Wisconsin Lutheran men's basketball season preview

MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Lutheran College men's basketball team is hoping to use last season's experience to climb the ranks in the Northern Athletics Conference North Division this season. The Warriors finished 5-21 in 2010-2011, including 4-12 against NAC opponents, but several returning letterwinners gained valuable experience during last year's campaign, according to 20th-year head coach Skip Noon.

"The experience we gained last season was very important," says Noon. "Last year was hard for everyone, but the guys have come back strong and have great expectations for the upcoming season."

Noon sees opportunities for his team this season to make a jump in the conference standings, and a tough non-conference slate, highlighted by a matchup with second-ranked Augustana College (Ill.), should benefit his team moving forward.

"Our non-conference schedule is a big challenge and we are looking forward to that," Noon says. "It should help prepare us for conference play as the opportunity is there to make a big jump in the standings this year."

FRONTCOURT
Part of the reason the Warriors are expecting big improvements in 2011-2012 is the return of senior Alex Merbach (Kaukauna, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran). Merbach led the team in scoring (14.7 points per game) and rebounding (6.2 rebounds per game) a season ago. Noon is excited to see what Merbach can accomplish in his second season of being the go-to player for the Warriors.

"Alex's role last season was far different as he went from being a complimentary player to our best player," says Noon. "I think he wants to change what happened last year and also prove that he is one of the better players in our conference."

Merbach will be joined in the frontcourt by a pair of sophomores in Russell Strutz (Sturtevant, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran) and Andy Thusius (Kenosha, Wis./Shoreland Lutheran). Strutz and Thusius combined to make 20 starts last season, with Strutz scoring 6.6 points per game and Thusius adding 5.7 points per contest.

"Russell and Andy both provide excellent things for our basketball team," Noon says. "Russell is an excellent defensive player and a fantastic rebounder, while Andy is a fine offensive player who finishes well and should have some big offensive games for us."

Another player Noon sees contributing to the frontcourt this season will be sophomore Keenan Churchville (Milwaukee, Wis./Northwest). Churchville appeared in 12 games for the forest green and white last year.

"Keenan has a chance to step in and be a contributor," Noon says. "He is long and athletic and has really had a great camp so far."

Freshmen Brett Lubbe (Las Vegas, Nev./Faith Lutheran) and Kyle Stelse (Jefferson, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) are two players who could also add to the frontcourt mix.

"Brett can help us at multiple positions, while Kyle is a really good player who should provide some support on the inside for us," Noon says.

BACKCOURT
The Warriors return several key components to their backcourt this season as five players who made at least one start a season ago are back in the fold in 2011-2012.

Highlighting the list of returners is senior Jeremy Murphy (Chicago, Ill./Clemente) and junior Tim Demuth (Franksville, Wis./Racine Lutheran). Murphy started 25 games last season and was third on the team in scoring at 11.1 points per game. Demuth missed the early part of the season due to injury but returned to make 15 starts and finish second in scoring with 11.9 points per game. He also led the team in assists with 54, despite missing nine games.

"Tim really started playing better down the stretch after fully recovering from his hand injury," Noon says. "Meanwhile, Jeremy had a breakout season last year playing great defensively and taking care of the basketball."

Eric Reed (Fond du Lac, Wis./Winnebago Lutheran), another returning senior, should supply leadership and provide depth to the backcourt. Reed appeared in 25 games last season and will be relied upon for his solid defense.

"Eric is a hard-nose player and a great teammate," Noon says. "His forte is getting after people and he is very tough-minded."

Sophomores Zach Jahns (Jackson, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) and Cody Jackson (Fond du Lac, Wis./Winnebago Lutheran) are players who gained valuable experience last season and will again contribute in 2011-2012. Another player who Noon is excited about this season is junior transfer Nate Bauer (Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran).

"Zach and Cody are a pair of sophomores who I have high expectations for," Noon says. "Nate is a fantastic transfer who will make an immediate impact on the season."

Noon also could see sophomore Taylor Chladek (West Allis, Wis./Nathan Hale) and freshman Sam Kuehl (Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) make impacts in the backcourt in 2011-2012.

"Taylor and Sam are fantastic shooters," says Noon. "I could see each one of them adding to our scoring."

The Warriors will tip-off their season November 15 when they host Silver Lake College in a non-conference contest at the Recreation Complex at 7 p.m. WLC begins conference play hosting defending NAC champion and North Division rival Concordia Wisconsin November 29 at 7 p.m.