UMAC coaches eye Bethany Lutheran as men's basketball team to beat

Posted by Brian Curtis on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008

With help from Greg Johnson, Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Sports Information Director ST. PAUL (Nov. 7, 2008) – Bethany Lutheran College was predicted to win the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) men’s basketball championship, according to the preseason coaches’ poll. The University of Minnesota, Morris Cougars were picked fifth in the poll. "We have size, strength and speed in that class and they will have to play a lot of minutes for us" Paul Grove, men's basketball coach at the University of Minnesota, Morris. UMM returns only three players that saw significant playing time last season in Phil Allen, Eric Dalbey and Dan Fragodt. Allen was the leading scorer in the UMAC during the 07-08 season and is expected to repeat his performance, but he is starting this season on the shelf with a stress fracture in his foot which also bothered him last season. He is expected to be back for conference games, but will miss significant time this fall. Eric Dalbey and Dan Fragodt are both coming off good seasons and will be expected to do more for the young Cougars in 08-09. Kendell Proell, a transfer student from NDSCS, will take over the point guard duties for the Cougars. UMAC Release