2009-2010 Men's Basketball Preview

INDIANOLA, Iowa (Nov. 16, 2009) -The Simpson men's basketball team and head coach Bruce Wilson hope a new season brings new results. The Storm has a wide range of youth and experience on the squad and benefits from the services of one of the best big men in the Iowa Conference in Tim Dunlavy.

"Last year we had a very difficult non-conference schedule playing six nationally ranked opponents and we had injuries to two of our backcourt players after semester break," Wilson said. "We lost confidence and never got into a good offensive flow necessary to get over the top in the conference race. We have to develop better team chemistry, but we feel very positive about the early development of this year's team. We plan to be back in the race this season."

Post

The centerpiece of Simpson's game-plan for the last two years, Tim Dunlavy (6-4, 220, Sr., Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) enters the 2009-10 campaign coming off a career-year in 2008-09. A two-time first team all-conference performer, Dunlavy has averaged over 15 points per game the past two seasons, including a career-best 16.2 last season to go along with 6.8 rebounds per game. He ranked fourth in the league in both points and rebounds, and is well on his way to becoming Simpson's 17th 1,000-point scorer, entering the year with 966.

"Tim has been a great leader and competitor in his career," Wilson said. "He is a very consistent performer and always plays hard. Tim has done a great job this year helping in the development of our young post players and will be our go-to player again this season."

With solid depth at the post position, Simpson has a number of viable options complementing Dunlavy in the paint. After battling injuries a year ago, JJ Vanderheiden (6-6, 230, Jr., Glidden, Iowa/Glidden Ralston) looks to factor into the mix this season. After appearing in 14 games as a freshman in 2007-08, Vanderheiden saw action in only three games in 2008-09. After a full recovery, the junior is healthy and ready to contribute at the five-spot for the Storm.

Peter Jorgensen (6-9, 205, Sr., Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) brings three years of experience to the table. After appearing in 11 games as a freshman and sophomore, the three-year letterwinner saw his minutes jump in 2008-09. Another returner, Taylor Nederhoff (6-6, 235, Jr., Wellsburg, Iowa/AGWSR) has an opportunity to play a larger role in 2008-09 after seeing action in nine games a year ago.

"JJ, Peter, and Taylor have steadily improved in their time in our program," Wilson said. "Each one has his own strengths and will be called upon to contribute to the team this season as we work to improve."

A pair of freshmen should factor into the mix down low as well. John Cord (6-5, 185, Fr., Atlantic, Iowa/Atlantic) and Rob King (6-6, 225, Fr., Glenwood, Iowa/Glenwood) have impressed the coaching staff in the preseason and will get a chance to show what they can do at the collegiate level.

"John and Rob have done a good job in practices so far and we look forward to seeing their progress as the season unfolds," Wilson said. "They are both from excellent high school programs that have prepared them well for college."

Shooting Guards/Forwards

Another three-year letterwinner, Andrew Dau (6-4, 205, Sr., Primghar, Iowa/South O'Brien) leads a group of predominately young off-guards. Experiencing increased production each year since coming on the scene as a freshman, Dau added another dimension to his game last season. Distributing 40 assists combined in his first two seasons, Dau dished out 44 in 2008-09, second on the team. Averaging a career-best 6.9 points per game as a junior, Wilson looks for Dau to give the Storm a solid outside scoring threat.

"Andrew has been a great leader and example for our team," Wilson said. "He is a great student and works very hard in the off-season to improve. I look for him to have an excellent senior season."

After a solid freshman campaign, Zack Barragan (6-0, 180, So., Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) should see significant playing time in his second season. As a freshman, he appeared in 19 games (starting six), averaged 5.5 points per game and hit 20 three-pointers, the third-highest of any returner.

"Zack had a very good freshman year and will have a better sophomore season," Wilson said. "He is tough and competitive and his experience from last year has prepared him for his role on the team this year."

Juniors David Fouch (5-10, 160, Kirksville, Mo./La Plata) and Justin Kuiper (6-1, 180, Sheldon, Iowa/Sheldon) will vie for time on the wing. Fouch saw action in 11 games a season ago, averaging 9.6 minutes and 2.2 points per contest. Senior Kenny Lents (6-1, 190, Greenfield, Iowa/Nodaway Valley) returns to the team after sitting out a season, adding depth and athleticism on the outside.

A pair of freshman will also compete for playing time on the outside, as Anthony Miller (6-1, 185, Sacramento, Calif./Buena) and Ryan Stumbo (6-2, 180, Laurens, Iowa/Laurens-Marahton) have each shown promise in the preseason.

"We don't have a lot of varsity experience with these wings players but they have been competing hard to find ways to make an impact on the court," Wilson said. "The development of this group of men will be critical to the success of the team.

Point Guard

Running Simpson's offense at the point for the second year in a row will be Matt Fouch (5-10, 160, Jr., Kirksville, Mo./La Plata). Fouch handed out a team-high 61 assists against only 42 turnovers (1.45 assist-to-turnover ratio) and led the team with 38 steals in 2008-09, as he ranked sixth in the league in assists and fourth in steals. He averaged 6.2 points per game and shot 40.3 percent from beyond the arc (24-67). Wilson expects Fouch to continue to run the team efficiently this season.

"Matt has shown improvement every year in the program and he has become our coach on the floor as he has developed," Wilsons said. "He had a good sophomore season and he will be a great leader for this year's team."

A pair of newcomers in freshman Elijah Knox (6-2, 160, Scotsdale, Ariz./Cactus Shadows) and junior transfer Brandon Sharp (5-9, 165 Grinnell, Iowa/Grinnell) will also get a chance to run the point for the Storm this season.

"Elijah and Brandon are learning our system and making steady improvement as the season progresses," Wilson said. "Their development will be very important as we go through this season."

Schedule

Simpson's 2009-10 non-conference schedule includes a season-opening trip to Rock Island, Ill. to face Augustana and tournaments at Illinois College (Nov. 20-21) and UW-Platteville (Nov. 28-29). Simpson also hosts in-state rival Grand View on Nov. 24 at Cowles Fieldhouse.

In conference play, Simpson will get two cracks at each team, opening the slate with a road trip to Central Dec. 2. Simpson hosts 2008-09 Iowa Conference Champion, Buena Vista, Feb. 10 to close out the regular season home schedule.

"We look forward to the new season and our team is working hard to improve the 2009-10 Simpson Storm," Wilson said. "The IIAC is always very competitive and we plan on being in the hunt in the last two weeks of February leading up to the IIAC Tournament."