Men's Basketball Preview: Blue Devils host Platteville for Community Days

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Blue Devils (6-8, 0-3 WIAC) will travel to UW-Whitewater (11-2, 0-2 WIAC), Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m., then host UW-Platteville (8-6, 1-2 WIAC), Saturday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. for Community Days. No admission will be charged for the Platteville game.  


JIM LAKE INTERVIEWS: Throughout the season, Pete Knutson of iHeartRadio's Newstalk WMEQ AM 880 and 106.3FM will speak with men's basketball head coach Jim Lake. You can find all of the broadcasts and interviews on iHeartRADIO. 

BLUE DEVIL WEBCASTS: All UW-Stout home games will be available in a live video stream by Blue Devil Video.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.

ON THE AIR: iHeartRADIO Newstalk WMEQ AM 880 and 106.3 FM will provide broadcast coverage for the season with Pete Knutson and Jake Bostrom providing commentary during the games. Jimmie Kaska will be providing play by play commentary at UW-Whitewater. Game streams are available on wmeq.com or through the iHeartRadio App.

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.


THE BLUE DEVILS IN 2018-19

• The Blue Devils are averaging 79.9 points per game and giving up 81.4. Stout last year finished the season averaging 69.6 points and gave up 74.9. Three times this season, Stout has scored 90 points or more and seven times scored 80 points or more. The team's highest offensive output so far this year was 96 points in a win over Silver Lake College. Their lowest output was 69 points in a win over Finlandia University in December.  As a team, the Blue Devils are third in scoring offense, but eighth in scoring defense. 
• Stout is second in the WIAC in steals, trailing only UW-Eau Claire. The Blue Devils average 8.21 steals per contest. Kyle Williams is seventh in the league in steals (1.50) and D'Marcco Patrick is 14th (1.14). 
• After missing all except two minutes of last season due to injury, John Keefe eased into the first games of the season, but has been on a tear since then. Keefe scored 12 and 7 points, respectively in the first two games, but has scored in double digits in nine of 10 games played. Keefe is currently leading the WIAC in scoring with 21.3 points and is ranked 37th nationally. Keefe has scored in double digits in 12 of the 13 games he has played. Three times he has scored 30 points or more and seven times more than 20 points. Keefe is third in the WIAC in 3-pointers made with 3.0 per outing. Keefe hit a career-best 33 points in an overtime loss to McMurry University. Keefe currently has 1150 career points, and is tied for 12th with Mike Devney on the UW-Stout all-time scoring list, just passing Mel Coleman (1130). (9. Jeremy Liebfried 1195; 10. Mike Thompson 1191; 11. Aaron Vachowiak 1154) Keefe currently has 172 3-pointers made, and is fifth on the all-time list - 1. Eric Hostetter (219); 2. Jerrel Enerson-Matthews (187); 3. Jeremy Leibfried (186); 4. Jerrod Buchholtz (182). 
• Zach Dahl overcame a cold start to the season from the floor. The senior captain did not hit a shot from the floor in the first two games, scoring only two points from the free throw line, which may have been an early season precursor. But Dahl has steadily increased his scoring totals and is now averaging 8.3 points per game and is among the team leaders in rebounds, averaging 4.0 per game. On the free throw line, Dahl has been steady, hitting 26 of 30 attempts (.867). Dahl is 18 of 41 from 3-point range, and his percentage (.439) is ninth in the league. 
• Sophomore captain Jon Ciriacks played the first two games of the season, then missed the next five games before returning against Crown College, Dec. 7. Now, Ciriacks is averaging 14.7 points and 8.0 rebounds. During his freshman season, Ciriacks averaged 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds. Ciriacks is the team's second-leading scorer and top Rebounder. Out of nine games played, Ciriacks has scored in double figures eight times, twice scoring 20 or more points. Ciriacks pulled down a career-best 13 rebounds in the season-opener against Lawrence, giving him is first career double-double. Players must have seen time in 75 percent of all games to appear in the WIAC statistics categories and Ciriacks has played in 64 percent of the games. Ciriacks would be eighth in scoring and third in rebounds. 
• Sophomore Luke Geiger exceeded his entire freshman season scoring totals during the Blue Devils' season-opening overtime win over Lawrence. Geiger last season had 11 points for the entire season, but finished the game with 15 points. Geiger is currently third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.8 points. Geiger nine times this season has scored in double digits, scoring a career-best 21 points against Northland College.. With 23 3-pointers, Geiger trails only Keefe on the team. 
• Junior transfer Kyle Williams has come off the bench to average 5.5 points, but is tops in the league with assist/turnover ratio, tallying 37 assists to 15 turnovers. HIs 37 assists are eighth in the league and he currently has 18 steals, (1.50 steals/game, seventh in the WIAC), recording seven steals against Bethany Lutheran.With 37 assists, good for eighth in the WIAC,
• Only five Blue Devils have played in all 13 games - Zach Dahl, D'Marcco Patrick, Braden Walbeck, Garret Parks and Brandon Gilbertson. Dahl and Patrick have started all 13 games. 
• Stout shot 51.7 percent from the floor (31-60), their highest shooting percentage this year, in their two point loss to nationally ranked UW-Oshkosh. 
• The 96 points scored against Silver Lake is the most since scoring scoring 109 against Crown College in February, 2011. Stout scored 94 against Silver Lake College last December.

A LOOK AT THE BLUE DEVILS

• Jim Lake is in his first year at the helm of the Blue Devils, coming to Menomonie after coaching at Ferris State University where the Bulldogs won the NCAA Division II national title last season.
• Stout was picked to finish eighth in the WIAC in a preseason poll conducted by league coaches and sports information directors.
• Team captains for the 2018-19 season are seniors John Keefe and Zach Dahl and sophomore Jon Ciriacks.
• Also returning from last season are: Luke Geiger, Josh Mericle, Tanner Schmitt, Brady Booth and Trey Hake. Braden Walbeck and D'Marcco Patrick return after not having played last season.
• Dahl had a breakout season last year, averaging 9.4 points per contest, playing in 24 games and starting 20. Dahl had a career night with 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists against UW-Whitewater. He led the team in rebounds from the guard position.
• Ciriacks came off the bench in 19 games during his freshman season to average 4.2 points per contest and 2.2 rebounds.
• Keefe returns for his super senior season. The Blue Devils' leading scorer from the 2016-17 season made it less than two minutes into last season when he was injured in the season opener and was lost for the entire season. Keefe was injured when he laid in his only basket of the season. During the 2016-17 season, 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. 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
• The Blue Devils last year averaged 69.6 points per game and gave up 74.9. Stout lost their three leading scorers - Issac Elliott, Sam Ortmann and Joe Duty, who combined to average 39.0 points per game. Dahl was the team's fourth-leading scorer, averaging 9.7 points.

BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT

• Whitewater carried through a 24-10 first half lead and took a 40-26 halftime lead into the locker room to down UW-Stout 83-60 at Kachel Gymnasium. The Blue Devils (6-8, 0-3)  cut the score to as close as 27-22 with five minutes remaining in the half, but that would be as close as they would get the rest of the way. Stout got 13 points from John Keefe, a double-double from Jon Ciriacks with 12 points and 10 rebounds and 10 points from Luke Geiger. Stout shot 40 percent (22-55) from the field, 31.8 percent (7-22) from the 3-point range and 64.3 percent (9-14) from the free throw line. 
• The Blue Devils proved they were a team to be reckoned with. After being selected last in the WIAC preseason poll and opening the conference season with a less-than-inspiring loss at UW-La Crosse, Stout took sixth ranked UW-Oshkosh to the wire before dropping a 77-75 decision Saturday.The Blue Devils (6-7, 0-2 WIAC) lead throughout the entire first half, taking a 44-41 lead into the locker room. The Titans (12-1, 2-0 WIAC) took their first lead of the game at 18:13 in the second half, building to as much as a four point lead before Stout grabbed the lead back at 12:50, 56-53, on a 3-pointer by Braden Walbeck, starting a 16-7 run to give Stout a nine-point, 69-60 lead at 6:43. But the Titans chipped away at the lead and preseason All-American Ben Boots provided much of the chipping. Boots was fouled on a 3-point attempt and sank all three charity shots with 1:30 left to pull the Titans to within 75-73. A minute later, Boots gave the Titans their first lead in more than 12 minutes, hitting a 3-pointer from deep in the corner for a 76-75 lead with 29.5 seconds remaining. The Blue Devils had opportunities to tie or pull ahead, but the lid was on the bucket for Stout as they missed two free throw attempts. Boots was fouled with 17 seconds remaining and he made the front end and Stout's Jon Ciriacks pulled down the rebound from the missed shot, and a missed 3-pointer and a turnover sealed the win for the Titans. Stout was led by Keefe with 22 points. Ciriacks finished with 13, Zach Dahl with 11 and Kyle Williams came off the bench to score 10. The free throw line failed the Blue Devils, making only 3 of 7 shots, while the Titans dropped in 14 of 18. 
• UW-La Crosse used a 22-7 run to start the game as the Eagles never trailed in a 92-72 conference-opening win over UW-Stout Wednesday night in Mitchell Hall.  After La Crosse (8-4, 1-0 WIAC) took a 59-37 lead with 15:09 remaining, Stout (6-6, 0-1 WIAC) scored seven unanswered points, three by John Keefe and two apiece by Jon Ciriacks and Josh Mericle, to pull with in 59-44 with 13:46 on the clock.The Eagles answered back with a five point run and Stout could not get any closer than 16 points the rest of the way. 

Stat Tracker / per game

UW-Stout	Statistic	UW-Whitewater	UW-Platteville
79.9	Pts	84.8	77.1
81.4	Pts Allowed	72.5	73.7
.420	FG %	.502	.435
.462	FG % Defense	.442	.455
9.4	3 pt made	7.8	8.3
7.0	3 pt allowed	7.4	8.7
37.9	Rebounds	36.6	35.4
40.4	Rebounds Allowed	29.6	31.1
13.5	Turnovers	14.4	11.9
John Keefe 21.3	Leading Scorer	Derek Rongstad 12.5	Robert Duax 17.8
Jon Ciriacks 8.0	Leading Rebounder	Melvin Brown, Jr. 8.7	Clay Gerds 6.2

SCOUTING UW-WHITEWATER

• UW-Whitewater returns all five starters from last season, including four who averaged over 10.0 points per contest. Senior guard Andre Brown had a team-high 15.2 points per game and 37 steals, while senior guard/forward Mitchell Pfeifer contributed 11.9 points, senior guard David Sachs had 11.3 points and senior forward Derek Rongstad added 10.9 points. Sachs distributed a team-best 94 assists, while Rongstad topped the squad with 158 rebounds. This season, the Warhawks have five players averaging in double figures, led by Rongstad with 12.5 points, followed by Melvin Brown, Jr., (12.4), Sachs (12.2), Malik Clements (10.7) and Pfeifer (10.3). Brown leads the team in rebounds with 5.4, followed by Clements with 5.0. The Warhawks average 84.8 points, second in the league, and give up 72.5. The Warhawks are ranked 14th in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll. 

WARHAWKS LAST TIME OUT

• The Warhawks have dropped both of their first two conference games and are in a tie for fifth in the WIAC, dropping a 69-65 decision Saturday to UW-Eau Claire and a 64-51 loss to UW-Stevens Point, Jan. 2, in the conference opener.
• Tenth-ranked Whitewater men's basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit in the first half and held a lead early in the second, but was unable to hang on in a 69-65 setback against UW-Eau Claire at Kachel Gymnasium. The Warhawks (11-2 overall, 0-2 WIAC) held a 44-36 advantage with 14:36 left in the contest after starting the second half on a 9-1 run. From there, the Blugolds (9-4, 2-0) chipped away at their deficit, tying the game at 52-52 with 7:39 remaining. The game was tied again at 61-61 with 3:24 on the clock after a pair of free throws by senior guard David Sachs (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park). UW-Eau Claire hit a 3-pointer on the next possession, and never relinquished the lead from there. Senior forward Derek Rongstad (Middleton, Wis./Middleton) brought UW-Whitewater within one possession on two separate occasions over the final 2:19, but the Blugolds hit their final four free throws of the game as the Warhawks were unable to convert at the other end. Sachs finished with a team-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Pfeifer registered 14 points and five rebounds, and senior guard Dalton Menke (Rockford, Ill./Winnebago)collected 10 points and five rebounds. 
• Whitewater was unable to establish an offensive rhythm Wednesday night in a 64-51 setback at 12th-ranked UW-Stevens Point in the WIAC opener for both teams. The Warhawks were held to a season-low 36.2 percent shooting from the floor, including a 23.1 percent clip in the first half. UW-Whitewater held the Pointers (9-2, 1-0) to 33.3 percent shooting in the first half before UW-Stevens Point converted 55.6 percent in the second. Senior forward Derek Rongstand and senior guard David Sachs (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) led the Warhawks with 11 points apiece. Senior guard Malik Clements (Fitchburg, Wis./Madison West) totaled seven points and a team-best six rebounds, and junior guard Tywon Bressler (Milwaukee, Wis./Dominican)finished with six points. UW-Whitewater took its first lead at 9-8 at the 11:04 mark of the first half on a layup by senior guard Andre Brown (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail). From there, the Pointers scored the next 10 points to take an 18-9 advantage with 7:25 to go in the period. The Warhawks drew to within five at the 3:18 mark on a layup by Clements, but UW-Stevens Point scored the final five points of the half to take a 25-15 lead. UW-Whitewater got as close as 10 in the second half on a layup by senior forward Melvin Brown Jr.(Milwaukee, Wis./Vincent) with 19:19 on the clock. The Pointers scored the next seven points and led 36-19 four minutes into the frame. 

LAST YEAR WHEN STOUT AND WHITEWATER MET

• UW-Stout's Isaac Elliott scored 16 of his game-high 24 points in the second half, but it was UW-Whitewater that would pull away with a 69-55 victory over the Blue Devils Jan. 13, 2018 at Kachel Gym. The Blue Devils (6-9, 0-4 WIAC) shot 52 percent in the first half, while the Warhawks (13-2, 3-1 WIAC) shot 39 percent. Both teams recorded the same number of field goal, and it was Whitewater that held a five-point, 32-27, halftime lead, hitting one more 3-pointer and four more free throws than Stout.
• Outside of Johnson Fieldhouse, the snow was coming down. Inside of Johnson Fieldhouse the 3-pointers were coming down as UW-Stout and UW-Whitewater combined for 24 3-pointers. But it was the 12th-ranked Warhawks that held the advantage, swishing 16 3-pointers on their way to a 74-55 win over the Blue Devils Feb. 3, 2018.

SCOUTING UW-PLATTEVILLE

• UW-Platteville last season claimed the 20th regular-season championship in program history after finishing eighth in the league standings in 2016-17 to become the first team in WIAC history to go from last place one year to first the next. The Pioneers advanced to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Division III Championship and posted 24 wins for the most victories since the 1998-99 campaign. Senior guard/forward Robert Duax is the reigning conference Player of the Year, after ranking fourth in the WIAC with 15.8 points per game and 10th with 4.6 rebounds per contest. Junior forward Carter Voelker and sophomore guard Quentin Shields added 10.3 and 10.2 points per game, respectively. Voelker also contributed a team-best 64 assists and 43 three-point field goals made. All three players are currently ranking in double figures with Duax leading the way with 17.9 points, followed by Shields with 15.9 and Voelker with 10.9. Clay Gerds leads the team off the glass with 6.1 boards. The Pioneers average 77.1 points per game and give up 73.7. The Pioneers are tops in the WIAC in free throw percentage at .789. Shields is second in the WIAC and ninth in the NCAA Division III (27th across all three NCAA Divisions) in free throw percentage, draining 62 of 67 (.925) of his charity shots. Shields has made more free throws than anyone else in the league.

PIONEERS LAST TIME OUT

• The Pioneers defeated the UW-River Falls Falcons 74-64 on Wednesday in Williams Fieldhouse to claim their first conference win of the season. The Pioneers won their first WIAC conference game ending their two-game skid. The Pioneers used stingy defense in the post and on the perimeter to hold the Falcons to 35.5% shooting from the field and a minuscule 29.2% from 3-point range. Clay Gerds, 6 points 8 rebounds, and Kyle Tuma held their own in the post holding the Falcons big men to a combined 6-22 shooting. Quentin Shields who did not shoot it well controlled the pace for the Pioneers and went a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line. Shields finished with 17 points. Carter Voelker had his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Robert Duax chipped in with another 17 points and seven rebounds. For the game the Pioneers out rebounded the Falcons 40 to 33 while grabbing 11 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second chance points.
• The Pioneers dropped their first two conference games, losing 96-70, to UW-Oshkosh in the season-opener, and 80-76 to UW-La Crosse but defeated UW-River Falls, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 74-64.
• Platteville Pioneers men's basketball team defeated the UW-River Falls Falcons 74-64 on Wednesday in Williams Fieldhouse. The Pioneers won their first WIAC conference game ending their two-game skid. The Pioneers used stingy defense in the post and on the perimeter to hold the Falcons to 35.5% shooting from the field and a minuscule 29.2% from three. Clay Gerds, 6 points 8 rebounds, and Kyle Tuma held their own in the post holding the Falcons big men to a combined 6-22 shooting. Quentin Shields who did not shoot it well controlled the pace for the Pioneers and went a perfect 10-10 from the free throw line. Shields finished with 17 points. Carter Voelker had his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Robert Duax chipped in with another 17 points and 7 rebounds. For the game the Pioneers out rebounded the Falcons 40 to 33 while grabbing 11 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second chance points.
• The Pioneers lost to UW-La Crosse by a score of 80-76 on Saturday night. The Pioneers got off to a good start in the first half holding an eight-point lead at intermission, 42-34. But the Eagles of La Crosse started the second half on a 14-4 run and took the lead 48-46. The Pioneers would battle in the second half keeping it close but held their last lead with 9:26 left in the second half. The Pioneers shot a blistering 60.7% in the first half but would only shoot 38.2% in the second half. The Eagles shot hot throughout the whole game shooting at a clip of 52.9% for the whole game. The Pioneers were led offensively by Quentin Shields who chipped in 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting and Robert Duax scored 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
• In the WIAC season opener Platteville fell to UW-Oshkosh by a score of 96-70.The Pioneers (7-5) fell behind 30-53 at halftime behind blistering shooting by the Oshkosh Titans. In the first half the Titans shot 64.5% from the field and 62.5% from the three-point line, all while holding the Pioneers to 33.3% shooting and 41.7% from three. For the game the Titans outrebounded, out shot and forced 14 Pioneer turnovers. The Pioneers were led in scoring by senior Robert Duax and sophomore Quentin Shields who both scored 14 points but on a combined 7-27 shooting (25.9%). Junior Carter Voelker and freshmen Blake McCann both chipped in 10 points. 

LAST YEAR WHEN STOUT AND PLATTEVILLE MET

• UW-Stout was forced to play catch-up all night long as UW-Platteville gave the Blue Devils a 73-54 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) loss at Johnson Fieldhouse Jan. 3, 2018. The Blue Devils (6-6, 0-1 WIAC) trailed from the get-go and trailed by as much as 13 points midway through the first hal, but pulled the score back to within seven, 32-25, just before halftime. Platteville score the final seven points of the half to take a 39-25 halftime lead. The Pioneers (11-1, 1-0 WIAC) shot seven 3-pointers in the first half and finished the night with nine field goals from beyond the arc. Platteville had three players score in double digits with Carter Voelker leading the way with 14 points, hitting two triples. Matt Oestrich and Robert Duax each scored 11 points. Zach Dahl led Stout with 14 points, going 5 of 9 from the floor and 4 of 4 from the line. Adam Mackey scored 11 points, including one of Stout's three 3-point baskets.
• UW-Platteville used a big spurt in the first half to push past UW-Stout and the Blue Devils could not catch up as the Pioneers took an 86-69 win Jan. 27, 2018 on Bo Ryan Court. Stout (7-12, 1-7 WIAC) jumped out to an early 6-0 lead as Sam Ortmann and Joe Duty hit back-to-back 3-pointers. The Pioneers tied the game at 8-8 and Peyton Fulkerson gave Stout a two point lead. Platteville (16-3, 6-2 WIAC) off on a 21-0 run to take a 29-10 lead midway through the first half. The Pioneers took advantage of hot shooting, hitting 67.9 percent of their first half, scoring 19 of 28 shots from the floor and finished the night shooting 56.9 percent (33-58). The Blue Devils rebounded a bit in the second half. Stout shot 31 percent (9-29) in the first half, but improved to 45.2 percent (14-31) in the second half. Platteville's Robert Duax led all scorers with 19 points and Trey Sigel chipped in 16 points. Stout had three players score in double figures. Duty dropped in a team-high 16 points and Ortmann scored 13. Josh Mericle came off the bench to score a career-best 11 points and five rebounds in 11 minutes of play.

 

AWARDS AND HONORS: 2018-19: John Keefe was the UW-Stout/Toppers Athlete of the Week Dec. 3 after scoring 27 and 32 points in a pair of games...

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 JIM LAKE

• Jim Lake (6-8) is in his first season as the head coach of the Blue Devils. Lake came to Stout after 10 seasons as an assistant coach at Ferris State. The Bulldogs won the 2017-18 NCAA Division II national title.
• Lake served at Ferris State University for a total of 10 years, the last five years beginning with the 2013-14 season as the program's top assistant men's basketball coach. Lake had served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Bulldogs in two different stints over the previous decade, working as a part-time assistant coach from 2011-13 before moving up to the full-time lead position, and as a volunteer assistant coach from 2003-06.
• During five seasons as the Bulldogs' top assistant coach, Lake helped Ferris State to four consecutive Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) tournament championships and four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, culminating in a 38-1 overall record and the 2018 NCAA Division II national title with a 71-69 win over Northern State University in March.

UW-WHITEWATER COACH PAT MILLER

• Pat Miller - 18th season at UWW; 380-116 - was named head coach of the Warhawks prior to the 2001-02 season. He enters his 18th year at the helm of the program in 2018-19. Entering the 2017-18 season, Miller ranked 18th all-time, among all NCAA divisions, in winning percentage among coaches with a minimum of 10 seasons coaching at the NCAA level. He currently ranks ahead of coaching legends Mike Krzyzewski, Bill Self and Bo Ryan. A four-time Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Miller has led the Warhawks to two NCAA Division III national championships. In 2011-12, UW-Whitewater won its first national title since 1989, when Miller was a co-captain and the Warhawks' third-leading scorer. The 2011-12 team finished 29-4 overall and 13-3 in the WIAC, winning its NCAA Tournament games by an average margin of over 14 points per contest. Two years later, in 2013-14, UW-Whitewater won the championship with overall and conference records identical to those in 2011-12. The Warhawks were dominant through their first five games of the NCAA Tournament before defeating Williams (Mass.) in a thrilling national title game, 75-73. Quardell Young's lay-up and free throw with one second remaining was the deciding play of the contest. Overall, Miller has led the Warhawks to six WIAC regular season championships, four league tournament titles and nine NCAA Tournament appearances.

UW-PLATTEVILLE COACH JEFF GARD

• Jeff Gard - 10th season at UWP; 147-106 - returned the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to conference, regional and national prominence in 2017-18, his eighth season as head coach of the Pioneers. Gard guided the Pioneers to a 24-5 overall record, a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship (12-2) and an NCAA III Sweet Sixteen appearance. The Pioneers won their 20th league title in their rich history and made the NCAA III playoffs for the 11th time, reaching the Sweet Sixteen for the sixth time. The Pioneers beat Monmouth 91-76 and St. Olaf 81-76 in the first two rounds of the national playoffs before being edged 79-78 by Nebraska Wesleyan.

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-Oshkosh is projected to win the conference crown, according to a preseason poll conducted by WIAC coaches and sports information directors, followed by: UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Whitewater, UW-La Crosse, UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire 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 be on the road for two games, traveling to UW-River Falls, Wednesday, Jan. 16 for a 7 p.m. contest, then head to UW-Eau Claire Saturday, Jan. 19 for a double header with the women's programs.


UW-Stout 2018-19 Individual Season Highs (Updated January 10, 2019)

Points: 33, John Keefe vs. McMurry University, Nov. 16, 2018
3-Pointers Made: 7, John Keefe vs. University of Northwestern, Nov. 29, 2018
Rebounds: 13, Jon Ciriacks vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018
Assists: 6, John Keefe vs. Finlandia, Nov. 10, 2018
Steals: 7, Kyle Williams vs. Bethany Lutheran College, Nov. 27, 2018


UW-Stout 2018-19 Team Season Highs (Updated January 10, 2019)

Points: 96 vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018
Field Goals Made: 34 vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018
Field Goal Percentage: .517 vs. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 5, 2019
3-Pointers Made: 14 vs. Bethel University, Nov. 17, 2018
Free Throws Made: 23 vs. Finlandia University, Dec. 14, 2018
Free Throw Percentage: .941 vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018
Rebounds: 52 (2x) vs. Finlandia University, Dec. 14, 2018; vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018
Assists: 18 vs. Finlandia, Nov. 10, 2018
Turnovers: 21 vs. Bethany Lutheran College, Nov. 27, 2018
Fewest Turnovers: 9 vs. Crown College, Dec. 7, 2018
Blocked Shots: 5 vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018
Steals: 10 (3x) vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018: vs. Finlandia University, Dec. 14, 2018; vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018
Double/Doubles: Jon Ciriacks (12 pts, 10 rbs) vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 9, 2019;  Jon Ciriacks (16 pts, 13 rbs) vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018


UW-Stout Career Bests (updated January 10, 2019)

John Keefe - #0
Points: 33 vs. McMurry, Nov. 16, 2018
Rebounds: 15 vs. Silver Lake College, Jan. 3, 2017
Assists: 9 vs. Dubuque, Dec. 8, 2015

D'Marcco Patrick - #1
Points: 15 vs. Coe College, Nov. 16, 2014
Rebounds: 6 (2x) vs. Cardinal Stritch, Dec. 29. 2018; vs. Finlandia University, Dec. 14, 2018
Assists: 5 vs. Bethany Lutheran College, Nov. 27, 2018;

Kaden Koski - #2
Points: 8 vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018
Rebounds: 5 (3x) vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018; vs. Finlandia, Nov. 10, 2018; vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018
Assists: x

Garret Parks - #3
Points: 13 vs. Bethel University, Nov. 17, 2018
Rebounds: 7 (2x) vs. Finlandia, Dec. 14, 2018; vs. Bethel University, Nov. 17, 2018
Assists: 2 (2x) vs. Lawrence University, Nov. 9, 2018; vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018

Luke Geiger - #4
Points: 21 vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018
Rebounds: 6 vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018
Assists: 2 (2x) vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018; vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018

Jon Ciriacks - #5
Points: 25 vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018
Rebounds: 13 vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018
Assists: 3 (2x) vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 7, 2017; vs. Colorado College, Nov. 18, 2017

Josh Mericle - #10
Points: 11 vs. UW-Platteville, Jan. 27, 2018
Rebounds: 5 vs. UW-Platteville, Jan. 27, 2018
Assists: x

Elliott Lyden - #11
Points: x
Rebounds: 1 (2x) vs. Bethel University, Nov. 17, 2018; vs. Finlandia, Nov. 10, 2018
Assists: 1 vs. Finlandia, Nov. 10, 2018

Zach Dahl - #12
Points: 20 vs. UW-Whitewater, Feb. 3, 2018
Rebounds: 12 vs. UW-Whitewater, Feb. 3, 2018
Assists: 5 vs. UW-Whitewater, Feb. 3, 2018

Braden Walbeck - #13
Points: 17 vs. University of Dubuque, Dec. 10, 2016
Rebounds: 6 vs. Lawrence University, Dec. 30, 2016
Assists: 3 vs. Bethel University, Nov. 17, 2018

Cam Wall - #14
Points: 3 vs. UW-Green Bay, Dec. 11, 2018 (exh)
Rebounds: vs. Michigan Tech, Dec. 15, 2018 (exh)
Assists: x

Kyle Williams - #20
Points: 11 vs. University of Northwestern, Nov. 29, 2018
Rebounds: 6 (2x) vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018; vs. McMurry, Nov. 16, 2018
Assists: 7 vs. Bethel University, Nov. 17, 2018

Makete Fru - #22
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Tanner Schmitt - #23
Points: 5 vs. Finlandia, Nov. 10, 2018
Rebounds: 2 (2x) vs. UW-Whitewater, Jan. 13, 2018; vs. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 10, 2018
Assists: 1 (5x) vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018; vs. UW-Green Bay, Dec. 11, 2018 (exh); vs. UW-River Falls, Jan. 20, 2018; vs. Whitworth, Dec. 29, 2017; vs. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 10, 2018

Matt Newman - #24
Points: 3 (2x) vs. UW-Green Bay, Dec. 11, 2018 (exh); vs. Finlandia, Nov. 10, 2018
Rebounds: 5 vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018
Assists: 1 (2x) vs. Finlandia, Nov. 10, 2018; vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018

Peter Shanks - #25
Points: x
Rebounds: 1 vs. UW-La Crosse, Jan. 2, 2019
Assists: x

Carson Moe - #30
Points: x
Rebounds: 2 vs. UW-Green Bay, Dec. 11, 2018 (exh)
Assists: x

Zach Miller - #31
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: x

Peter Brey - #32
Points: x
Rebounds: x
Assists: 2 vs. UW-Green Bay, Dec. 11, 2018 (exh)

Brandon Gilbertson - #33
Points: 10 vs. McMurry, Nov. 16, 2018
Rebounds: 4 (2x) vs. University of Northwestern, Nov. 29, 2018; vs. Bethany Lutheran College, Nov. 27, 2018
Assists: 1 vs. Bethel University, Nov. 17, 2018

Trey Hake - #34
Points: 5 vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 7, 2017
Rebounds: 1 vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 7, 2017
Assists: x

Andrew Niebuhr - #42
Points: 2 (2x) vs. UW-Green Bay, Dec. 11, 2018 (exh); vs. Bethany Lutheran College, Nov. 27, 2018
Rebounds: 3 vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018
Assists: x

Brady Booth - #44
Points: 4 (3x) vs. UW-La Crosse, Jan. 2, 2019; vs. UW-Green Bay, Dec. 11, 2018 (exh); vs. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 10, 2018
Rebounds: 3 vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018
Assists: x

Cam Brussow - #45
Points: x
Rebounds: 1 vs. Michigan Tech, Dec. 15, 2018 (exh)
Assists:


The Last Time...(updated January 10, 2019)

A Stout Individual...
Scored 30 points: 30, John Keefe vs. Crown College, Dec. 7, 2018
Scored 25-29 points: 25, Jon Ciriacks vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018
Recorded 15 rebounds: 15, John Keefe vs. Silver Lake College, Jan. 3, 2016; Jarvis Ragland vs. Bethany Lutheran, Dec. 3, 2014
Recorded 10 assists: 11, Erik Olson vs. UW-Stevens Point, Feb. 13, 2013
Recorded 6 steals: 7, Kyle Williams vs. Bethany Lutheran College, Nov. 27, 2018; 8, by Jerrel Enerson-Matthews vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 21, 2008

A Stout Team...
Had five players score in double digits: vs. Bethany Lutheran, Nov. 29, 2017: Zach Dahl (17); Keegan Dickson (13); Isaac Elliott (10); Sam Ortmann (10); Joe Duty (10); 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. UW-Oshkosh, Jan. 5, 2018, John Keefe (22), Jon Ciriacks (13), Zach Dahl (11), Kyle Williams (10); vs. Cardinal Stritch, Dec. 29. 2018, Jon Ciriacks (20), John Keefe (17), Zach Dahl (14), D'Marcco Patrick (10); vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 4, 2018, John Keefe (24), Luke Geiger (15), Zach Dahl (12), Braden Walbeck (12); vs. Lawrence, Nov. 9, 2018, Jon Ciriacks (16), Luke Geiger(15), John Keefe (12), D'Marcco Patrick (10); vs. UW-Eau Claire, Jan. 17, 2018, Isaac Elliott (21), Sam Ortmann (15), Keegan Dickson (13), Zach Dahl (12); vs. UW-Stevens Point, Jan. 6, 2018, Isaac Elliott(22), Sam Ortmann (14), Zach Dahl (13), Joe Duty (12); vs. Finlandia University, Dec. 10, 2017, Isaac Elliott (19), Joe Duty (19), Zach Dahl (17), Sam Ortmann(10); vs. Silver Lake College, Dec. 7, 2017, Sam Ortmann (17), Isaac Elliott (15), Adam Mackey (13), Jon Ciriacks (11); vs. Colorado College, Nov. 18, 2017, Brandon Emery (11), Keegan Dickson (11) Isaac Elliott (25), Sam Ortmann(14); vs. Marian University, Nov. 17, 2017, Joe Duty (21); Zach Dahl (15); Isaac Elliott (15); Brandon Emery (13);
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: 57 vs. Puget Sound, (12/30/17) 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: 6, 2017-18 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 Isaac Elliott vs. UW-La Crosse, 2/14/18; 12-12, Duke Severson vs. Augsburg, 1959-60; 11-11, Nate Templer vs. La Crosse, 2/12/03;10-10 Isaac Elliott vs. UW-Eau Claire, 1/17.18; 8-8 Isaac Elliott vs. UW-Oshkosh, 2/17/18; 8-8, Erik Olson vs. UW-Superior, 1/30/13; 8-8 Jon Ciriacks vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018; 8-8 Luke Geiger vs. Northland College, Dec. 21, 2018
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

TEAM-SINGLE GAME
Most Points: 124, vs. Valley City State, 12/11/71; vs. Marian College, 1/24/86
Most Field Goal Attempts: 116, vs. UW-Oshkosh, 12/08/67
Most Free Throw Attempts: 74, vs. UW-La Crosse, 1/10/53
Fewest Free Throw Attempts: 0, vs. Ashford University, 1/26/13
Most Field Goals Made: 54, vs. Valley City State, 12/11/71
Most 3-pt Field Goals Made: 20, vs. Crown College, 11/20/10; 16, vs. UW-River Falls, 2/7/2018; 16 vs. Crown College, 2/15/11
Most Free Throws Made: 40, vs. Bethel College, 12/8/98
Best Field Goal Percentage: 65.4%, vs. UW-Eau Claire, 2/1/17
Best Free Throw Percentage: 100%, vs. UW-La Crosse (16-16), 2/12/03; vs. UW-Oshkosh (15-15), 1/7/17; vs. UW-Superior (13-13), 2/3/04; vs. UW-Oshkosh (11-11), 12/10/05; vs. UW-Oshkosh (10-10, 2/1/03
Most Rebounds: 90, vs. Northland, 11/28/67
Most Assists: 37, vs. Marian College, 1/24/86
Most Fouls: 38, vs. UW-Whitewater, 12/04/71

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