The NEW Official Thread of the Augustana Vikings

[MrAugustana]

Recent commitment for the Vikes:

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Coats looks long and athletic based on some of his highlights. Never a bad combination in the NSIC. Welcome Don! Looking forward to seeing what you can do in Viking blue and gold next season.

[vikingfaithful]

Augustana welcomes a 3rd 2024 commit Mr. Awit Mamer. Looking forward to watching you.

Viking Men’s Basketball Adds Two to Signing Class - Augustana University Athletics (goaugie.com)

Awit🏁 (@AwitMamer) / X (twitter.com)

[MrAugustana]

For those interested, here's a video of recent signee Awit Mamer:

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Looked for video of Don Coats III, but the only one I found is 3 years old and figured his game has probably developed a little since then, so opted not to post it. But I did see a tweet that said he's 6'7" with a 7'1" wingspan. With him, Brady Helgren, and Dallas Bear on the court, the Vikes could have an incredibly lengthy frontcourt for the next couple of seasons.

[Stanger86]

With him, Brady Helgren, and Dallas Bear on the court, the Vikes could have an incredibly lengthy frontcourt for the next couple of seasons.

That's what Mustang fans thought too....beware of the transfer portal!

[mosofan1]

For those interested, here's a video of recent signee Awit Mamer:

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Looked for video of Don Coats III, but the only one I found is 3 years old and figured his game has probably developed a little since then, so opted not to post it. But I did see a tweet that said he's 6'7" with a 7'1" wingspan. With him, Brady Helgren, and Dallas Bear on the court, the Vikes could have an incredibly lengthy frontcourt for the next couple of seasons.

Donald Coats signed with Missouri Southern out of high school. We redshirted him for a year, so never saw him play. He entered the transfer portal within a couple of days after it was announced that Jeff Boschee was leaving MOSO to take the Pitt job. That's when Donald ended up at Parkland.

[vikingfaithful]

Vikes had the Dragons sweating on Fri. before the familiar shooting woes happened in the 2nd half. Sat. Ike broke out of his funk for 23 points (does anybody know why he got T'd up on Fri.) Arhman and Caden K. had a great weekend and coach is very high on the two. Vikes have 4 winnable road games ahead of them and I'm sure they're saying the same about WSC and us. Anybody with more BB acumen want to chime in on the state of affairs AU roundball is in.

[simple as a $3 bill]

Fink got T'd up for flopping. Rule change this year, no warning.

[Augieholic]

Last weekend was real progress for the Augie men. They did a good job defensively vs Zimmer and Beeninga but got roasted by Logan Kinsey (he's incredible) and Myhren. The first half vs Moorhead was probably the best of the season for Augie, they scored the ball consistently and forced Bergstrasser into a TO where he lit into his team loud enough for all to hear. Now obviously the second half did not go their way but they played Moorhead better than they played Mankato or UMD so that's progress. Saturday they started slow but pounded Crookston in the second half, obviously that result needs to be calibrated for how truly awful Crookston looked but winning is winning.

Overall the biggest bright spots of the weekend were Arhman Lewis and Caden Kirkman. Lewis is making the kind of consistent progress you love to see from a true freshmen, he has the speed to bend a defense, can hit the outside shot, and has touch on his floater when he can't get all the way to the rim. This is the best true freshmen PG to wear an Augie uniform since Jordan Spencer. Caden Kirkman has had his ups and downs but he had two strong games last weekend. He has developed noticeable pick and roll chemistry with Lewis that led to multiple baskets throughout the weekend. Like any young big he still struggles with foul trouble but he did some damage versus Zimmer last Friday night.

[vikingfaithful]

Thought I saw a little bit of Justin Pitts in Arhman Lewis this past weekend. Texas Tom said when he puts some meat on his bones he will be special. Coach also said he likes to be coached hard, which Tom likes of course.

[Augieholic]

Another dominating road win for the Augie men last night. Hinker and Graves did the damage in the first half while Fink was solid all night long. Graves and Lewis (13 assists!!) were extremely active defensively on BJ Davis, holding him to 7 points and 3 FGA.

This midseason turnaround has come out of NOWHERE. The offense that was dead in the water before Christmas break is rising like a Phoenix from the ashes. Crookston, Mary, Northern, and Bemidji aren't the best four teams in the league but when you consider they won all of them by 20+ points and three of them on the road they seem more legitimate.

Hopefully this run continues tonight in St Cloud before a REAL test vs Minot next Thursday.

[Augieholic]

Six in a row. That did not seem possible a month ago but never doubt Texas Tom. Instead of just winning a shootout like they have the last few weeks the Vikings had best defensive effort of the season vs the hottest team in the league. Offensively the shooting wasn't there but they were aggressive and created enough second chances to get it done. Helluva win.

[vikingfaithful]

It was another good day to be a Viking, After leading by 1 at halftime. AU lead by more than 16 points for most of 2nd half. Beavers were visibly frustrated by crafty Vikings. 6 wins in a row for a team that looked bad at the end of Dec. TT knows how to coach.

[vikingfaithful]

Was a beautiful thing 4 true freshmen on the floor at the same time for extended minutes. 19 for Kirkman, 13 Lewis. Lewis kneed in thigh. Very painful. Wish Elmen Center could be renovated into nicer place.

[MrAugustana]

Always enjoy seeing what incoming players are doing in their senior campaigns. Looking forward to seeing Justin Mack alongside Lewis, Laube, etc. in the coming years.

[MrAugustana]

Congrats to Coach Billeter and the Vikings program on securing their 18th straight winning season. Something to be proud of.

Now we just need to figure out a way to win the NSIC Tournament and sneak into the Regional.