The 100th season of Benedictine basketball begins with the Ravens playing against the Broncos of Hastings College in the Cattle Classic. The Ravens will begin the regular season against the Broncos, but they faced off in an exhibition game against NCAA DII rival, Rockhurst, earlier in the week. The Ravens ended up losing 79-68 in a physical matchup. Junior Matt Austin shined in the game scoring 24 points off of the bench. Benedictine returns key players from last year’s NAIA National Tournament team in junior guard Jaiden Bristol, senior guard Wills Wallrapp and senior guard Colby Nickels.
The 2018-19 Heart Freshman of the Year award winner, Eric Krus, will be expected to return to the Ravens in January as he heals from a torn ACL. The biggest question mark for the Ravens this year will come from the two forward positions. Sophomore Jayden Temme looked strong against Rockhurst. Temme will be asked to produce more this season as Krus stays sidelined especially from the 3-point line. Sophomore forward Tyson Cathy will see significant action this season for the first time in a Ravens uniform. Cathy started against Rockhurst scoring 3 points, grabbing 3 rebounds in 17 minutes of action.
The Opponent
Hastings has started their season strongly. The Broncos have won their first two games defeating Friends University 87-76 and Dakota State University 99-84.
The Broncos are coached by Bill Gavers, Gavers has been at the helm of the Broncos team for seven seasons totaling a record of 106-100.
The GPAC 2nd Team All-Conference forward, Bart Hiscock, leads the Broncos. Hiscock has started formidable this year. He is averaging a double-double with back-to-back 30 point games. The Ravens will need to keep Hiscock in check to have a chance against the Broncos in the first game of the Cattle Classic.
Broncos Projected Starting Lineup:
#21 F Bart Hiscock– 30.5 PPG; 10 RPG, 64% FG
#5 F Brendan Lipovsky– 10.5 PPG; 3 RPG,
#23 F Shane Chamberlain– 9.5 PPG; 1.5 RPG
#13 G Logan Cale– 8.5 PPG; 1.5 RPG; 4.5 APG
#35 F Evan Tricker– 8 PPG; 8 RPG
Previous Meeting:
11/8/2013: Ravens 73 Broncos 58
Meeting information
Where: Walz Human Performance Complex at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska
When: Friday, Nov. 1 @ 3 pm.
