BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary men's basketball team learned a lot of lessons last season but gained many experiences that Marauders head coach Joe Kittell believes will pay off this year.
 
Entering the 2017-18 season, the Marauders roster had just three players who had played in a Northern Sun game. This season UMary features eight players who have competed in a Northern Sun contest, experiences which should make the Marauders voyage in 2018-19 a lot  smoother sailing.
 
Among returning Marauders, junior guard Jaylan White is the most experienced player. A key reserve as a freshman, the St. Charles, IA, native moved into the starting rotation at point guard in the second game of last year. One of the nation's leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio, White averaged 9.3 points per game, 4. 1 assists/game and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the field.
 
Forwards Tom Kubank and Matthew Kreklow are the Marauders two other returning starters. A senior, Kubank averaged 7.2 ppg and started 21 games in his first season with UMary.
 
As a redshirt freshman last year, Kreklow controlled the low post for UMary, starting all 27 games. He was among the conference leaders in blocks (23) and field goal percentage (.543). He also led the team in rebounding (4.3 rpg) and averaged 9.2 ppg.
 
Other key players back from last season include sophomores Connor Hellebust, Wyatt Carr and Lucas Mayer and junior Evan Anderson.
 
Hellebust received his first start of last season in the NSIC playoffs against Southwest Minnesota State University and scored 18 against the South Division champion Mustangs. The Bismarck, ND, native will start this season in the backcourt with White. One of the top UMary threats from behind the arc, Carr hit 42.6 percent of his 3-point attempts and averaged 5.2 ppg. Mayer provided an athletic and active defensive presence in the post and Anderson gave the Marauders stability in the backcourt, appearing in 21 games.
 
One of the Marauders key newcomers also brings Northern Sun familiarity to the squad. Dennis Austin III joins UMary as a graduate transfer after starting at guard for Upper Iowa University the last three years. After redshirting as a freshman, Austin completed his degree at Upper Iowa in four years, making him eligible to transfer with one season of eligibility remaining. A starter on the Peacocks 2016-17 NCAA playoff team, Austin averaged 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds last season as a junior.
 
In addition to Austin, several newcomers will also see playing time. Junior Johnnie Turner, a transfer from a successful North Dakota State College of Science squad, will help White out at the point. Gillette College transfer Richard Brown can provide a spark offensively for the Marauders on the baseline and will work with Kreklow and Mayer. Anderson and a pair of youngsters will see action on the perimeter. Redshirt freshman Justin Engg looks for time on the wing. Freshman guard Trever Kaiser is in the early mix for the backcourt and will dress for the first three games as the UMary coaches decide if the Dassell, MN, native will play this season or redshirt.
 
The Marauders have made the decision to redshirt five players, including four freshmen: guards Jayce Archambault (Solen, ND), Cole Gendreau (Bismarck, ND) and Josh Sipes (Bismarck, ND) and forward Kade Amundson (Bismarck, ND) plus sophomore forward Kiton Ademeso (Lagos, Nigeria/Bismarck State).
 
As the Marauders approach their opening weekend against Henderson State University and Southern Arkansas University in a pair of regional challenge games played in Lancaster, TX, on Nov. 9-10, UMary looks toward White and Austin, the Marauders two most experienced players, to provide leadership for what is still a young team. Upperclassmen White, Austin and Kubank join sophomores Kreklow and Hellebust in the starting lineup with sophomores Carr and Mayer and newcomers Turner and Brown the first wave off the  bench.
 
In addition to leadership from White and Austin, also important to the success for the Marauders is consistent offense from Kreklow and Kubank, plus the ability of Austin to make an impact in the lineup.
 
Since the end of last season, Coach Kittell has emphasized improvement on the defensive side of the ball to the squad.  The overall team development has continued over to this fall with the squad quickly showing the ability to learn.
 
In addition to improving defensively, the Marauders also are emphasizing rebounding, low turnovers and ball movement to create easier baskets. UMary's goal is that assists are awarded on at least 50 percent of all the team's baskets as players provide better scoring opportunities for their teammates.
 
After the Marauders get an initial look at how their offseason development translates on the court against the Reddies and the Muleriders, UMary will visit MSU Billings on November 14. The Marauders first home game is against Yellowstone Christian College on Nov. 16, the start of a six-game home stand.
 
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