The MSOE Raider Men's Basketball team is getting better and stronger every year. Brian Miller, in his sixth season at the helm, is coming off a second place finish in the Northern Athletics Conference South Division, with a 11-5 conference record, 18-8 overall. The Raiders basketball team was ranked 26th in the nation in field goal percentage, 30th in steals per game and 38th in assists per game.
MSOE graduated Jamel Sabree, Andy Voigt and Matt Morgan from the 2008-09 roster, but return two of the team's most talented players in All Conference picks: Austin Meier (Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh West H.S.) and Jeremy Off (Hartford, Wis./Slinger). Meier, a first team all conference selection and 2007-08 Freshman of the Year, has been everything that Coach Miller thought he would be: a threat to score and a defensive stalwart. Meier was ninth in the nation with 3.3 steals per game, while averaging 13.8 points per game. He also led the team in rebounding, averaging 8.0 per game. "He fills up the stat box in all of the categories," said Miller. "He makes the plays that you don't script for. He is as complete a player as there is in the conference, if not in the Midwest."
To win a conference title, the Raiders cannot rely on Meier's ability alone. His complement is the 6'4" center Off. Off was the biggest surprise of any Raider last season, as he finished the year ranked second in the nation with a 67.3 field goal percentage. In 2008, Off played 27.8 minutes per game, averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. "Off really expanded his game last year," said Miller. "He is an inside/outside threat right now. Last year, he shot close to 40% from the three-point range." Miller speaks highly of his captains Meier and Off as great basketball players that have the skills to succeed on the court. "Their (Meier and Off) best weapon is their hands. They just come up with the ball," said Miller. "They have phenomenal hands. Both are strong and physical, competitive individuals." Their grades are also an asset to the team. "Both are potential academic All Americans," said Miller of the architectural engineering/construction management major Meier and the mechanical engineering major Off.
Also returning to the starting lineup is Bennett Deacon (Burlington, Wis. /Catholic Central). A 6'0" junior guard, Deacon averaged almost 10 points per game. "Deacon had a really great second half of the season," said Miller. "He brings us the deep three-point shot and is really athletic. He will counted on to provide scoring and play-making."
Luke Larson (Ashland, Wis./Ashland) a 6'5" senior forward is returning from an injury he suffered towards the end of the season. He averaged 4.7 points in 15 minutes per game. Austin Kearns (Slinger, Wis./Slinger) and Tyler Morgen (Howards Grove, Wis/Howard's Grove) will contribute to the team's guard position. Kearns, a 5'10" sophomore, had a great freshman year, despite seeing a strong assist-to-turnover ratio. "He brings a lot of toughness and energy to the lineup," said Miller. Morgen is also held in high regard by coach Miller."Morgen brings stability, ball handling and leadership to the lineup."
The Raiders open their season with their toughest exhibition game to date: a Nov.7 matchup against one of the NCAA Division I's best teams in the Marquette Golden Eagles. The game takes place in the Bradley Center with tipoff set for 1 p.m. Look for the Raiders to be challenged by the likes of St. Norberts, UW Superior and the University of Chicago as part of their non-conference schedule. MSOE will have to get past NAC foes Benedictine, Lakeland and defending champion Aurora University for the team to receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
