MSU-N BB 2021-22: Lights look poised for a very bright season

Last winter was anything but business as usual for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, last season may have been the most unusual in Northern history.

And that's why the Lights, led by Shawn Huse, the winningest coach in Northern history, couldn't be more excited for the start of the new season, which includes a full slate of games, and a return of fans to the famed Armory Gymnasium. Northern is also excited because the Lights should have one very strong team this season.

"It feels like we did not have a season last year," Huse said. "Nothing beats playing in our gym in front of our fans. Almost one year ago, our preseason ended up being one game. In our first practice back after quarantine we lost one of our key players to injury and had others struggling to get their conditioning back. We are a hard working, conditioning team, and it felt like we lost that whole first two months of stamina. That being said, other opponents had similar challenges and our group did a great job of preparing and fighting each week. Literally almost every game went to the wire. We won a good share, yet ended up on the short end of too many heartbreakers - games that I am confident we win with our fans in the building and all our players in shape and healthy. So I'm so excited to see us get back to normal."

After finishing 6-11 for the year and fourth place in the Frontier, Northern did reach the Frontier semifinals for the 15th time in the last 19 seasons. And with a strong returning group of players mixing with a talented bunch of newcomers, the Lights look to go farther this winter.

"This is a great group of guys top to bottom," Huse said. "I love the character, resiliency and toughness this team has. We have a great core of leaders returning, some bench guys that should step up well this year, and some new guys that should make a big impact for us."

The Lights essentially return court starters from a year ago, including seniors Masco McCadney and David Harris who decided to return for another season granted to them by the pandemic. McCadney was a First-Team All-Conference performer who averaged 16 points and four rebounds per game, while Harris scored 15 points and grabbed six boards on his way to Second-Team honors. Also back is junior Jesse Keltner, who after recovering from an injury, came on strong at the end of last season, as well as point guard C.J. Nelson, who averaged six points per night a year ago.

That group will provide great leadership and a veteran presence for a Lights' squad that also has a host of exciting newcomers.

Tanner McCliment-Call, a transfer from Spokane CC, Anthony Braggs, a transfer from South Puget Sound and Peru State, and Immanuel Anderson, a transfer from Bethel and Southern Arkansas Tech, are players who should give the Lights an immediate impact. The Lights' roster is rounded out by returners T.J. Reynolds, Zyare Ruffin and Micaiah Hauser, as well as William Burns and Terry Holmes Jr.

"This is an unselfish group," Huse said. "I believe we have the potential to attack our opponents in many ways. As the new guys get caught up and our bench gains experience, we should have a team that is in the hunt. It will take some time and patience, though."

The development will take time, but that's what the non-conference season is for. A year ago, the Lights didn't play a non-conference slate due to COVID, but with this game back, Northern's schedule will certainly challenge itself early on.

After opening at home with Dickinson State, the Lights travel to Michigan for three tough NAIA games, before returning home to play a doubleheader against Yellowstone Christian. Northern also plays at DSU, as well as Northwest University of Washington in Great Falls, before hosting perennial NAIA powerhouse our Lady of Lake in Havre Nov. 20. The Cactus Classic in Arizona in December includes three more tough NAIA games, including Arizona Christian, while the Lights close out non-league play with three home games against Canadian schools Dec. 29-31.

"Every game in our non-conference schedule will be a challenge this year.," Huse said. "We have some tough travel and exciting home games. Both scenarios require poise and focus in their own way. Just like conference play.

"Improvement, improvement, improvement," he added. "We know this preseason will present many challenges full of peaks and valleys. We just need to keep learning through it. It will all make us more prepared for league."

Of course, the first three months of the season is to prepare for the rigors of the Frontier Conference. The league will have a set schedule of Thursday night and Saturday day games throughout, and the Lights are picked to finish fourth in the Preseason Coaches Poll.

For now, though, Huse is just focused on his team getting better, and just looking forward to all the things that this season has to offer after such a difficult 2020-21 campaign.

"We're looking forward to a normal season," Huse said. "It has already felt amazing being able to do all the community service things we do, participate in events and support our other Northern teams. We can not wait to get back on the court and play like there is no tomorrow. Our expectations are simple right now - have fun, play every second like it's our last, and let the chips fall where they may. We of course prepare to win, expect to win, and play to win, every week. But mainly, if we have learned anything in the last two years, it is that it can all be gone in a heartbeat. So we just need to chop wood, carry water, and enjoy the season. If we do that, this team is capable of finding a great deal of success."

The Lights open the season next Tuesday against rival Dickinson State in the Armory Gymnasium. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Frontier play begins Dec. 2 at Carroll College and Dec. 4 at home against Providence.