MBB Preview: Blue Devils return to Johnson Fieldhouse to host Pioneers

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (4-8, 0-3 WIAC) will begin a two-game homestand when they host UW-Platteville (6-8, 0-3 WIAC), Saturday, Jan. 16, at 3 p.m. The Blue Devils lost at UW-Eau Claire, 72-58, Wednesday, while the Pioneers were tripped up by UW-Stevens Point, 60-57.

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: John Keefe last season as a freshman gave a glimpse that he could become a scoring threat when he scored a career-high 30 points in an early season match-up at Bethany Lutheran. After a slow scoring start to this season, Keefe has become the team's leading scorer, averaging 14.2 points to rank seventh in the WIAC. Nine times this season, Keefe has scored in double digits and has been the team's scoring leader in eight games. When Keefe isn't scoring, he is dishing and his 4.6 assists per contest leads the WIAC. The sophomore from Medford is second in the league in steals with 1.76 per outing. Jalen Patterson is averaging 9.1 points per game and Isaac Elliott is averaging 7.6 points. Patterson ranks eighth in the WIAC in steals (1.08). After suffering an injury in the first game of the season, team captain Brett Ahsenmacher returned to the Blue Devils' line-up for the two games in Las Vegas, and has been there ever since, averaging 7.3 points. The Blue Devils are outrebounding their opponents, 36.5-32.5, third in the league. John Lahti is averaging a team-best 5.5 rebounds, ranking ninth in the WIAC and is scoring 6.5 points. Stout is being outscored, 73.1-67.8. The Blue Devils have exceeded their wins total from last season.

A QUICK 2014-15 REVIEW: 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, four juniors, seven sophomores and seven freshmen. 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. Forward John Lahti, and guards Sam Ortmann and Isaac Elliott were the only three players last season to see action in all 25 games. Stout last season lost seven conference games by seven points or less.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT: UW-Stout had three players in double digits, but it wouldn't be enough as UW-Eau Claire held off the Blue Devils, 72-58, Wednesday at Zorn Arena. Stout did make a number of serious runs at the Blugolds, to pull to within seven points a couple of times in the second half. But Stout fell into some serious dry spells offensively. John Keefe led Stout with 17 points. Keefe led Stout with 17 points. Elliott added 11 and Brett Ahsenmacher 10, eight in the second half. Stout shot 38.9 percent (21-54) from the floor The Blue Devils connected on 7-of-17 3-pointers, with Keefe draining three.


SCOUTING UW-PLATTEVILLE: UW-Platteville embraces the return of three starters, including senior guard Boston Johnson, who had a team-high 75 assists and 47 steals a season ago, while adding 10.0 points per game. Gone from last year's squad are Jim Stocki and Jake Manning, who each tallied over 1,000 points in their career. UW-Platteville has finished at least .500 in the league in each of the last six seasons under head coach Jeff Gard, who recently reached 100 career victories. Boston Johnson leads the Pioneers in scoring with a 13.1 point average. Cory Vaasen is adding 12.3 and Matt Oestriech 10.6. Johnson is averaging 6.9 rebounds and Vaasen, 6.1. Johnson is averaging 2.69 assists, and is making 81.0 percent of his free throws on a team that leads the league in free throw percentage (.778). The Pioneers are averaging 69.6 points per game and giving up 73.3.

PIONEERS LAST TIME OUT: UW-Stevens Point hit a 3-pointer with only seconds remaining in the contest to defeat Platteville, 60-57, Wednesday. The contest was tight throughout the contest and Platteville led, 57-52 after Peyton River hit a 3-pointer with 1:37 remaining. But the Pointers tied the game with 26 seconds left, then stole the ball with 13 seconds remaining, setting up Stephen Pelkofer's game winning shot just before the buzzer. Cory Vaassen led the Pioneers with 18 points. Matt Oestriech finished with 10 points.

LAST TIME STOUT AND PLATTEVILLE MET: The Pioneers handily won the the first meeting between the two teams last season, 75-56 in Platteville, but the Pioneers left Johnson Fieldhouse three weeks later with a one point, 60-59 win. In the opener, Stout's Jarvis Ragland scored 23 point after missing the previous two games. Ragland was matched by the Pioneers' Jim Stocki, who also dropped in 23 points. Stocki had three teammates in double figures. In the rematch, the Pioneers' Jake Manning scored a bucket and a free throw with 11 seconds remaining to give the Pioneers the one-point win. Manning finished with a game-high 23 points.


SCOUTING UW-EAU CLAIRE: UW-Eau Claire brings back four of its top-five scorers from last season's squad that qualified for the WIAC tournament for the first time since 2009 and posted its first tournament victory since 2008. Senior guard Tyson Kalien led the conference with 80 three-point field goals made and was sixth with 14.7 points per game, while junior guard Jack Martinek contributed 8.2 points per contest and senior forward Jacob Kohner added 8.1 points per game. Senior guard Adam Hjelter is back after missing most of last season due to injury. He started all 25 games during the 2013-14 campaign, registering a team-high 15.5 points per game. The Blugolds had a five game winning streak snapped with their 20 point loss to UW-La Crosse last week. Martinek has been the team's leading scorer and his 14.7 points ranks him fourth in the WIAC. George Diekelman is averaging 14.1 points. Kalien, who has been limited this year to action in only five games, is averaging 10.8 points. Jared Schneiderman is ranked third in the conference in rebounding, pulling down 7.3 caroms, while Diekelman is averaging 5.0. The Blugolds are outscoring their opponents, 68.4-66.1. Eau Claire has the league's best rebounding margin, plus-6.1, out boarding their opponent, 38.2-32.5. 

BLUGOLDS LAST TIME OUT: One game after downing defending national champion UW-Stevens Point, the Blugolds crashed and were routed by UW-La Crosse, 71-51.Eau Claire struggled from the field shooting just 33 percent from the floor and shooting two of 25 from beyond the arc. Jack Martinek led the team with 16 points shooting 50 percent and George Diekelman had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. 

LAST TIME STOUT AND EAU CLAIRE MET: The Blugolds won both games, taking a 75-72 early January win at Johnson Fieldhouse and a 69-64 win in late January at Zorn Arena. In the opener, Jarvis Ragland scored 23 points for Stout and the Blugolds' Tyson Kalien scored a game-high 25 points. In the rematch three weeks later, the Blue Devils held Kalien 11 points under his average, but the Blugolds' Eric Effertz led all scorers with 20 points.

AWARDS AND HONORS: John Keefe was named to the D3hoops.com Classic all-tournament team, Dec. 30...John Keefe was selected the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual Athlete of the Week, Dec. 7 after scoring 26 and 24 points in back-to-back games...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, W 79-47), St. Mary's (Dec. 3, L,82-57; Jan. 28), and UW-Eau Claire (Jan. 13, Jan. 30).

THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Eddie Andrist (190-208 at Stout, 440-399 overall) is in his 16th 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. UW-Eau Claire: Matt Siverling (68-74, overall; 39-50, at Eau Claire)enters his fourth season as head men's basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2015-2016. Between 2004-2007 he was assistant men's basketball coach at UW-Eau Claire. UW-Platteville: Jeff Gard (102-72) enters his seventh year as the head men's basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He was named the 13th head coach in Pioneer history on June 9, 2009, after serving as an assistant with the Pioneers for the previous six seasons including his final two as the associate head coach.

CONFERENCES: Stout is a member of the eight 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. UW-Superior left the conference after the 2014-15 season.

UP NEXT: The Blue Devils will host UW-La Crosse, Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m., then will be at UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Jan. 23 at 3 p.m.

UW-Stout 2015-16 Individual Season Highs (Updated January 14, 2016)

Points: 26, John Keefe vs. UW-Superior, Dec. 1, 2015
3-Pointers Made: 6, John Keefe vs. UW-Superior, Dec. 1, 2015
Rebounds: 11, John Lahti vs. University of Northwestern, Dec. 15, 2015
Assists: 9, John Keefe vs. Dubuque, Dec. 8, 2015
Steals: 7, Jalen Patterson vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015

UW-Stout 2015-16 Team Season Highs (Updated January 14, 2016)

Points: 93 vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015
Field Goals Made: 35 vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015
Field Goal Percentage: .554 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
3-Pointers Made: 12 vs. UW-Superior, Dec. 1, 2015
Free Throws Made: 18 vs. Skidmore College, Dec. 30, 2015
Free Throw Percentage: .750 vs. Dubuque, Dec. 8, 2015
Rebounds: 46 vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015
Assists: 23 vs. Emmaus Bible College, Nov. 21, 2015
Steals: 13 vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 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 January 14, 2016)

Jacob Nordstrom - #3
Points: 8 vs. Skidmore, Dec. 30, 2015
Rebounds: 7 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: 1 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

Solon Ellis - #4
Points: 2 vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 6, 2016
Rebounds: 1 (2x) vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 6, 2016; vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: 4 vs. Pacific Lutheran, Dec. 29, 2015

Brandyn Christman - #5
Points: 9 vs. Dubuque, Dec. 8, 2015
Rebounds: 3 vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 6, 2016
Assists: 1 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

John Keefe - #11
Points: 30 vs. Bethany Lutheran, Dec. 3, 2014
Rebounds: 7 vs. UW-Superior, Dec. 1, 2015
Assists: 9 vs.Dubuque, Dec. 8, 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 (3x) vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015; vs. Monmouth College, Nov. 20, 2015; vs. UW-River Falls, Jan. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 6 vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015
Assists: 2 (3x) vs. University of Northwestern, Dec. 15, 2015; vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015; vs. Northwestern, Dec. 20, 2014.

Jalen Patterson - #15
Points: 19 vs.Buena Vista, Dec. 5, 2015
Rebounds: 9 vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015
Assists: 4 vs. UW-Superior, Dec. 1, 2015

Cory Speer - #23
Points: 9 vs. UW-Eau Claire, Jan. 13, 2016
Rebounds: 9 vs. Skidmore, Dec. 30, 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: 6 vs. Dubuque, Dec. 8, 2015
Assists: 6 vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014

Hank Kujak - #33
Points: 17 vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 10, 2015
Rebounds: 9 (2x) vs. Dubuque, Dec. 8, 2015; 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 (2x) vs. Buena Vista, Dec. 5, 2015; vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

Colton Williams - #31
Points: 10 vs. UW-Superior, Dec. 1, 2015
Rebounds: 6 (2x) vs. UW-Superior, Dec. 1, 2015; vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015
Assists: 3 vs. Wartburg College, Nov. 29, 2014

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: 16 vs. Dubuque, Dec. 8, 2015
Rebounds: 11 vs. University of Northwestern, Dec. 15, 2015
Assists: 2 (3x) vs. Buena Vista, Dec. 5, 2015; vs. UW-Whitewater, Feb. 21, 2015; vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014

Mason Elsen - #44
Points: 2 (2x) vs. Pacific Lutheran, Dec. 29, 2015; vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 2 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: x

Joe Haas - #45
Points: 2 (2x) vs. Pacific Lutheran, Dec. 29, 2015; vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Rebounds: 1 (2x) vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 6, 2016; vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015
Assists: x


The Last Time...(updated January 14, 2016)

A Stout Individual...
Scored 30 points: 30, John Keefe vs. Bethany Lutheran, (12/3/14)
Scored 25-29 points: 26, John Keefe vs. UW-Superior (12/1/15)
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