Men's Basketball favorites to repeat in NSAA Preseason Coaches' Poll
The Bellevue University men’s basketball team, winners of at least one of a conference regular-season or tournament championship in each of the previous 13 seasons, has been picked to win the conference title in a vote of the NSAA’s eight head coaches.
NSAA Release
2022-23 Roster
2022-23 Schedule
BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Bellevue University men's basketball team, winners of at least one of a conference regular-season or tournament championship in each of the previous 13 seasons, has been picked to win the conference title in a vote of the NSAA's eight head coaches.
The Bruins totaled 56 points, and collected six of the eight first place votes. Mayville State University (49) and Viterbo University (45) each collected one first place vote and were picked second and third, respectively.
Valley City State University edged out Dakota State University 40-38 for fourth and Dickinson State University was close behind in sixth with 31 points. Waldorf University and Presentation College rounded out the poll with 16 and 12 points, respectively.
Despite the graduation of NAIA honorable mention All-American Eric Pierce as well as senior post players Isaiah Bates and Vaj Rice, the Bruins reloaded and return what may be their most experienced roster of the last decade.
Headlining the returners are senior all-NSAA guard Paulo Araujo, reigning NSAA Defensive Player of the Year in senior center Justin Motley, and the unofficial NSAA Tournament MVP in sophomore point guard Vinny Belcaster.
Senior guard Martis Johnson represents the fourth returning starter for the Bruins while sophomore point guard Christian Carter is also back and expects to slot into a starting role.
Several other bench pieces return for Bellevue including their top reserve scorer in junior guard Taylor Pomeroy, sophomore forward Makeem Loudermill, senior guard Jerome Bynum, junior guard Barrett Harms, and sophomore forward Hunter Mengel.
Bellevue welcomes six newcomers into the fold, three of whom should feature heavily in the BU rotation from the opening tip.
Junior guard Raphael Allen (Atlanta, Ga./San Diego CC) and junior forward Keenami Maggard (Oakland, Calif./Los Medanos College) come from elite California junior colleges with plenty of accolades and freshman guard Raydden Grobe (Avoca, Iowa/AHSTW HS) has emerged as a player who really fits the system.
Considerable size makes up the remainder of the newcomers are freshman forward Liam Thompson (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope HS), junior forward Deng Jal (Omaha, Neb./Riverland CC), and Emarr Vinson (Omaha, Neb./Central CC).
Bellevue tips off the 2022-23 season this weekend as they host the Chick-fil-A Classic. The Bruins face Bacone College on Friday, Oct. 28 and Iowa Wesleyan University Saturday, Oct. 29. Both games begin at 7 p.m.