The NEW Official Thread of the Augustana Vikings

[Blue Ridge Viking]

I'll add one observation regarding the three-game losing streak: The three-point defense hasn't been exactly stellar. Wayne, Jamestown and Northern combined to make 47.5 percent of their three-point shots (38 of 80). For the season, no team in the NSIC has given up more makes and attempts from three-point range than Augie.

Opponents are seeing something, though I'm not sure what it is. Augie's defenders seem to be pretty aggressive on their rotations. Perhaps a better basketball mind on this board has some ideas.

[laker]

With a McPizza reference, the only think missing from Augie thread lore of 10 years ago is the Timberwolves talk.

All that is missing is a Robert Vaughn (Dave Krauth) reference.

[Stanger86]

With a McPizza reference, the only think missing from Augie thread lore of 10 years ago is the Timberwolves talk.

[Augieholic]

Went down the rabbit hole of the Augie men’s basketball all time records (thru 2019-2020 btw… update your sh!t Augie SID. Haha)

I wish Schilling had McPizza on staff. Also, I had completely forgotten about male Jordan Spencer.

The idea of Cody dictating work to Cam is the most entertaining theoretical of the season.

[Augieholic]

Just a few random thoughts from the last three games.
1. It will be good to get back on the road. Opposing teams have been shooting the lights out at the Elmen Center.
2. We have really missed Hinker the last 3 games. He played against Wayne but clearly wasn't himself. Sounds like he could be back next weekend.
3. Our 3 point shooting has really suffered. We need TeSlaa and Ferguson to get out of their slumps.
4. Helgren has had probably his best two games of his career in back to back games. It's not always the prettiest but he's been a boost the past two games.

Agreed across the board.

Imagine telling an Augie fan before the season that Brady Helgren would score 20+ points in back to back NSIC games and the team would lose both games. It was incredibly discouraging to get that kind of performance from someone like Brady when he's "filling in" for Hinker and not have a team win to show for it.

Tanner TeSlaa's shooting continues to be maddening. This season his three point shooting was 4-24 in the first four games, then 14-24 over his next four games, and he's been 8-42 in the last seven games. In the games Tanner has made more then one three pointer Augie is 6-1, in games he has made 1 or fewer Augie is 2-6. Through 15 games his 3 point shooting success has the most direct impact on winning and losing besides player availability. I still believe.

[laker]

Went down the rabbit hole of the Augie men’s basketball all time records (thru 2019-2020 btw… update your sh!t Augie SID. Haha)

I wish Schilling had McPizza on staff. Also, I had completely forgotten about male Jordan Spencer.

His last second game winner in the Taylor Center destined him to immortality.

[MrAugustana]

Went down the rabbit hole of the Augie men’s basketball all time records (thru 2019-2020 btw… update your sh!t Augie SID. Haha)

I wish Schilling had McPizza on staff. Also, I had completely forgotten about male Jordan Spencer.

While I think Adam Beyer was the unsung hero of that 2014-2017 or so group (particularly the 2015-16 squad), I also think Jordan Spencer has sort of been quietly forgotten over the past several years, which is a shame, as he is literally the all-time assist leader not just at Augustana, but at any NCAA school in South Dakota (D1 or D2).

Update: Just wanted to mention that, while I did confirm that career assists leader stat against SDSU and USD's record books (where Spencer has well over 100 more career assists than either of their all-time assist leaders), Northern's media record book on their website literally doesn’t have the word "assist" anywhere in it. So I couldn’t confirm against their all-time assist records, if anyone has even kept them.

[Purple Mav Man]

Went down the rabbit hole of the Augie men’s basketball all time records (thru 2019-2020 btw… update your sh!t Augie SID. Haha)

I wish Schilling had McPizza on staff. Also, I had completely forgotten about male Jordan Spencer.

[NSICHoops]

Speaking of defense, that’s the other thing that wins in March. SMSU is intriguing because they have very experienced guys to lead the way but their most talented (in my opinion) players are freshmen. Not as explosive offensively but don’t need to be because defense and length travels.

"defense wins in march" immediately followed by "SCSU doesn't excite me" Haha

[AU Vikings]

Just a few random thoughts from the last three games.
1. It will be good to get back on the road. Opposing teams have been shooting the lights out at the Elmen Center.
2. We have really missed Hinker the last 3 games. He played against Wayne but clearly wasn't himself. Sounds like he could be back next weekend.
3. Our 3 point shooting has really suffered. We need TeSlaa and Ferguson to get out of their slumps.
4. Helgren has had probably his best two games of his career in back to back games. It's not always the prettiest but he's been a boost the past two games.

[Stanger86]

Yep, it’s those two.

Guard play wins in March. Augie has the best playmaking guard in the league and he’s surrounded with shooting and a super athletic big. A couple quality depth pieces off the bench. Can they defend well enough and stay healthy?

Speaking of defense, that’s the other thing that wins in March. SMSU is intriguing because they have very experienced guys to lead the way but their most talented (in my opinion) players are freshmen. Not as explosive offensively but don’t need to be because defense and length travels.

If the NSIC is a two-bid league it needs to be these two. UMD and Cloud don’t excite me as much. And yes I realize Cloud beat Augie, this is merely a projection based on what wins consistently in March. It sucks that the injury bug has bit both of these teams.

When you mentioned the injury bug, for a moment I forgot about Kramer's absence for us. I know it doesn't change the formula, but I think that was what affected our early season as much as anything.

Optimistic take: Not having Kramer might really set us up much nicer for next season, when we won't have Braaten anymore. I was a little concerned about a drop off next season before, but Kramer coming back could help smooth that out and keep a nice little core together.

[GHawks]

Honestly, I'm not sure I disagree. I feel like it's probably between Augie and SMSU.

Yep, it’s those two.

Guard play wins in March. Augie has the best playmaking guard in the league and he’s surrounded with shooting and a super athletic big. A couple quality depth pieces off the bench. Can they defend well enough and stay healthy?

Speaking of defense, that’s the other thing that wins in March. SMSU is intriguing because they have very experienced guys to lead the way but their most talented (in my opinion) players are freshmen. Not as explosive offensively but don’t need to be because defense and length travels.

If the NSIC is a two-bid league it needs to be these two. UMD and Cloud don’t excite me as much. And yes I realize Cloud beat Augie, this is merely a projection based on what wins consistently in March. It sucks that the injury bug has bit both of these teams.

[Stanger86]

I think this is the best constructed roster in the NSIC for postseason play.

Honestly, I'm not sure I disagree. I feel like it's probably between Augie and SMSU.

[GHawks]

Augie's win yesterday afternoon was Cody's best coaching performance of the year. Rensch and Hinker went down with injuries in the first half that knocked both out for the game. The Vikings played 25ish minutes without two starters and still led by double digits nearly the entire time. Amari, Markus, Brady, and Jack stepped up to steer the ship home with aggressive defense and just enough offense.

Tam led the way with 22 points on 8-12FG to continue his efficient journey towards NSIC POY. His ability to manipulate a defense in the halfcourt was on full display. Tanner hit four threes and grabbed 10 rebounds to end another mini slump when he was needed the most.

Augie ends the calendar year in 1st place and starts 2026 with three more home games. Hopefully Hink and Sam avoid extended absences to ensure we see many more meaningful games at the Elmen this season.

Hope those fellas aren’t out for too long. I think this is the best constructed roster in the NSIC for postseason play.

[Augieholic]

Augie's win yesterday afternoon was Cody's best coaching performance of the year. Rensch and Hinker went down with injuries in the first half that knocked both out for the game. The Vikings played 25ish minutes without two starters and still led by double digits nearly the entire time. Amari, Markus, Brady, and Jack stepped up to steer the ship home with aggressive defense and just enough offense.

Tam led the way with 22 points on 8-12FG to continue his efficient journey towards NSIC POY. His ability to manipulate a defense in the halfcourt was on full display. Tanner hit four threes and grabbed 10 rebounds to end another mini slump when he was needed the most.

Augie ends the calendar year in 1st place and starts 2026 with three more home games. Hopefully Hink and Sam avoid extended absences to ensure we see many more meaningful games at the Elmen this season.