Expectations not changing for Peru State despite losing four starters

PERU - While considering how to start the 2019-20 Peru State men's basketball team's season outlook, it appears the start could almost be identically the same as what was written for 2018-19. Having watched practices and a recent scrimmage, the following paragraph is almost identical as to what was written 12 months ago.
 
After losing four starters off of a national tournament team and an All-American, you would expect the team to be in somewhat of a rebuilding mode. However, in head coach Bob Ludwig's third season at the helm of the Peru State men's basketball program, the expectations do not change. 
 
It would appear that even after a 23-win season and another experience in the NAIA DI National Tournament, there are plenty of things they can build off of and improve heading into the new campaign. Although the team loses its top five scorers, there are more returners coming back from the 18-19 season than did so in the 17-18 campaign.
 
Overall, the 'Cats finished with a 23-11 mark and were 15-9 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Bobcats won the Heart's post-season tournament defeating Benedictine (Kan.) on its own court.
 
In the NAIA Division I National Tournament last March, Peru State earned a spot into the national tournament having won the Heart's tournament. The Bobcats faced William Carey (Miss.) in the first round and lost a tough contest 95-89 to a team which made it to the semifinals.
 
Peru State will be opening its season this Friday night in Columbia, Mo., where they will face William Woods (Mo.) in the first round of the Columbia Classic.

Current Roster
 
Presently, there are 17 players on the team which features seven returners – one of which who played two years ago and one who red-shirted last season.
 
The overall team size is much larger with the addition of a junior varsity program which has allowed for some very competitive preseason practices.
 
Guards
 
The guard corps will be led by returning starter Deonte McReynolds (6-0 senior – Chicago). McReynolds became more of a starter in the second part of the season and finished averaging 6.7 points per game while grabbing 2.5 rebounds per contest. Also returning at the guard position are Drew Switzer (6-3 senior – Casper, Wyo.), Blake Petersen (6-3 sophomore – Columbus), Cade Connell (6-3 sophomore – Arnold), and Nick Brannon (6-3 senior – Las Vegas). Switzer, Petersen, and Connell all saw limited action while Brannon red-shirted last season.
 
The newcomers at the guard position include Devon Colley (6-3 senior – Las Vegas – transfer from Tampa University), Henry Tanksley (6-4 junior – Lincoln – transfer from Central Wyoming College), Nate Townsen, Jr. (5-11 junior – Richton Park, Ill. – transfer from Daley Community College), Padyn Borders (5-10 sophomore – Broken Bow – transfer from Central Community College), Brayden Day (6-4 junior – Lincoln – Cloud County Community College), Kendrick Robinson (6-6 junior – Chicago – transfer from Olive-Harvey Community College), and Ante Martinac (6-4 freshman – Zagreb, Croatia).
 
Forwards
 
The two returning forwards include Isaac Simpson (6-7 sophomore – Papillion) and Noah Vasa (6-8 senior – Nebraska City). Simpson played in 29 games and averaged 2.3 points per game while grabbing 1.4 rebounds per contest. Vasa was not part of the team last season, but played in 2017-18 where he averaged 4.8 points per game and added 3.1 rebounds. He also blocked 21 shots.
 
The new forwards to the Bobcat team are O'Nandi Brooks (6-6 senior – Brooklyn, N.Y. – transfer from Hudson Valley Community College), Josh McAuley (6-8 junior – Aurora, Ill. – transfer from Waubonsee Community College), and Julius Sakinis (6-8 senior – Klaidpeda, Lithuania – transfer from Northeast Community College).
 
Red-Shirts
 
Three players are red-shirting this season. They are Ta'Vion Anderson (6-1 freshman guard – Omaha – Omaha South HS), Keyshawn Jenkins (6-1 freshman guard – Lincoln – Lincoln HS), and Andre Soza (5-9 senior guard – Topeka, Kan. – Cloud County Community College).
 
Synopsis
 
Like the opening paragraph, the synopsis for the 2019-20 season is eerily the same. This season the key to success will be winning the turnover battle and controlling the pace of the game on both ends. With so many new players, it will take the team some time to find the right combinations and lineups to make them the most successful. The team wants to play fast but also unselfish to get that balanced scoring output they will need. The Bobcats hope that with several new players, they find themselves back at the national tournament in March.
 
The prognosticators apparently are believing in what Coach Ludwig and his staff can do in terms of recruiting as they earned a spot in the preseason NAIA coaches' poll.
 
With the team being guard heavy, Coach Ludwig expects the team to play fast, while also improving as a defensive team. Coach Ludwig also knows that the team will need to play well on the glass while they have a smaller lineup. In addition, he expects that while the team will play fast to not turn the ball over and to have great shot selections.
 
Schedule
 
Competing in the Heart is always a tough challenge and this year will be no different. The Bobcats, along with three other conference teams, find themselves in the NAIA DI Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll.
 
William Penn (Iowa), the defending Heart league champion, is presently ranked fourth in the poll with Benedictine (Kan.) starting as the ninth-ranked team. Central Methodist (Mo.) is 20^th while the Bobcats are in the initial poll at #25.
 
Dordt (Iowa) is ranked 25^th in the NAIA DII Coaches' Poll. The Bobcats will face them the Saturday after Thanksgiving on the Defenders' home court.
 
In addition, the Bobcats will take on NCAA DI University of South Dakota as a regular-season game on February 4. The Coyotes finished the 18-19 season with a 13-17 mark.
 
Coaches
 
With the addition of a junior varsity program, Ludwig was able to hire Reggie Kindle as a full-time assistant. In addition, long-time coach Mark Ritchie is back for a third season with him on the bench. Joining the trio is first-year graduate assistant Andy McMahon.
 
2019-20 PERU STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
 
For the complete schedule, times, and results, please go to: https://pscbobcats.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
 
11/1       @ Columbia Classic – William Woods University – Columbia, Mo.
11/2       @ Columbia Classic – Columbia College – Columbia, Mo.
11/7       @South Dakota State (Exh.) – Brookings, S.D.
11/16    *Culver-Stockton College – Peru, Neb.
11/20    *Missouri Valley College – Peru, Neb.
11/23    @*Evangel University – Springfield, Mo.
11/29    @ Dordt Classic – Northwestern College – Sioux Center, Iowa
11/30    @ Dordt Classic – Dordt College – Sioux Center, Iowa
12/2       *MidAmerica Nazarene University – Peru, Neb.
12/5       @*Baker University – Baldwin City, Kan.
12/7       *Clarke University – Peru, Neb. (Toy Drive and Performance by the Fantastic Flyers)
12/14    @*Central Methodist University – Fayette, Mo.
12/28    @Concordia University – Seward, Neb.
1/4         *Mount Mercy University – Peru, Neb. (Alumni Basketball Reunion)
1/8         @*Grand View University – Des Moines, Neb.
1/11       @*William Penn University – Oskaloosa, Iowa
1/15       *Benedictine College – Peru, Neb.
1/18       @*Graceland University – Lamoni, Iowa
1/22       @*Missouri Valley College – Marshall, Mo.
1/25       @*Culver-Stockton College – Canton, Mo.
1/27       *Baker University – Peru, Neb.
1/30       @*MidAmerica Nazarene University – Olathe, Kan.
2/1         @*Clarke University – Dubuque, Iowa
2/4         @ University of South Dakota – Vermillion, S.D.
2/8         *Evangel University – Peru, Neb. (Foundation Alumni Chili Feed)
2/12       *Grand View University – Peru, Neb.
2/15       *Central Methodist University – Peru, Neb.
2/19       @*Benedictine University – Atchison, Kan.
2/22       @*Mount Mercy University – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2/26       *Graceland University – Peru, Neb.
2/29       *William Penn University – Peru, Neb. (Senior Day)
 
* = Heart of America Athletic Conference game

Peru State Basketball Season Tickets Available

(Peru, Neb.) – The 2019-20 Peru State basketball season is almost here!
 
Bobcat athletic director Wayne Albury is reminding Bobcat basketball fans that season passes are available for the upcoming season. Albury also notes there is a family season ticket pass is available as well. Both tickets are a considerable savings for those planning to attend upcoming Bobcat roundball.
 
An individual season pass for basketball will be $75. The basketball pass will get one individual into either the women's and/or men's games as most will be doubleheaders. A family season ticket for basketball which admits four individuals is $250.
 
Individual game tickets will be available at the gate. For a men's and women's double-header basketball, the ticket prices are as follows:  Adults - $8, Seniors (65 and older) - $7, Students (ages 7-17) - $5, and Children (age 6 and under) – Free. In addition, Peru State students and staff with appropriate identification are free.
 
For single basketball games, the prices are as follows:  Adults - $6, Seniors (65 and older) - $5, Students (ages 7-17) - $4, and Children (age 6 and under) – Free. Again, with appropriate identification, Peru State students and staff are free.
 
As Peru State is adding junior varsity programs for women's and men's basketball, there will be no cost attend those games when they are not on the same night as a regular-season contest.
 
Information about season passes can be found online at http://bit.ly/2HSI3k2. For questions on the season tickets, contact Lutz at [email protected] or call at 402-872-2350.