, 2015; vs. UW-River Falls, Jan. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 5 (2x) vs. Monmouth College, Nov. 20, 2015; vs. UW-Platteville, Jan. 24, 2015
Assists: 2 vs. Northwestern, Dec. 20, 2014.

Jalen Patterson - #15
Points: 17 vs. UW-Superior, Jan. 17, 2015
Rebounds: 6 vs. UW-La Crosse, Feb. 4, 2015
Assists: 3 (2x) vs. UW-Eau Claire, Jan. 28, 2015; vs. Ripon College, Nov. 15, 2014

Justin Thomas - #21
Points: 8 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 4 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: x

Brandyn Christman - #23
Points: 7 vs.Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 2 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: 1 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

Cory Speer - #23
Points: 5 vs. Ripon College, Nov. 15, 2014
Rebounds: 4 vs. UM-Crookston, Nov. 15, 2015
Assists: 5 vs. Viterbo University, Nov. 19, 2014:

Sam Ortmann - #24
Points: 10 (2x) vs. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 31, 2015; vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014
Rebounds: 5 (3x) vs. UW-Eau Claire, Jan. 28, 2015; vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014; vs. Viterbo University, Nov. 19, 2014:
Assists: 6 vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014

Colton Williams - #31
Points: 6 vs. Cardinal Stritch, Nov. 30, 2014
Rebounds: 5 vs. Monmouth College, Nov. 20, 2015
Assists: 3 vs. Wartburg College, Nov. 29, 2014

Luke Murphy - #32
Points: 6 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 2 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: 1 (2x) vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015; vs. UM-Crookston, Nov. 14, 2015

Hank Kujak - #33
Points: 17 vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 10, 2015
Rebounds: 9 vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014
Assists: 7 vs. Wartburg College, Nov. 29, 2014

Keegan Dickson - #34
Points: 7 vs. UM-Crookston, Nov. 14, 2015
Rebounds: 6 vs. UM-Crookston, Nov. 14, 2015
Assists: 2 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

Reggie Kujak - #35
Points: 11 vs. St. Scholastica, Dec. 30, 2014
Rebounds: 10 vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014
Assists: 2 vs. UW-Stevens Point, Dec. 10, 2014

John Lahti - #42
Points: 13 vs. UW-River Falls, Feb. 11, 2015
Rebounds: 6 (2x) vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015; vs. Cardinal Stritch, Nov. 30, 2014
Assists: 2 (2x) vs. UW-Whitewater, Feb. 21, 2015; vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014

Mason Elsen - #44
Points: 2 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 2 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: x

Joe Haas - #45
Points: 2 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 1 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: x


The Last Time...(updated November 21, 2015)

A Stout Individual...
Scored 30 points: 30, John Keefe vs. Bethany Lutheran, (12/3/14)
Scored 25-29 points: 26, Jarvis Ragland vs. Northwestern, (12/20/14)
Recorded 15 rebounds: 15, Jarvis Ragland vs. Bethany Lutheran, (12/3/14)
Recorded 10 assists: 11, Erik Olson vs. UW-Stevens Point (2/13/13)
Recorded 6 steals: 8, by Jerrel Enerson-Matthews vs. Bethany Lutheran (11/21/08)

A Stout Team...
Had five players score in double digits:vs. Wartburg College, Nov. 29, 2014 - Jarvis Ragland (24), Isaac Elliott (11), John Keefe (10), Brett Ahsenmacher (10), John Lahti (10)
Had four players score in double digits: vs. UW-River Falls, Feb. 11, 2015 - Jalen Patterson (15), John Lahti (13), Jarvis Ragland (10), John Keefe (10)
Scored 105 points: 109, vs. Crown College (2/15/11)
Scored 100-104 points: 102 vs. Silver Lake College (2/17/2010)
Recorded 60 rebounds: 64, vs. Concordia-Texas (12/11/2011)
Recorded 55-59 rebounds: 56 vs. Northland College (11/24/12)
Recorded 25 assists: 25, vs. Silver Lake College (2/17/2010)
Won 10 or more games in a row: 10, 2005-06 season
Lost 5 or more games in a row: 14, 2014-15 season
Was held to 40 or fewer points in game: 40, vs. Plattsburgh State (12/30/13)

UW-Stout Individual Game Records
Most Points: 43, Chris Korba vs. UW-Oshkosh, 1991
Most Field Goals Attempted: 32, Bill Heideman vs. UW-River Falls, 1967-68
Most Field Goals Made: 17, Bill Heideman vs. UW-River Falls, 1967-68
Most 3-Point Field Goals Attempted: 14, Eric Hostetter vs.Crown College, 2010-11; Jeff Vandenberghe vs. Elmhurst, 12/13/03
Most 3-Point Field Goals Made: 9/14, Jeff Vandenberghe vs. Elmhurst, 12/13/03; 9/12, Jerrod Buchholtz vs. UW-River Falls 1/5/11
Consecutive Field Goals Made: 13, Craig Summers vs. E. Montana,1981-82
Best Field Goal Percentage: 100%, Tuwan Clayton (8/8) vs. Northwestern, 12/1/94; Jimmy Whitehead (8/8) at UW-Eau Claire, 1/25/14; Aaron Jenny (5/5) vs. Northland, 11/24/12; Josh Kosloske (5/5) at Luther College, 11/25/13; Brandon White Blackmon (5/5) vs. UW-La Crosse, 1/12/08
Most Free Throws Attempted: 22, Cal Glover vs. UW-Stevens Point, 1970-71
Most Free Throws Made: 16, Cal Glover vs. UW-Stevens Point, 1970-71; Troy Hamilton vs. Mt. Senario, 1989-90; Keith Moessner vs. UW-La Crosse, 1957-58
Consecutive Free Throws Made: 16, Cal Glover vs. UW-Superior, 1970-71
Best Free Throw Percentage: 100%, 16-16, Cal Glover vs. UW-Superior, 1970-71; 12-12, Duke Severson vs. Augsburg, 1959-60; 11-11, Nate Templer vs. La Crosse, 2/12/03; 8-8, Erik Olson vs. UW-Superior, 1/30/13
Most Rebounds: 38, Mel Coleman vs. UW-Whitewater, 1967-68
Most Assists: 14, Brian Ellingson vs. Northland, 1986-87
Most Steals: 8, Jerrel Enerson-Matthews vs. Bethany Lutheran 11/21/08
Most Blocked Shots: 9, Jacob Nonemacher vs. UW-Whitewater, 1/27/07