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Storyline
Lindenwood opens the 2010 season this week when it hosts the Texas Roadhouse Classic Nov. 5-6. The Lions will face a pair of nationally-ranked programs who appeared in last year's NAIA Division I National Tournament.
The Lions return two all-conference performers in Richard Rose and Brett Thompson. Rose led the team in scoring and ranked in the top ten in the nation in free throw percentage. Thompson was second on the squad in points and rebounds per game, and led the Lions in total blocks. Role players Tyler Donaldson, David King, Brandon Kunkel, and Alfred Nelson return as well.
The Lions will play No. 8 McKendree on Friday in the team's home opener, and No. 2 Southern Nazarene on Saturday. Lindenwood-Belleville will round out the field for the fourth annual tournament.
Two of Lindenwood's biggest wins last year took place at this tournament against No. 1 Robert Morris and No. 23 Life.
Offseason Excitement
Lindenwood added several new faces to the program in the offseason.
Terry Hollander joined the Lion coaching staff after serving as the head coach at local St. Charles West High School for the last 30 years. Hollander guided the Warriors to the school's only state championship in 1995 and 549 career wins.
Lindenwood also announced the additions of NCAA Division I transfers Kramer Soderberg and Alex Bazzell. Soderberg comes from Miami (Ohio) University where he appeared in all 32 games last year for the Redhawks. Bazzell transfers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he started 17 games as a freshman. The two are former players of Hollander, and were the leading scorers on his 2008 squad that finished second in the state.
Lindenwood also bolstered its front court with the additions of 6-8 Efkan Eren and 6-10 Devin Johnson.
High Expectations
For the second straight season Lindenwood was picked as the favorite to win the HAAC Championship according to the preseason coaches poll.
The Lions were selected 14th in the official NAIA preseason poll.
Rose's Contributions
Lindenwood returns its top scorer from last year in Richard Rose. The honorable-mention All-HAAC selection averaged 14.0 points per game, and was the team's top three-point threat and free throw shooter.
Rose connected on a team-high 50 three-pointers last year and shot 39 percent from behind the line. At the free throw line, Rose shot 85 percent, the tenth best mark in the nation. He also led the squad in steals with 38.
Big Man on Campus
The Lions also return all-conference performer Brett Thompson. In 23 games last year, the 6-11 center averaged 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. He also led Lindenwood with 38 blocks, and shot 70 percent from the free throw line.
Home Court Advantage
Lindenwood was 13-1 at the Hyland Performance Arena last season, one of the best home records in school history.
At home, the Lions averaged 71.1 points a game and shot 47.4 percent from the field. Away from St. Charles, the team scored 65.5 points and shot 44.0 percent. Defensively, Lindenwood allowed under 60 points at home, and 62.0 points in its other games.
Rebounding Advantage
Lindenwood was one of the top rebounding teams in the nation in 2009-10.
On the season, the Lions were eighth in the nation and first in the HAAC with a +8.2 rebounding margin.
Lindenwood "O"
The 70 point mark served as a good barometer for wins and losses for the Lions last year. Lindenwood was 13-0 when scoring 70 or more points, and 10-10 in its other games.
The Lions were 16-0 when shooting 45 percent or better from the field, and 13-0 when hitting six or more three pointers.
Defense Wins Ballgames
Lindenwood did not allow an opponent to score over 70 points in its final 28 games last year.
The Lions ranked first in the HAAC in field goal percentage defense and second in scoring defense. Lindenwood was third in the NAIA in scoring defense and 16th in field goal percentage defense.
Top Newcomers
NCAA Division I transfers Kramer Soderberg and Alex Bazzell will look to have immediate impacts for the Lions. Both are expected to start for Lindenwood.
At St. Charles West as a senior, Soderberg was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri and was also named the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Player of the Year.
Bazzell was twice named to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch all-metro second-team. As a senior, he was the conference MVP and an all-state selection.
Ranked Victories
Lindenwood posted five wins last year against nationally-ranked teams and were 5-2 overall versus ranked opponents.
The Lions are scheduled to play four teams ranked in the NAIA preseason poll this season, including three top ten teams, as well as HAAC opponent Evangel twice.
Improved Record
Lindenwood's 23 wins last year were tied for second all-time in program history. It also marked just the fifth time in school history that Lions reached the 20-win plateau.
Lindenwood Classic History
The Lions have a record of 3-3 in their own tournament, but have won three of the last four including two wins over ranked opponents Robert Morris and Life last year.
Last Year
McKendree used a 12-0 run after halftime to turn a one point game into an eventual 17 point second half lead, and went on to defeat Lindenwood 73-62.
Individually, Richard Rose had 17 points, including nine-of-10 from the charity stripe for the Lions. Kenny Detmer led the Bearcats with 15 points and nine rebounds.
McKendree is 7-2 against Lindenwood since the start of the 2003-04 season.
Scouting McKendree
The No. 8 McKendree Bearcats return three starters from last year's squad led by reigning AMC Player of the Year and NAIA first-team All-American Eric Hobbie.
Hobbie led the team in scoring with 16.7 points per game and was second in rebounding with a 6.6 average. Other top returners for the Bearcats are Sean Rakers who averaged 9.4 points, and Brad Copelin who posted 9.3 points.
The Bearcats are led by Harry Statham who is the all-time wins leader in men's college basketball history at the four-year level with 1,022 career victories.
Scouting Southern Nazarene
The No. 2 Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm return all five starters from its 2009-10 team, including first-team All-American Xavier Alexander.
Alexander averaged a team-high 17.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. A.J. Thomas was second on the squad with 13.4 points per game and had a team-leading 145 assists.
Southern Nazarene is led by third year coach Adam Bohac who guided the team to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division I tournament last year.
Up Next
The Lions will host NCAA Division II Maryville on Nov. 11, and Concordia Seminary the following day.
