The NEW Official Thread of the Augustana Vikings

[Augieholic]

When did Augustana transition to Leaf-era Winona/Margenthaler levels of building a roster through Division I transfers? Has it all been Schilling, or did Billeter start it? SIX Division I transfers on the roster.

Adapt or die.

[laker]

When did Augustana transition to Leaf-era Winona/Margenthaler levels of building a roster through Division I transfers? Has it all been Schilling, or did Billeter start it? SIX Division I transfers on the roster.

I can just hear Lizzo singing, "New man on the Augustana Vikings.............."

[Stanger86]

When did Augustana transition to Leaf-era Winona/Margenthaler levels of building a roster through Division I transfers? Has it all been Schilling, or did Billeter start it? SIX Division I transfers on the roster.

[Augieholic]

Those numbers, across the board, are almost unreal for a point guard with the ball in his hands so much. I think I'm most impressed with the assist-to-turnover ratio (a Billeter favorite stat).

Am I too pessimistic (realistic?) to start worrying about him hitting the portal next year?

It's natural to worry about the portal when any player in a smaller division with multiple years of eligibility left has stats like Tam's. I think most of us saw his ability to dissect defenses, finish around the hoop, and create turnovers as D1 caliber last year but the jump shot was clearly not ready. This year he was added to those strengths AND mitigated the weakness of his jump shot. Maybe this is the last year he wears an Augie uniform but if he does play well enough to draw that kind of interest it likely means Augie won a decent amount of games along the way.

[Blue Ridge Viking]

Te Slaa was good, but Ferguson...oh my, he was outstanding. He simply controlled the game. He absolutely dissected WSC's pressure defense, finding some shots for himself but mostly setting up others. Augie shot something like 60% from 3 in the first half, and while you have to credit the shooters a lot of the open shots were due to Ferguson's ability to penetrate and collapse the Wildcat defense. 20 points, 11 assists, and only 1 turnover. If that doesn't net him NSIC player of the week I'm not sure what would.

Those numbers, across the board, are almost unreal for a point guard with the ball in his hands so much. I think I'm most impressed with the assist-to-turnover ratio (a Billeter favorite stat).

Am I too pessimistic (realistic?) to start worrying about him hitting the portal next year?

[vikingfaithful]

My investment into Hinker Holdings LLC is paying handsome dividends this season and we are better off for it.

Tanner Te Slaa has recovered from his malaise and we are better off for it.

Codys vision for Tameron Ferguson is close to full fruition and it is beautiful.

.ln addition to the regular stuff, these are 3 reasons l am thankful.

[Augieholic]

Te Slaa was good, but Ferguson...oh my, he was outstanding. He simply controlled the game. He absolutely dissected WSC's pressure defense, finding some shots for himself but mostly setting up others. Augie shot something like 60% from 3 in the first half, and while you have to credit the shooters a lot of the open shots were due to Ferguson's ability to penetrate and collapse the Wildcat defense. 20 points, 11 assists, and only 1 turnover. If that doesn't net him NSIC player of the week I'm not sure what would.

Tam has taken an incredible leap this season, when he gets the ball in transition it is highly enjoyable

[cat fan]

Is Tanner Te Slaa back?!? I love it when an aggression to the historical statistical mean comes together.

Last night was one of the best offensive performances of the Schilling era with the exception of the FT shooting. The offensive pace was noticeably faster than previous games and the ball rarely got stuck. Defensively they did their jobs most of the night by making Noll and Ferrin work for their shots. Kerkhoff's explosion in the last five minutes made it a little more dramatic than necessary.

Tam and Caden will get the spotlight and they continue to play at a 1st team All NSIC level but the bench came in and did their jobs. Markus and Amari played hard defensively and kept the Wayne defenders off balance on offense. I will admit I rolled my eyes and groaned at every Connor Kraft three point attempt, and you have time to do both because his shot isnt exactly fast, but they all went in so look who's laughing now.

That was a great way to set the tone for two home games vs inferior opponents after Thanksgiving before two bar fights vs SMSU and USF next week.

Te Slaa was good, but Ferguson...oh my, he was outstanding. He simply controlled the game. He absolutely dissected WSC's pressure defense, finding some shots for himself but mostly setting up others. Augie shot something like 60% from 3 in the first half, and while you have to credit the shooters a lot of the open shots were due to Ferguson's ability to penetrate and collapse the Wildcat defense. 20 points, 11 assists, and only 1 turnover. If that doesn't net him NSIC player of the week I'm not sure what would.

[Augieholic]

Is Tanner Te Slaa back?!? I love it when an aggression to the historical statistical mean comes together.

Last night was one of the best offensive performances of the Schilling era with the exception of the FT shooting. The offensive pace was noticeably faster than previous games and the ball rarely got stuck. Defensively they did their jobs most of the night by making Noll and Ferrin work for their shots. Kerkhoff's explosion in the last five minutes made it a little more dramatic than necessary.

Tam and Caden will get the spotlight and they continue to play at a 1st team All NSIC level but the bench came in and did their jobs. Markus and Amari played hard defensively and kept the Wayne defenders off balance on offense. I will admit I rolled my eyes and groaned at every Connor Kraft three point attempt, and you have time to do both because his shot isnt exactly fast, but they all went in so look who's laughing now.

That was a great way to set the tone for two home games vs inferior opponents after Thanksgiving before two bar fights vs SMSU and USF next week.

[Augieholic]

Another underwhelming weekend for the Vikings as they split in Moorhead after beating SD Mines and falling to BHSU.

First the positives: this is the version of Tameron Ferguson that we all prayed for after the teases we got last season. Hes averaging 21-3-3 on 60% FG- 54% 3pt-77% FT. Hes absolutely lethal in transition offensively and hes got amazing perimeter defensive instincts. Right now hes a first team All NSIC performer with a shot at POY if the team is successful.

On the less enjoyable end is Tanner Te Slaa. Right now hes 5-29 FG and 4-24 from 3. There wasn't a single stretch like this last season which gives me hope this is just a slow start to the season that will aggress to the mean throughout the season. Hes getting mostly open looks similar to last season but the its been ugly after the ball leaves his hand.

One person Ive enjoyed and want more of is Amari Westmoreland-Vendiola. Hes extremely active on defense and rebounds well for a guard. However hes been largely unimpactful on offense which I'm hopeful is coming as he gets more comfortable within the system.

[Augieholic]

Obviously just 2 games into the season but my high hopes have been dashed. Yesterday was a tough loss by 1 but today we got beat bad by a team picked to finish #14 in the MIAA by the coaches. Just a few observations:

1. TeSlaa can't buy a basket.
2. Defense and free throw shooting have been bad
3. I don't understand the substitutions taking out 4 starters at once and bringing in 4 bench players. No bench players have shown anything yet. (Edit: Brady Helgren showed some signs of life in the second half tonight.)
4. Tameron Ferguson has been good so far and his shooting seems improved.

I agree with all of your points. I think that is obviously TeSlaa's worst two game stretch in an Augie uniform and most of the shots yesterday were open looks.

I didnt watch the Mo West game but watched most of yesterday's affair and I'll say NWMo was much better than I expected them to be compared to their preseason rankings in the MIAA polls.

[AU Vikings]

That's my question... Is Augie down, just a bad game, or is there some hope for NW this year? I don't know the answer, but my expectations sure weren't very high.

NW seems to have almost all new players compared to last year. I think they will be better than expected.

[Alfred33]

I didn’t see any of the games, but in just looking at results is it safe to assume NWMSU is better than people expected?

That's my question... Is Augie down, just a bad game, or is there some hope for NW this year? I don't know the answer, but my expectations sure weren't very high.

[Thunder]

Obviously just 2 games into the season but my high hopes have been dashed. Yesterday was a tough loss by 1 but today we got beat bad by a team picked to finish #14 in the MIAA by the coaches. Just a few observations:

1. TeSlaa can't buy a basket.
2. Defense and free throw shooting have been bad
3. I don't understand the substitutions taking out 4 starters at once and bringing in 4 bench players. No bench players have shown anything yet. (Edit: Brady Helgren showed some signs of life in the second half tonight.)
4. Tameron Ferguson has been good so far and his shooting seems improved.

I didn’t see any of the games, but in just looking at results is it safe to assume NWMSU is better than people expected?

[AU Vikings]

Obviously just 2 games into the season but my high hopes have been dashed. Yesterday was a tough loss by 1 but today we got beat bad by a team picked to finish #14 in the MIAA by the coaches. Just a few observations:

1. TeSlaa can't buy a basket.
2. Defense and free throw shooting have been bad
3. I don't understand the substitutions taking out 4 starters at once and bringing in 4 bench players. No bench players have shown anything yet. (Edit: Brady Helgren showed some signs of life in the second half tonight.)
4. Tameron Ferguson has been good so far and his shooting seems improved.