NSIC Men 24-25 Season Award Predictions

[Mark Emmert's Burner]

I wanted to check the pulse of the end-of-season awards & who might y'all thought might be the favorites right now...

Player of the Year - feels like a two-man battle between Antwan Kimmons of Concordia SP & Caleb Van De Griend of Minot. I think I would give a slight edge to Kimmons right now due to CSP being at the top of the conference, and him being the battering ram of a high-paced offense.

Defensive Player of the Year - it'll probably be Charlie Katona of Duluth again. Which I'm more fine with this year than last year (justice for Cliff Cofield), as he's the best defender on the #1 defense in the conference right now. Anyone else folks would lobby for? (Jay Saunders of Wayne would be my outside pick.)

Newcomer of the Year - right now I'm thinking it would be Carson Johnson of MSUM. Luke Haertle of Winona would also be deserving, but Johnson's mid-season call-up to save MSUM's season would probably be recognized.

Coach of the Year - This tends to go to the coach of the #1 ranked team, but since we have no idea who that might be this year this feels a bit more open. Brad Bigler (SMSU), Todd Eisner (Winona), Quincy Henderson (St Cloud) could all get it; heck even Tim Bergstraser (MSUM) could have an argument. But I think even if Concordia SP falls from the #1 spot, I would want Matt Fletcher to get it. The turnaround of a team from 13th in the conference last year to this year's performance has been great, and it's not just that Kimmons came back from injury. Skeete, Kopetzki, and Meyer all got better, and their fast-paced system has tipped the scales in some big wins.

I'll wait to cement my All-Conference predictions until after the weekend, but right now I have certain locks:
First Team locks: Kimmons, Van De Griend, K. Willingham (Mankato), Katona, J. Braaten (SMSU), C. Johnson, Haertle, J. Eagins (Mankato), C. Morisch (Sioux Falls)
At least Second Team locks: L. Winkel (St. Cloud), M. Skeete (CSP), L. Kinsey (MSUM), A. Stevens (SMSU), T. Te Slaa (Augie), I. Thompson (Winona), B. Kopetzki (CSP)
(And a bunch of dudes that could make 2nd team)

[wsuguy87]

I wanted to check the pulse of the end-of-season awards & who might y'all thought might be the favorites right now...

Player of the Year - feels like a two-man battle between Antwan Kimmons of Concordia SP & Caleb Van De Griend of Minot. I think I would give a slight edge to Kimmons right now due to CSP being at the top of the conference, and him being the battering ram of a high-paced offense.

Defensive Player of the Year - it'll probably be Charlie Katona of Duluth again. Which I'm more fine with this year than last year (justice for Cliff Cofield), as he's the best defender on the #1 defense in the conference right now. Anyone else folks would lobby for? (Jay Saunders of Wayne would be my outside pick.)

Newcomer of the Year - right now I'm thinking it would be Carson Johnson of MSUM. Luke Haertle of Winona would also be deserving, but Johnson's mid-season call-up to save MSUM's season would probably be recognized.

Coach of the Year - This tends to go to the coach of the #1 ranked team, but since we have no idea who that might be this year this feels a bit more open. Brad Bigler (SMSU), Todd Eisner (Winona), Quincy Henderson (St Cloud) could all get it; heck even Tim Bergstraser (MSUM) could have an argument. But I think even if Concordia SP falls from the #1 spot, I would want Matt Fletcher to get it. The turnaround of a team from 13th in the conference last year to this year's performance has been great, and it's not just that Kimmons came back from injury. Skeete, Kopetzki, and Meyer all got better, and their fast-paced system has tipped the scales in some big wins.

I'll wait to cement my All-Conference predictions until after the weekend, but right now I have certain locks:
First Team locks: Kimmons, Van De Griend, K. Willingham (Mankato), Katona, J. Braaten (SMSU), C. Johnson, Haertle, J. Eagins (Mankato), C. Morisch (Sioux Falls)
At least Second Team locks: L. Winkel (St. Cloud), M. Skeete (CSP), L. Kinsey (MSUM), A. Stevens (SMSU), T. Te Slaa (Augie), I. Thompson (Winona), B. Kopetzki (CSP)
(And a bunch of dudes that could make 2nd team)

I think Coach Eisner has to get some serious consideration here. Literally rebuilt the team from almost zero (respect to Conner Drew) and has the team in position to make the regional and win the conference. Not sure there's another coach out there that can match that this year.

[Augieholic]

This is always one of my favorite exercises of the season, I'm glad you got it started. Here are my picks:

Player of the Year: Caleb Van De Griend
This is razor thin between him and Kimmons but I lean towards the man from a land down under. He's leading all of D2 in rebounding, averaging a 21-13 during NSIC play, and can bully anyone in the league within the paint.

Defensive Player of the Year: Creighton Morisch
The coaches are going to do something lame like pick Katona or reward someone from SMSU for playing at a slow pace. That's their problem. Morisch is second in defensive rebounds, leads the league in blocks, and anchors one of the better defenses in the league.

Newcomer of the Year: Luke Haertle
Again it's close between Haertle and Carson Johnson from Moorhead, but I lean towards the man from Winona because he's done it all season for a team that may win the conference.

Coach of the Year: Matt Fletcher
Eisner rebuilt his entire squad, besides Connor Drew, but Winona has history of being a competent program, Concordia does not. Fletcher deserves his flowers from pushing a perennial doormat to the brink of a conference title.

1st Team All Conference: Van De Griend, Kimmons, Morisch, Willingham, Eagins, Haertle, Charlie Katona, Logan Kinsey, Carson Johnson, Marcus Skeete, Luke Winkel, Jakob Braaten
2nd Team All Conference: Aeron Stevens, Grant Reid, Wyatt Hawks, Akoi Akoi, Sam West, Isiah Thompson, Ben Kopetzki, Connor Drew, Cade Meyer, Tanner Te Slaa, Taylen Ashley

[Mark Emmert's Burner]

This is always one of my favorite exercises of the season, I'm glad you got it started. Here are my picks:

Player of the Year: Caleb Van De Griend
This is razor thin between him and Kimmons but I lean towards the man from a land down under. He's leading all of D2 in rebounding, averaging a 21-13 during NSIC play, and can bully anyone in the league within the paint.

Defensive Player of the Year: Creighton Morisch
The coaches are going to do something lame like pick Katona or reward someone from SMSU for playing at a slow pace. That's their problem. Morisch is second in defensive rebounds, leads the league in blocks, and anchors one of the better defenses in the league.

Newcomer of the Year: Luke Haertle
Again it's close between Haertle and Carson Johnson from Moorhead, but I lean towards the man from Winona because he's done it all season for a team that may win the conference.

Coach of the Year: Matt Fletcher
Eisner rebuilt his entire squad, besides Connor Drew, but Winona has history of being a competent program, Concordia does not. Fletcher deserves his flowers from pushing a perennial doormat to the brink of a conference title.

1st Team All Conference: Van De Griend, Kimmons, Morisch, Willingham, Eagins, Haertle, Charlie Katona, Logan Kinsey, Carson Johnson, Marcus Skeete, Luke Winkel, Jakob Braaten
2nd Team All Conference: Aeron Stevens, Grant Reid, Wyatt Hawks, Akoi Akoi, Sam West, Isiah Thompson, Ben Kopetzki, Connor Drew, Cade Meyer, Tanner Te Slaa, Taylen Ashley

I don't hate any of these picks! Morisch is an inspired choice, though I do also suspect the coaches will pick a more conventional/familiar choice.

[Stanger86]

Coach of the Year: Matt Fletcher
Eisner rebuilt his entire squad, besides Connor Drew, but Winona has history of being a competent program, Concordia does not. Fletcher deserves his flowers from pushing a perennial doormat to the brink of a conference title.

The Kelly Boe disrespect!

[wsuguy87]

This is always one of my favorite exercises of the season, I'm glad you got it started. Here are my picks:

Player of the Year: Caleb Van De Griend
This is razor thin between him and Kimmons but I lean towards the man from a land down under. He's leading all of D2 in rebounding, averaging a 21-13 during NSIC play, and can bully anyone in the league within the paint.

Defensive Player of the Year: Creighton Morisch
The coaches are going to do something lame like pick Katona or reward someone from SMSU for playing at a slow pace. That's their problem. Morisch is second in defensive rebounds, leads the league in blocks, and anchors one of the better defenses in the league.

Newcomer of the Year: Luke Haertle
Again it's close between Haertle and Carson Johnson from Moorhead, but I lean towards the man from Winona because he's done it all season for a team that may win the conference.

Coach of the Year: Matt Fletcher
Eisner rebuilt his entire squad, besides Connor Drew, but Winona has history of being a competent program, Concordia does not. Fletcher deserves his flowers from pushing a perennial doormat to the brink of a conference title.

1st Team All Conference: Van De Griend, Kimmons, Morisch, Willingham, Eagins, Haertle, Charlie Katona, Logan Kinsey, Carson Johnson, Marcus Skeete, Luke Winkel, Jakob Braaten
2nd Team All Conference: Aeron Stevens, Grant Reid, Wyatt Hawks, Akoi Akoi, Sam West, Isiah Thompson, Ben Kopetzki, Connor Drew, Cade Meyer, Tanner Te Slaa, Taylen Ashley

I actually kind of forgot to consider the coach at CSP. He is probably quite deserving as well. That team is legit.

[Mark Emmert's Burner]

My final predictions for who will win the end-of-season awards...

Player of the Year: Antwan Kimmons - Concordia SP
It really feels SO close between him and Caleb Van De Griend, but I think Minot's slide from the top will sway some coaches to give it to the guy leading the #1 seed.

Defensive Player of the Year: Charlie Katona - Duluth
Again, the conventional pick. I personally would lobby for Jay Saunders at Wayne for being the tip of their pressure defense, but Katona is not a bad pick by any means.

Newcome of the Year: Carson Johnson - MSUM
Luke Haertle could still get it and would be very deserving, but MSUM coming back from a 1-5 slide in early January to grab the #3 seed mostly off the play and revitalized offense around Johnson is quite the story.

Coach of the Year: Matt Fletcher - Concordia SP
It would end up being the coach of the #1 seed again, but I don't mind that this year, especially since CSP was 13th last year.

1st Team All-Conference:
Antwan Kimmons (Concordia SP)
Caleb Van De Griend (Minot)
Kyreese Willingham (Mankato)
Charlie Katona (Duluth)
Jakob Braaten (SMSU)
Carson Johnson (MSUM)
Luke Haertle (Winona)
Justin Eagins (Mankato)
Creighton Morisch (Sioux Falls)
Luke Winkel (St Cloud)
Marcus Skeete (Concordia SP)
Logan Kinsey (MSUM)

I feel pretty confident that Kimmons through Morisch will make 1st team. Winkel is deserving of a 1st team slot after his strong play once inserted into the starting lineup. Skeete & Kinsey should get slots on 1st team as the 2nd guy on very good teams that are solid all-around players. Could see Stevens or *John Sutherland??? sneaking up to this.

2nd Team All-Conference:
Aeron Stevens (SMSU)
Ben Kopetzki (Concordia SP)
Isaiah Thompson (Winona)
Connor Drew (Winona)
Tanner Te Slaa (Augie)
Jacob Jennissen (MSUM)
Cade Meyer (Concordia SP)
Wyatt Hawks (St. Cloud)
Reid Grant (Crookston)
Cody McCullough (Wayne)
Ayouba Berthe (Minot)
Noah Puetz (Sioux Falls)

Just missed: Akoi Akoi (Augie), Josh Brown (Duluth), Nate Dahl & Lucas Morgan (St. Cloud), *John Sutherland??? (Bemidji)

*My main indecision was what to do with John Sutherland. His stats are good and he has 1st-team pedigree. But he only played 16 games and wasn't eligible for stats leaderboard in the conference. To that you could say, "Well Carson Johnson only played 17 games and also isn't eligible for stats leaderboard." And I wouldn't argue that! But I think coaches will still consider him since he's the engine behind the current #3 seed in the conference, while Sutherland lead the #12 team. As far as I know, there's no minimum number of games for consideration, so I think there will be some split decision in his results. I truly wouldn't be surprised by 1st team, 2nd team, or off altogether.

Otherwise, I think Stevens through Meyer should all definitely be on at least 2nd team. I feel like St. Cloud will get at least two guys, and think Hawks will be picked as the best big & rebounder for the Huskies. Reid Grant will get in for counting stats and trying to do anything good on a bad team (UMary & Northern don't have any guys to that caliber). I think McCullough will be the Wayne pick over Matt Noll due to his stout defensive presence. I think coaches will want a 2nd Minot guy and Berthe was more consistent than Jalen Cook and has better scoring stats than Sam West. The last pick is a shot-in-the-dark between Puetz and the just missed guys. Picked Puetz for having better stats than Brown and Sioux Falls getting a 2nd guy before Augie does. (My personal votes for 2nd team: Sam West instead of Reid Grant and John Sutherland instead of Noah Puetz.)

[Mark Emmert's Burner]

I'll take a quick run at the women's side, despite seeing much less of that side this year...

Player of the Year: Bri Stoltzman - SMSU
Defensive Player of the Year: Lindsey Becher - Concordia SP
Freshman of the Year: Alexis Rose - Sioux Falls
Coach of the Year: Amanda Johnson - Concordia SP

1st Team All-Conference:
Bri Stoltzman (SMSU)
Natalie Bremer (Mankato)
Lydia Haack (Concordia SP)
Lindsay Becher (Concordia SP)
Madelyn Bragg (Northern)
Emma Miller (Crookston)
Destinee Bursch (Mankato)
Kami Wadsworth (Sioux Falls)
Audrey Swanson (SMSU)
Rianna Fillipi (Northern)
Bergan Kinnebrew (UMary)
Michaela Jewettt (Northern)

2nd Team All-Conference:
Jada Eggebrecht (St. Cloud)
Peyton Blandin (SMSU)
Natalie Nielsen (SMSU)
Natalie Jens (MSUM)
Terryn Johnson (MSUM)
Emma Mogen (Minot)
Maya Fitzpatrick (Wayne)
Hannah Burg (Augustana)
Myra Moorjani (Duluth)
Abby Berge (MSUM)
Alana Zarneke (St. Cloud)
Olivia Gamoke (Winona)

Just missed: Alexis Rose (Sioux Falls), Ashton Safranski (MSUM), Leah Generud (Concordia SP)

[Purple Mav Man]

I'll take a quick run at the women's side, despite seeing much less of that side this year...

Player of the Year: Bri Stoltzman - SMSU
Defensive Player of the Year: Lindsey Becher - Concordia SP
Freshman of the Year: Alexis Rose - Sioux Falls
Coach of the Year: Amanda Johnson - Concordia SP

1st Team All-Conference:
Bri Stoltzman (SMSU)
Natalie Bremer (Mankato)
Lydia Haack (Concordia SP)
Lindsay Becher (Concordia SP)
Madelyn Bragg (Northern)
Emma Miller (Crookston)
Destinee Bursch (Mankato)
Kami Wadsworth (Sioux Falls)
Audrey Swanson (SMSU)
Rianna Fillipi (Northern)
Bergan Kinnebrew (UMary)
Michaela Jewettt (Northern)

2nd Team All-Conference:
Jada Eggebrecht (St. Cloud)
Peyton Blandin (SMSU)
Natalie Nielsen (SMSU)
Natalie Jens (MSUM)
Terryn Johnson (MSUM)
Emma Mogen (Minot)
Maya Fitzpatrick (Wayne)
Hannah Burg (Augustana)
Myra Moorjani (Duluth)
Abby Berge (MSUM)
Alana Zarneke (St. Cloud)
Olivia Gamoke (Winona)

Just missed: Alexis Rose (Sioux Falls), Ashton Safranski (MSUM), Leah Generud (Concordia SP)

https://northernsun.org/news/2025/2/...announced.aspx

[Purple Mav Man]

My final predictions for who will win the end-of-season awards...

Player of the Year: Antwan Kimmons - Concordia SP
It really feels SO close between him and Caleb Van De Griend, but I think Minot's slide from the top will sway some coaches to give it to the guy leading the #1 seed.

Defensive Player of the Year: Charlie Katona - Duluth
Again, the conventional pick. I personally would lobby for Jay Saunders at Wayne for being the tip of their pressure defense, but Katona is not a bad pick by any means.

Newcome of the Year: Carson Johnson - MSUM
Luke Haertle could still get it and would be very deserving, but MSUM coming back from a 1-5 slide in early January to grab the #3 seed mostly off the play and revitalized offense around Johnson is quite the story.

Coach of the Year: Matt Fletcher - Concordia SP
It would end up being the coach of the #1 seed again, but I don't mind that this year, especially since CSP was 13th last year.

1st Team All-Conference:
Antwan Kimmons (Concordia SP)
Caleb Van De Griend (Minot)
Kyreese Willingham (Mankato)
Charlie Katona (Duluth)
Jakob Braaten (SMSU)
Carson Johnson (MSUM)
Luke Haertle (Winona)
Justin Eagins (Mankato)
Creighton Morisch (Sioux Falls)
Luke Winkel (St Cloud)
Marcus Skeete (Concordia SP)
Logan Kinsey (MSUM)

I feel pretty confident that Kimmons through Morisch will make 1st team. Winkel is deserving of a 1st team slot after his strong play once inserted into the starting lineup. Skeete & Kinsey should get slots on 1st team as the 2nd guy on very good teams that are solid all-around players. Could see Stevens or *John Sutherland??? sneaking up to this.

2nd Team All-Conference:
Aeron Stevens (SMSU)
Ben Kopetzki (Concordia SP)
Isaiah Thompson (Winona)
Connor Drew (Winona)
Tanner Te Slaa (Augie)
Jacob Jennissen (MSUM)
Cade Meyer (Concordia SP)
Wyatt Hawks (St. Cloud)
Reid Grant (Crookston)
Cody McCullough (Wayne)
Ayouba Berthe (Minot)
Noah Puetz (Sioux Falls)

Just missed: Akoi Akoi (Augie), Josh Brown (Duluth), Nate Dahl & Lucas Morgan (St. Cloud), *John Sutherland??? (Bemidji)

*My main indecision was what to do with John Sutherland. His stats are good and he has 1st-team pedigree. But he only played 16 games and wasn't eligible for stats leaderboard in the conference. To that you could say, "Well Carson Johnson only played 17 games and also isn't eligible for stats leaderboard." And I wouldn't argue that! But I think coaches will still consider him since he's the engine behind the current #3 seed in the conference, while Sutherland lead the #12 team. As far as I know, there's no minimum number of games for consideration, so I think there will be some split decision in his results. I truly wouldn't be surprised by 1st team, 2nd team, or off altogether.

Otherwise, I think Stevens through Meyer should all definitely be on at least 2nd team. I feel like St. Cloud will get at least two guys, and think Hawks will be picked as the best big & rebounder for the Huskies. Reid Grant will get in for counting stats and trying to do anything good on a bad team (UMary & Northern don't have any guys to that caliber). I think McCullough will be the Wayne pick over Matt Noll due to his stout defensive presence. I think coaches will want a 2nd Minot guy and Berthe was more consistent than Jalen Cook and has better scoring stats than Sam West. The last pick is a shot-in-the-dark between Puetz and the just missed guys. Picked Puetz for having better stats than Brown and Sioux Falls getting a 2nd guy before Augie does. (My personal votes for 2nd team: Sam West instead of Reid Grant and John Sutherland instead of Noah Puetz.)

https://northernsun.org/news/2025/2/...announced.aspx

[Mark Emmert's Burner]

Welp, once again I did better on the women's side despite seeing much less of their game. Probably some over thinking on my part. (Went 12-for-12 on men's first team, though!)

On the men's side, I was happy to see Creighton Morisch get DPOY. I didn't think they'd give the nod to a guy that anchors the 10th-ranked defense in the NSIC, but there's no denying he's the best rim protector and 2nd-best rebounder (behind Van De Griend) in the conference.

My biggest surprise was Ben Kopetzki not making an All-Conference team. I get that people might feel like he's the 4th option on that team, but he played the perfect off-ball game with Kimmons, shooting very well from 3 and executing smart secondary drives. I think that's more valuable to have represented on All-Conf than 2nd (Joshua Brown of Duluth) or 3rd options (Dunwa Omot) having more middling years.

Otherwise I picked the wrong 2nd St. Cloud guy & Wayne guy, and I guess the John Sutherland thing was solved by putting him on 2nd team, which I get.

[Moorhead123]

Too bad NSIC awards don’t include NSIC tournament games as Tim Bergstrasser has a very strong case for that recognition after what he (and his staff) did this season.

[GHawks]

Too bad NSIC awards don’t include NSIC tournament games as Tim Bergstrasser has a very strong case for that recognition after what he (and his staff) did this season.

How long is MSUM going to be able to keep him around? I think the success of McCollum and Schertz is going to have more AD’s looking at very successful D2 guys.

[simple as a $3 bill]

How long is MSUM going to be able to keep him around? I think the success of McCollum and Schertz is going to have more AD’s looking at very successful D2 guys.

I don't think they have a whole lot to worry about, he is a very grounded guy and likes Moorhead a lot. Better question is, how low is the percentage that they keep Johnson. Keeping him may automatically make Tim the 25-26 COY.

[Stanger86]

How long is MSUM going to be able to keep him around? I think the success of McCollum and Schertz is going to have more AD’s looking at very successful D2 guys.

It took Schertz 11 years at LMU before getting a Division I opportunity. It took McCollum 15 years at NWMSU before getting his Division I opportunity.

The only current NSIC coach with that kind of resume of longevity and sustained success is Matt Margenthaler. Guys like Bergstraser and Wieck would probably need another 5-10 years of sustained success to get an opportunity like that. Right now, there's no guarantee they could build programs even to the degree Paul Sather has done at UND so far....