2003-04 Men’s Basketball Preview Posted on November 17th, 2003 by

The Gustavus men’s basketball team begins the 2003-04 season with a veteran team that includes four starters and two top reserves from a team that won the MIAC Playoff Championship and advanced to the NCAA Championship game a year ago. Three key seniors are gone, however enough quality players return to give Coach Mark Hanson hope that Gustavus will field another very competitive squad this year. The Gusties have spent the pre-season working on building team chemistry and focusing on identifying the personality and strengths of this year’s team. A new addition to the program is assistant Coach Dave Flom, a 1995 Gustavus graduate, who takes over for the departed Mike Boschee.

The extended post-season opportunity last year allowed several young Gustavus players to gain valuable playing experience heading into this season. Eight letterwinners return including five who averaged over 15 minutes a game of playing time last season. The core returning group includes senior wing Tim Brown, senior wing Eric Nelson, senior point guard Chris TeBrake, senior post Brett Boese and junior wing Doug Espenson. Brown made a big impact for the Gusties last season after transferring from Minnesota State, Mankato. He averaged 14.8 points per game and was named all-conference, all-region and honorable mention All-America. Brown really raised his level of play in the NCAA Tournament as he averaged 17.0 points per game and shot 60.3 percent from the field. Nelson, a 2002 all-conference selection, is a three-year starter, who needs only 37 points to reach the 1,000 point plateau. He is a deadly long-range shooter and a tenacious defensive player. Chris TeBrake moved into the starting lineup last season, after playing regularly as a sophomore, and made a very big impact. A terrific all-around player, TeBrake is a great playmaker, a serious outside scoring threat and an outstanding defensive player. He averaged 9.0 points, 3.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game last season. Brett Boese moved into the starting lineup midway through last season and immediately changed the personality of the team. He is the consummate team player who focuses more on rebounding, help defense and passing than he does on scoring points, however he is capable of scoring when called upon. Boese scored 11 points against UW-Stevens Point and 16 against Hanover in the NCAA Tournament last spring. Doug Espenson came into his own as a sophomore last season and really raised his level of play at the Final Four where he was named to the All-Tournament team after scoring 37 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in two games. He gives the team tremendous versatility with this ability to play both on the perimeter and in the paint both offensively and defensively.

Joining that veteran quintet is senior post Adam Thorson, sophomore post Jonn Wippler and sophomore wing Adam TeBrake. All three received playing time last season but will be called upon to fill the void created by the graduation of David Newell, Derek Nelson and Hans Sviggum. Thorson, who played in 23 games a year ago, will be expected to contribute significantly in the post this season, while Wippler, who played in nine games last year as a freshman, is expected to provide quality depth in the post. Adam TeBrake played in 22 games last year and will be expected to provide quality perimeter play off the bench.

In addition to the eight returning players, Coach Mark Hanson hopes to get some production from a trio of newcomers including Phil Sowden, a 6-5 freshman post from Park Center High School; Jay Stien, a 6-7 freshman post from Sibley East High School; and Andrew Olson, a 5-11 freshman guard from Owatonna High School.

The Gusties will play a very demanding schedule that includes non-conference foes Buena Vista University, Carthage College, Concordia University of California and Thomas More College of Kentucky. Gustavus will play Concordia and Thomas More in Honolulu, Hawaii just before Christmas in the Whitworth Holiday Tournament. In addition, the Gusties will play their very competitive Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule.

2002-03 Statistics

General Information
School Name: Gustavus Adolphus College
Location: 800 West College Avenue, St. Peter, Minn. 56082-1498
Founded: 1862
Enrollment: 2520
Nickname: Gusties
School Colors: Black and Gold
Gym: Gus Young Court
Capacity: 3500
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
President: Dr. James Peterson (Gustavus, 1964)
Athletic Director: Al Molde (Gustavus, 1966)
Athletic Phone: 507-933-7617

History
First year of basketball: 1904
All-time play-off record: 40-24
Years in post-season play: 22
Last post-season appearance: 2003 / Result: Defeated Hampden-Sydney in the national semifinal round before falling to Williams 67-65 in the national championship game.
All-time record: 1207-857

Sports Information
Sports Information Dir.: Tim Kennedy
SID office phone: 507-933-7647
Home phone: 507-934-2642
SID Fax: 507-933-8412
Press Box phone: 507-933-7668
E-Mail: timgasid@gustavus.edu

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Mark Hanson
Alma Mater/Year: Gustavus/1983
Record at school (years): 236-91 (12)
Career record: same
Head Coach’s office phone: 507-933-7037
Best time/day to reach coach: 9:30-11:00am
Assistant Coach: David Flom/Gustavus Adolphus College-1995/1st Season

2002-03 Game-by Game Results

DATE OPPONENT RESULT
Nov. 23 Luther College ` W 71-59
Dec. 2 MARTIN LUTHER W 66-51
Dec. 4 Augsburg W 71-53
Dec. 7 CONCORDIA W 88-65
Dec. 9 ST. OLAF W 67-53
Dec. 27-28 Westmont Tourney
Dec. 27 University of Puget Sound W 77-72
Dec. 28 Westmont College L 58-59
Dec. 30 University of La Verne W 91-77
Jan. 4 HAMLINE W 70-52
Jan. 6 MACALESTER L 65-70
Jan. 8 St. Thomas L 70-74
Jan. 11 ST. MARY’S W 92-57
Jan. 15 St. John’s L 56-58
Jan. 18 BETHEL W 63-57
Jan. 20 Carleton L 64-78
Jan. 22 AUGSBURG W 73-64
Jan. 25 Concordia W 76-58
Jan. 29 St. Olaf W 66-59
Feb. 3 Hamline W 81-56
Feb. 5 Macalester W 59-57
Feb. 8 ST. THOMAS L 51-53
Feb. 12 St. Mary’s W 73-64
Feb. 15 ST. JOHN’S W 68-54
Feb. 19 Bethel W 73-67
Feb. 22 CARLETON W 76-54
Feb. 27 BETHEL MIAC Tournament W65-64
Mar. 1 St. Thomas MIAC Tournament W 62-36
Mar. 6 WHITWORTH NCAA First Round W 65-55
Mar. 8 UW-Stevens Point-Second Round W 75-62
Mar. 14 Hanover-NCAA Sectional W 79-66
Mar. 15 Occidental-NCAA Sectional Final W 74-56
Mar. 21 Hampden-Sydney NCAA Final Four W 79-68
Mar. 22 Williams NCAA Championship Game L 65-67

2003-04 Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time
Nov. 22 LUTHER COLLEGE ST. PETER 3:00
Nov. 25 Buena Vista Storm Lake, IA
Nov. 29 Carthage Kenosha. WI 7:30
Dec. 3 AUGSBURG COLLEGE ST. PETER 7:30
Dec. 6 CONCORDIA COLLEGE ST. PETER 3:00
Dec. 8 St. Olaf College Northfield 7:30
Dec. 20 Concordia University (CA) Honolulu, HI 3:00 (PST)
Dec. 22 Thomas More Honolulu, HI 3:00 (PST)
Jan. 3 Hamline University St. Paul 3:00
Jan. 5 Macalester College St. Paul 7:30
Jan. 7 UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS ST. PETER 7:30
Jan. 10 St. Mary’s University Winona 3:00
Jan. 14 ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY ST. PETER 7:30
Jan. 17 Bethel College Arden Hills 3:00
Jan. 19 CARLETON COLLEGE ST. PETER 7:30
Jan. 21 Augsburg College Minneapolis 7:30
Jan. 24 Concordia College Moorhead 3:00
Jan.28 ST. OLAF COLLEGE ST. PETER 7:30
Feb. 2 HAMLINE UNIVERSITY ST. PETER 7:30
Feb. 4 MACALESTER COLLEGE ST. PETER 7:30
Feb. 7 University of St. Thomas St. Paul 3:00
Feb. 11 ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY ST. PETER 7:30
Feb. 14 St. John’s University Collegeville 3:00
Feb. 18 BETHEL COLLEGE ST. PETER 7:30
Feb. 21 Carleton Northfield 3:00
Home games in bold

Player & Team Information
Overall record last year: 26-7
Conference record/finish: 15-5/2nd
Letterwinners returning/lost: 9/2
Starters Returning/lost: 3/2

Returning Key Players
Eric Nelson, SR, Wing, 6-3, 190, 29.9 min/gm, 9.5 pts/gm, 36.7% 3-pt. Fg shooting, All-Conference 2002
Tim Brown, SR, Wing, 6-5, 210, 31.1 min/gm, 14.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, 46.3% 3-pt Fg shooting, All-MIAC, All-Region, NCAA Sectional All-Tournament Team and Honorable Mention All-America
Chris TeBrake, SR, Wing, 6-1, 175, 29.4 min/gm, 9.0 pts/gm, 42% 3-pt Fg shooting, 2003 MIAC All- Defensive Team, 2002 MIAC 6th Man of the Year
Doug Espenson, JR, Wing, 6-4, 200, 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team, 2002 MIAC All-First Year Team
Brett Boese, SR, Post, 6-4, 205, 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, 63.9% Fg shooting, the Gusties finish the season 17-2 after he moved into the starting line-up.

Key Newcomers
Phil Sowden, FY, Post, 6-5, 225, Brooklyn Park, MN, Park Center
Jay Stien, FY, Post, 6-7, 215, Arlington, MN, Sibley East
Andrew Olson, Guard, 5-11, 180, Owatonna, MN, Owatonna

Key Losses
David Newell, Wing, 6-5, 205, 25.7 min/gm, 12 pts/gm, 6.1 rbs/gm, 62.7% FG
Hans Sviggum, Guard, 5-8, 160, 15.3 min/gm, 3.7 pts/gm, 1.0 ast/gm, 39.1% FG
Derek Nelson, Post, 6-5, 215, 15. 3min/gm, 7.5 pts/gm, 3.1 rbs/gm, 51.3% FG

2003-04 Varsity and Junior Varsity Rosters

Varsity
No. Name YR Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School
3 Andrew Olson FY Guard 5-11 180 Owatonna, Minn.
4 Doug Espenson JR Wing 6-4 200 Mankato, Minn./East
20 Chris TeBrake SR Wing 6-1 175 St. Peter, Minn.
21 Trent Hollerich SO Wing 6-3 165 Good Thunder/LCWM
23 Seth Midura SR Guard 6-0 180 Plymouth/Wayzata
30 Eric Nelson SR Wing 6-3 190 Mendota Heights, Minn./Sibley
32 Brett Boese SR Wing 6-4 205 Rochester, Minn./Mayo
33 Tim Brown SR Wing 6-5 210 Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
34 Adam TeBrake SO Wing 6-5 205 St. Peter, Minn.
42 Jay Stien FY Post 6-7 215 Arlington, Minn./Sibley East
43 Adam Thorson SR Post 6-5 225 Houston, Minn./Rushford-Peterson
44 Phil Sowden FY Post 6-5 225 Brooklyn Park/Park Center
54 John Wippler SO Post 6-6 215 Vadnais Heights, Minn./White Bear Lake

Junior Varsity
No. Name YR Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School
4 Derek Swedberg FY Guard 5-8 160 Howard Lake, Minn./HLWW
10 Tyler Kramer FY Guard 5-10 140 Hayfield, Minn.
11 Todd Goudy FY Guard 5-10 155 Monticello, Minn.
12 Adam Hoffarber SO Guard 5-11 170 Hopkins, Minn.
21 Aaron Madson SO Guard 5-11 168 Mankato, Minn./MVL
23 Derek Dreifke FY Wing 6-1 175 Richfield, Minn.
30 Justin DeGrood FY Wing 6-3 175 Faribault, Minn./Bethlehem Acad.
32 Justin Lien FY Wing 6-5 185 Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
33 Jason Carlson FY Wing 6-3 180 Eden Prairie, Minn.
34 Zach Burke SO Wing 6-2 165 Chaska, Minn./Tualatin
40 Wade Wietgrefe SO Wing 6-3 195 Cottage Grove, Minn.
50 Adam Nemmers FY Post 6-3 185 Sioux Falls, SD./Lincoln

Head Coach: Mark Hanson
Asst. Coaches: David Flom and Jim Arnold

 

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