Men's Basketball Preview: It's tip-off time as Stout hosts Crown

Home Games: Live Stats | Live Video

THIS WEEK'S GAMES:  The Blue Devils (0-0, 0-0 WIAC) will host Crown College (0-0, 0-0 UMAC) Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., then will host the UW-Stout Tip-Off Tournament, Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18. UW-Superior (0-0, 0-0 UMAC) will meet Colorado College (0-0, 0-0 SCAC) at 5:30 p.m. in the opening game and Stout will face Marian University (0-0, 0-0 NAAC) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The consolation game is Saturday at 1 p.m. and the championship game is scheduled for 3 p.m. The games on Friday will be the first of the season for Superior, Colorado College and Marian.

EDDIE ANDRIST INTERVIEWS: Throughout the season, Pete Knutson of Sports Radio 1400 AM will speak with men's basketball head coach Eddie Andrist. You can find all of the broadcasts and interviews on iHeartRADIO. | Listen to Interviews

WEBCASTS: All UW-Stout home games will be available in a live video stream by Blue Devil Video, with Amuchy Logan and Tom Schmelze on the call. 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.

PARKING: Parking on the UW-Stout campus is restricted during the business week. For games in Johnson Fieldhouse during the week, please plan to park in Lot 29. Do not park in Lot 4, which is a reserved lot for students that live in the residence halls.

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

• The Blue Devils return nine players from last year's roster: John Keefe (Sr, Medford), Sam Ortmann (Sr, Buffalo, Minn), Keegan Dickson (Jr, Apple Valley, Minn), Isaac Elliott (Sr, Stevens Point), Adam Mackey (Sr, Ironwood, Mich), Zach Dahl (Jr, Buffalo, Minn), Brandyn Christman (Sr, Rice Lake), Peyton Fulkerson (So, Lodi) and Tanner Schmitt (So, Coon Valley).
• John Keefe led Stout in all major categories, including points per game (15.0), rebounds/game (6.2), assists/game (4.6), steals/game (1.5), and minutes/game (35.5). Keefe was fifth in the WIAC in points, fourth in rebounds and first in assists and minutes/game. In addition, Keefe had top six statistical finishes in the conference in free throw percentage (.828, 6th), 3-point field goals made (2.15, 5th) and assist/turnover ratio (2.38, 2nd). Keefe was a WIAC all-conference honorable mention selection
• Keefe scored in double figures in 19 of 26 games, and scored a career-high 32 against former WIAC foe UW-Superior in November. Keefe dished off at least two assists in every game and had four or more assists in 16 games.
• For Keefe's career, he has 869 points, ranking him in a tie for 37th with Jim Bolm on the UW-Stout all-time scoring list. His 391 single season point total from last season is 31st on the Stout single season list. Keefe is 14th on the all-time assist board with 251 and is ninth on the number of 3-pointers made, going 133-355 for his career.
• Sam Ortmann  was second on the team in minutes at 29.6 per game, and is a consistent scoring option, getting 7.9 per game and shooting 46 percent.
• The Blue Devils averaged 69.1 points per game and gave up 73.0.
• Stout finished the 2016-17 season at 13-13 overall, 4-10 for seventh in the conference and advanced to the first round of the WIAC tournament where they lost to UW-Whitewater, 78-69
• Stout was picked to finish eighth in a 2017-18 preseason poll conducted by WIAC coaches and sports information directors
• Statistics

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• UW-Stout hung with Wisconsin through much of the first half, trailing only 41-28 at halftime to the NCAA Division I program that advanced to the Sweet 16 last season. But the Badgers prevailed, jumping out to nearly 20 point lead five minutes into the second  half and took an 85-56 exhibition game win at the Kohl Center Sunday afternoon.
• Sam Ortmann led Stout with 14 points. Isaac Elliott finished with 10 points. Kobe King had 17 points for Wisconsin to lead all scorers.
• Stout coach Eddie Andrist was able to use all 20 players and 11 players scored on the Kohl Center court.
• The Badgers never trailed, jumping to a 12-3 lead in the opening minutes, then built up an 18-8 lead. Stout pulled to within five points. Stout kept the Badgers' advantage in single digits until a 3-pointer by Brad Davison at 6:25 and then built to the 13 point advantage by intermission. The lead would grow to 29 points as Wisconsin shot 50.9 percent from the field, including 9-for-24 (37.5 percent) from 3-point range.
• Stout shot 21-of-53 from the floor for the game. The Blue Devils hit 7-of-24 3-point attempts, canning 5-of-12 in the first half. John Keefe, who finished with eight points, connected on two 3-pointers. Ortmann and Elliott both hit a pair of treys.
• The game was a culmination of an event that actually started earlier in the fall, a Garding Against Cancer event that included a pair of fund raising events in Menomonie on Sept. 7. Badger coach Greg Gard set up his foundation that raised more than $27,000, funds that will stay within the Dunn County community.
• During the game, cancer survivors, doctors, researchers and all those committed to finding a cure were recognized.

CAREER BESTS

• John Keefe went off for 32 points against Superior. Sam Ortmann scored a best 14 points against Buena Vista, then topped that with a 16 point effort against Bethany Lutheran. Ortmann scored 14 points against Wisconsin in an exhibition game to kick off the season.
• Keegan Dickson scored 20 points against UW-Superior last season.
• Isaac Elliot tallied 19 points against Robert Morris, 17 in the first half
• The 95 team points scored by Stout against UW-Superior (W 95-60) was the most by a Blue Devil team since downing Bethel University 95-60, to open the 2010-11 season.

SCOUTING CROWN COLLEGE

• Crown College ranked fifth in a UMAC preseason poll and the Storm will look to make the UMAC postseason for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Timothy Wendel was All-UMAC first team honoree and rookie of the year after scoring a team-best 18.1 points in his first collegiate season, finishing second in the UMAC, while Austin VanderHeyden was behind Wendell at 15.9 points – the pair will serve as a dual threat for the Storm this winter. The duo was also tops on the team last year in rebounds, with Wendel pulling down 7.2 boards and VanderHeyden, 7.0 rebounds. The 6-foot-5 senior post player averaged 2.3 assists last season. Terrell Thomas returns after averaging 2.6 assists per contest. Guard Josh Volness returns after averaging 11.1 points. The Storm last season finished the year at 8-17 overall, 5-11 in the UMAC. The Storm ended the year on a five-game losing streak. 
• 2016-17 Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND CROWN LAST MET

• The teams have met three times, with Stout winning all three times. The teams first met during the 2010-11 season, playing a home-and-home series. Stout won the first meeting 106-61 at St. Bonifacius, Minn., and handily won the rematch, 109-67, in Menomonie later in the year. But when the teams met in the consolation game at a season-opening tournament at Wartburg College during the 2013-14 season, it was a much tighter game with the Blue Devils prevailing, 66-58. The Blue Devils trailed at halftime, 31-28, but made up the deficit as Jimmy Whitehead scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half. Aaron Jenny led Stout with 16 points and Alex Oman contributed 13. Crown's Bryce Williams led all players with 23 points.
• Story and Statistics

A QUICK LOOK AT MARIAN UNIVERSITY

• Marian University, coming off an 8-17 overall season, 7-13 in the NACC, was picked to finish seventh in the NACC preseason poll. The Sabres finished the season on a pair of good notes, downing Rockford University, 86-82, and MSOE, 91-89, in overtime. The Sabres are scheduled to return nine of their top 10 scorers from last year, including leading scorer and rebounder, Alex Manhardt. Manhardt averaged a team-best 14.5 points and 8.4 rebounds, and was a second team All-NACC selection. Will Polczynski was selected to the NACC All-Freshman team, averaging 6.6 points. The Sabres are coached by Mark Boyle, who is in his 30th season. Stout is 10-2 against Marian University. The teams have not met since the 1998-99 season, when Stout captured a 64-55 win in Menomonie.
• 2016-17 Statistics

A QUICK LOOK AT UW-SUPERIOR

• Superior was picked to finish sixth in a UMAC preseason poll in its first season under new coach Greg Polkowski. Superior notched a 7-18 record last season, including a 6-10 record in the UMAC. The Yellowjackets' top returner is Shaq Coleman , who produced 14 points per game, five rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season, earning a UMAC honorable mention nod. The 'Jackets also return top guards Montroy Scott  who added 12 ppg and three rebounds, and Nate Kalien, who averaged 7.6 ppg and 40.4 percent from 3-point line. The Yellowjackets are scheduled to play an exhibition game against NCAA Division II University of Sioux Falls, Tuesday, Nov. 14.
• Behind John Keefe's career-best 32 points, the Blue Devils defeated the Yellowjackets, 95-60, Nov. 22, 2016, in Menomonie. Keegan Dickson finished with 20 points and Jacob Nordstrom plunked in 10 points.
• 2016-17 Statistics

A QUICK LOOK AT COLORADO COLLEGE

• The Tigers have played a pair of exhibition games, downing cross-town rival Colorado University-Colorado Springs, 73-71, Nov. 4, with Eric Houska pouring in a game-high 26 points, but then falling, 95-35, at Brigham Young University, Nov. 8.
• John Hatch and Eric Houska were first team All-SCAC selections last season as juniors. Hatch was also named to the All-Defensive team. Hatch led the Tigers with a 17.5 points per game average and pulled down 5.9 rebounds per contest. Hatch was 55-132 from 3-point range. Houska averaged 17.1 points per contest and lived at the free throw line, and lived well, draining 112-132 freebies at a .848 percentage. The Tigers opened last season by traveling to Wisconsin, where they lost to UW-Whitewater, 90-71, on opening night, then fell at UW-Platteville, 77-58, the next night. Colorado College ended the year at 11-14 overall, 10-4 in the SCAC. The Tigers are coached by Andy Partee, who is in his 12th year.
• The Blue Devils and the Tigers have met twice, with the Blue Devils winning both meetings. Stout won the teams first-ever contest, 82-70, in Colorado during the 1998-99 season, and the Blue Devils made it 2-0 with a 68-54 win during the 2004-05 season at the Colorado State University-Pueblo tournament.

AWARDS AND HONORS: 2016-17: John Keefe and John Lahti were 2016-17 All-WIAC honorable mention selections...Cory Speer was selected as the UW-Stout/DigiCopy Athlete of the Week, Jan. 10, after coming off the bench against UW-Platteville: and UW-Oshkosh...John Keefe was selected WIAC Athlete of the Week, Nov. 29, after scoring 32 points against UW-Superior and 15 against Buena Vista University...John Keefe was selected as the UW-Stout/DigiCopy Athlete of the Week, Nov. 20, after his performance over the first three games of the season.

BLUE DEVIL HISTORY: UW-Stout, then Stout Institute, played their first game Jan. 11, 1907, hosting the University of Wisconsin at the Armory in Menomonie. The Badgers handed the Trainers a 29-19 loss.


UW-STOUT COACH EDDIE ANDRIST

• Eddie Andrist (203-232 at Stout, 453-423 overall) is in his 18th year as the coach of the Blue Devils, and his 29th  overall in the collegiate ranks.
• Andrist led the Blue Devils to their first NCAA Division III appearance six 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 as a UW-Stout assistant, first as a student coach in the 1970s, then again during the 1980s.
• Andrist spent two stints coaching international basketball, working with the country of Qatar

CROWN COLLEGE COACH LUKE HERBERT

• Luke Herbert is a busy man. Herbert is entering his eighth season as the men's basketball coach and recently wrapped up his second season as the head coach of the men's soccer team. In addition, Herbert is the assistant athletic director for communications.

CONFERENCE: 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-River Falls is projected to win the conference crown, according to a preseason poll conducted by WIAC coaches and sports information directors, followed by: UW-Whitewater; UW-Oshkosh; UW-Eau Claire; UW-Stevens Point; UW-Platteville; UW-La Crosse; and UW-Stout.


DEWEY MINTZ COURT: The basketball court in Johnson Fieldhouse was named Dewey Mintz Court, Dec. 10, in honor of 27-year Blue Devil coach Dwain Mintz, who coached the Blue Devil men's basketball team from 1962-1989. Nearly 30 years after he retired, Mintz is currently fourth on the WIAC all-time men's basketball coaches wins list with a record of 385-280.Mintz coached league contenders throughout his tenure at UW-Stout from 1963-89, including conference championships in 1966, 1969 and 1975. He was the NAIA District 14 Coach of the Year in 1966 and 1973, and NAIA Area IV Coach of the Year in 1969. During his 27 years at UW-Stout, Dewey Mintz Court is the fifth floor named among member schools in the WIAC. The others include: Bo Ryan Court at UW-Platteville; Ken Anderson Court at UW-Eau Claire; Dave "Augie" Vander Meulen Court at UW-Whitewater; and Bennett Court at UW-Stevens Point, named in honor of Dick and Jack Bennett.

UP NEXT: The Blue Devils will travel to the UW-Superior Tournament where they will meet the College of St. Scholastica, Saturday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. and UW-Superior, Sunday, Nov. 26 at 4 p.m.




UW-Stout 2017-18 Individual Season Highs (Updated November 18, 2017)

Points: 23, Sam Ortmann vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
3-Pointers Made: 3, Sam Ortmann vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Rebounds: 11, Brandon Emery vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Assists: 3, Isaac Elliott vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Steals: 2, Brandon Emery vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017

UW-Stout 2017-18 Team Season Highs (Updated November 18, 2017)

Points: 84 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Field Goals Made: 30 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Field Goal Percentage:  .612 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
3-Pointers Made: 6 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Free Throws Made: 19 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Free Throw Percentage: .895 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Rebounds: 35 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Assists: 7 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Turnovers: 11 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Blocked Shots: 3 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Steals: 7 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Double-Doubles: 17 pts, 11 rbs, Brandon Emery vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017


UW-Stout Career Bests (updated November 18, 2017)

John Keefe - #0
Points: 32 vs. UW-Superior, Nov. 22, 2016
Rebounds: 15 vs. Silver Lake College, Jan. 3, 2017
Assists: 9 vs. Dubuque, Dec. 8, 2015

Brandon Emery - #1
Points: 17 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Rebounds: 11 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Assists: 2 (2x) vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017; vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017

Keegan Dickson - #2
Points: 20 vs. UW-Superior, Nov. 22, 2016
Rebounds: 9 (2x) vs. University of Dubuque, Dec. 10, 2016; vs. Robert Morris, Nov. 19, 2016
Assists: 3 vs. Robert Morris, Nov. 19, 2016

Kevin Stroemple - #3
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Matt Fransen - #4
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Josh Mericle - #10
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Zach Dahl - #12
Points: 15 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Rebounds: 6 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Assists: x

Hayden Reese - #13
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Isaac Elliott - #14
Points: 19 vs. Robert Morris, Nov. 19, 2016
Rebounds: 6 (2x) vs. UW-Eau Claire, Jan. 30, 2016; vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 24, 2015
Assists: 3 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017

Peyton Fulkerson - #20
Points: x
Rebounds: 1 vs. Silver Lake College, Jan. 3, 2017;
Assists: x

Brandyn Christman - #23
Points: 13 vs. UW-Platteville, Jan. 16, 2016
Rebounds: 7 vs. UW-La Crosse, Jan. 20, 2016
Assists: 1 vs. Emmaus Bible, Nov. 21, 2015

Sam Ortmann - #24
Points: 23 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Rebounds: 8 vs. Robert Morris, Nov. 19, 2016
Assists: 6 (2x) vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 11, 2017; vs. John Carroll University, Dec. 29, 2014

Jon Ciriacks - #25
Points: 3 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Rebounds: 3 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017
Assists: 1 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017

Joe Duty - #30
Points: 21 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Rebounds: 6 vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017
Assists: 1 vs. Crown College, Nov. 15, 2017

Adam Mackey - #32
Points: 4 (2x) vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017; vs. UW-Eau Claire, Feb. 1, 2017
Rebounds: 2 vs. UW-Eau Claire, Feb. 1, 2017
Assists: 1 vs. UW-Eau Claire, Feb. 1, 2017

Tanner Schmitt - #33
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Trey Hake - #40
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Luke Geiger - #42
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Brady Booth - #44
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

McKinley Gehlhausen - #45
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x


The Last Time...(updated November 18, 2017)

A Stout Individual...
Scored 30 points: 31, Cory Speer vs. Buena Vista (11/27/16)
Scored 25-29 points: 26, John Keefe vs. UW-Superior (12/1/15)
Recorded 15 rebounds: 15, John Keefe vs. Silver Lake College (1/3/17); 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. UW-Eau Claire, Feb. 1, 2017: John Keefe (21); John Lahti (17); Keegan Dickson (16); Brett Ahsenmacher (14); Sam Ortmann (13); vs. UW-La Crosse, Jan. 14, 2017: Jacob Nordstrom (12); Cory Speer (12); Brett Ahsenmacher (11); John Lahti (11); Sam Ortmann (10); vs. Bethany Lutheran, Dec. 5, 2016: Sam Ortmann (16); John Keefe (13); Keegan Dickson (12); Jacob Nordstrom (10); Cory Speer (10); vs. UW-Superior, Nov. 22, 2016: John Keefe (32); Keegan Dickson (20); Cory Speer (12); John Lahti (11); Jacob Nordstrom (10). vs. Robert Morris, Nov. 19, 2016: John Keefe (24); Isaac Elliott (19); Keegan Dickson (16); Sam Ortmann (10); John Lahti (10).
Had four players score in double digits: vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017, Joe Duty (21); Zach Dahl (15); Isaac Elliott (15); Brandon Emery (13); vs. UW-Whitewater, Feb. 21, 2017 - John Lahti (16); John Keefe (15); Isaac Elliott (12); Braden Walbeck (11(; vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 11, 2017 - John Keefe (15); John Lahti (13); Jacob Nordstrom (12); Brett Ahsenmacher (10); vs. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 7, 2017. John Lahti (20), John Keefe (18), Cory Speer (17), Jacob Nordstrom (10); vs. Buena Vista, Nov. 27, 2016, Cory Speer (31); John Keefe (15); Sam Ortmann (14); John Lahti (11).
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: 7, 2016-17 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