The NEW Official Thread of the Augustana Vikings

[Augieholic]

Solid bounce back by the boys on Saturday to get the W in Mankato after a tough loss in St Cloud on Thursday.

Both nights exposed how teams are likely to defend Tam going forward. Full court pressure, denying every inbounds pass, doing everything they can to force anyone else to initiate offense. St Cloud's Anish Ramlall was extremely successful at denying the inbounds pass on Thursday night which had an obvious impact on the Vikings half court offense. Defensive rebounding was also an issue against the Huskies but improved substantially vs Kato on Saturday.

It was a fantastic weekend for Caden Hinker. He was the only one who could create offense on Thursday night and then he won the Caden Bowl on Saturday night with a monster 24-10 night. That offensive lift was vital to overcome an extremely quiet weekend from Tanner on that end.

Back to the Elmen for FIVE STRAIGHT home conference games around the holiday break.

[Blue Ridge Viking]

We fans definitely got our money's worth Saturday and then some. Can someone tell me why the USF announcer kept calling Te Slaa "Turner"? That guy made me miss Tom Frederick.

[Augieholic]

Saturday's win at USF was more of a life experience than a singular game. It's been about 40 hours since it ended and there is still many moments that are hard to believe. Taylen Ashley's performance, especially the first half, had me briefly re-thinking all of the Tam Ferguson NSIC POY stock I've accumulated. Then Sam Rensch shifted over to cover Taylen defensively and that made the situation tenable from an Augie perspective despite the inherent discomfort that comes with watching an Augie All American's brother absolutely torch us for a second consecutive season.

Tameron started slow, for him, but his second half featured multiple head shaking moves that resulted in multiple Cougars falling to the floor. He left the game late in regulation with what appeared to be leg cramps which clearly hindered his ability to create separation in the overtimes. Sam's first half offensive explosion kept Augie in the game with some new found aggression attacking the hoop in addition to his usual outside shooting. Bennett Fried made the two clutch FTs with 3 seconds left in the first OT to get us to the second OT. He had one incredible sequence where he flopped, got up, blocked a jump shot, and took the ball the length of the court and scored. Tanner TeSlaa finished a week of aggressing to his historical shooting averages with several tough baskets and meaningful receptions of critical inbounds passes.

This game did expose defensive rebounding as a potential area of concern. USF had TWENTY offensive rebounds including several put backs that kept them in the game. It made each defensive possession feel like it was never ending and obviously hinders Tam's ability to get out in transition where he is LETHAL.

Onto St. Cloud.

[cat fan]

For the third consecutive time Cody took Bigler to the glue factory. Tameron Ferguson carved up the Stangs for 26 points on 12/13 FG and 11 assists against 3 turnovers. Tanner Te Slaa continued his aggression to his shooting means with a 6/7 night from beyond the arc and Sam Rensch was a tremendous slouch by only going 5/7 from 3.

As team the Vikings were 17/24 from 3 which was just as much fun to watch as it is to type.

POY race is going to be over by Christmas at this rate... wow.

[Stanger86]

For the third consecutive time Cody took Bigler to the glue factory.

It's been about as lopsided as the football series lately.

[Augieholic]

For the third consecutive time Cody took Bigler to the glue factory. Tameron Ferguson carved up the Stangs for 26 points on 12/13 FG and 11 assists against 3 turnovers. Tanner Te Slaa continued his aggression to his shooting means with a 6/7 night from beyond the arc and Sam Rensch was a tremendous slouch by only going 5/7 from 3.

As team the Vikings were 17/24 from 3 which was just as much fun to watch as it is to type.

[MrAugustana]

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 don't believe there were any D1 transfers on the roster Billeter's last year. But when 3 guys left with him, Kirkman left for Mankato and the incoming recruiting class decommitted, Schilling had lots of spots to fill and they weren't all going to be filled with high school seniors. He snagged a set of transfers from SDSU who came as kind of a unit, and, as Augieholic alluded to, the other D1 guys that have since come in are just the way of the world in college basketball now.

If this group continues this level of play and improves throughout the season, we could have a pretty salty squad as the year progresses. Fun to see Coach Schilling putting the pieces together so quickly.

[laker]

Adapt or die.

Thank you Charles Darwin.

[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