| Head Coach |
Aaron Griess (Colorado College '93; 5th year, 41-61 at Augsburg, 112-122 overall) |
| Assistant Coaches |
Ryan Kershaw (St. Olaf '04, 3rd year)
Charlie Scott (Augsburg '07, 2nd year)
Jake Phillips (Carleton '07, 2nd year) |
| 2008-09 |
15-12 overall, 12-8 MIAC (t3rd/12) |
| Starters Returning/Lost |
4/1 |
| Letterwinners Returning/Lost |
13/2 |
| Key Returners |
Jon Cassens (SR, G, 6-1), All-MIAC, Academic All-MIAC, started every game for Augsburg last season, averaged 12.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per-game, led the MIAC in assists per-game (4.41).
Andy Grzesiak-Grimm (SO, F/P, 6-8), MIAC All-First-Year Team, played in 26 games, averaged 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per-game.
David Olson (SR, G, 6-1), started every game for Augsburg last season, averaged 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per-game, finished third in the MIAC in steals (45).
Brett Sorensen (SO, F, 6-2), played in 27 games, averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per-game.
Ben Flavin (JR, G, 6-0), played in 27 games, averaged 4.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per-game.
Cory Polta (SO, F, 6-8), played in 27 games, averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Matthew Quammen (JR, G/F, 6-4), played in 26 games, averaged 7.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per-game, led the Auggies in three-pointers made (38).
Anthony Humphrey (JR, F, 6-2), played in 15 games, averaged 2.7 points and 1.1 rebounds per-game.
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| Key Newcomers |
Zach Krumwiede (JR, G, 6-2), played 2006-07 season with the Auggies, averaged 8.0 points per-game and 3.5 rebounds per-game.
Marcus Brumm (FY, F, 6-4), quarterback on the Auggie football team this fall, transfer from MSU-Mankato where he redshirted with the football program, three-time all-conference and two-time captain in basketball at Lakeville South HS.
Zach Eastman (FY) |
| Key Losses |
Nate Alm (SR, F, 6-6), All-MIAC, D3hoops.com All-West Region (third team), MIAC Player of the Week (Feb. 9), averaged 13.4 points per-game, 9.1 rebounds per-game, 52.3% field-goal percentage, fifth all-time on school's career free throw percentage list (81.8%), eighth all-time on school's career rebounding average list (8.1 rpg).
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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College men's basketball team returns four starters and 13 letterwinners from a squad that finished tied for third in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings last season, advancing to the semifinals of the MIAC postseason playoffs for the first time in coach Aaron Greiss' tenure.
Augsburg represents the only team in the MIAC to improve their winning percentage the last three seasons consecutively and, according to Griess, constant improvement will be the theme for the Auggies again this season.
"Our goal is to go out and play each game trying to improve. We have improved talent, work ethic and team chemistry and we are looking to keep that going," said Griess, entering his fifth season at Augsburg.
Veteran guards
Jon Cassens (SR, Prior Lake, Minn.) and
David Olson (SR, Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS) will lead the Auggies as they make a push to return to the top of the MIAC standings. Cassens, an All-MIAC performer last season, led the MIAC in assists per-game (4.41), averaging 32.6 minutes per-game, 12.0 points per-game and 2.7 rebounds per-game and will again be looked at to captain the Augsburg offense.
Olson also returns to the guard position due to the change in the MIAC's redshirt transfer rule, which allowed him to gain back a previous year of eligibility. Olson averaged 27.2 minutes per-game last season and was the Auggies leading defender, ranking third in the conference in steals per-game (1.67), while averaging 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per-game.
Also returning on the perimeter will be the duo of
Ben Flavin (JR, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) and
Matthew Quammen (JR, Victoria, Minn./Holy Family HS). The duo combined for just over 37 minutes per-game last season with Quammen leading the Auggies in three-point field goals (38), while Flavin connected on 23-of-64 (.359) from behind the arc.
Other returners that are expected to contribute at the forward position will be
Brett Sorenson (SO, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South HS) and
Anthony Humphrey (JR, Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle HS). Sorenson averaged 20 minutes per-game last year and gained valuable experience in his first year under the Auggie system. Humphrey transferred to Augsburg at the semester break last year and connected on an impressive 7-of-18 (.389) from behind the three-point arc.
Despite the loss of All-MIAC and All-West Region preformer
Nate Alm to graduation, the Auggies return All-MIAC First-Year honoree
Andy Grzesiak-Grimm (SO, Wyoming, Minn./St. Francis HS) and
Cory Polta (SO, Spring Lake Park, Minn.). Grzesiak-Grimm averaged 26 minutes, 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per-game in his Auggie debut season, while Polta averaged 3.4 points per-game, with an impressive .549 field goal percentage.
"Cory has done an exceptional job throughout the preseason. He is emerging as a leader in the program on an off the floor. His development is continuing on the floor and we're looking for big things from him as he gains more experience in game situations," commented Griess.
With the large number of returners and mix of talented newcomers, the Auggies are optimistic about the upcoming season. "Our returning leadership will be a big key for us this year. In any season there are ups and downs and if anyone understands this, it's our returners. It's important for us to keep an even keel throughout the year and bring maximum concentration, intensity, and energy every time we take the floor."
The Auggies will open their season officially with two nonconference games at the Crown College Tournament (Nov. 20-21) before opening conference play at Hamline on Dec. 2. Over the holiday break, Griess and the Auggies will head to Puerto Rico to take on the University of the Virgin Islands.
