• Head coach Blake Sandquist returns four players with starting experience
• Sophomore Angelo Winkel is top returning scorer with a 12.5 average
• Several newcomers expected to contribute to Bears success

The DMACC men's basketball team will open the 2023-24 season in the Southeastern Classic November 3 and 4 at West Burlington. The Bears will face Malcolm X College (MXC) in their season opener on Nov. 3 and will play Carl Sandburg College (CSC) on Nov. 4.

Second-year head coach Blake Sandquist's team has four players with starting experience returning for their sophomore season. They are Angelo Winkel of Algona, Elijah Thomas of Surprise, Ariz., Victor Desmond of Onalaska, Wis., and James Glenn of Altoona.

Winkel started all 32 games the Bears played last season, averaging 12.5 points and 6.6 rebounds a game. Thomas started 24 of 29 games and averaged nine points a game and Desmond started 29 of 31 games and ended the season with a 7.5 scoring average. Glenn, who redshirted last season, started just three times during the 2021-22 season, but saw playing time in all 36 games.

"We're excited to have (Glenn) back," Sandquist said. "He probably would have been our best guard last year, maybe our best overall player before breaking his wrist and having to red shirt,"  Sandquist said. "That redshirt year has made him a better overall player and we're excited about the season he is about to have. He can really shoot the basketball."

Sandquist said sophomore Trey Lewis of Johnston will be the fifth starter. Lewis played at Drury University last season.

"He's a really dynamic point guard," Sandquist said. "He can shoot from anywhere on the court, has a great feel for the court and will be a key to how we play and what we do on a day-to-day basis."

Sandquist, who led the Bears to a 24-8 overall record and a second-place finish in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) last season, said he expects his team to be stronger offensively this season. The Bears averaged 82 points a game last season and scored more than 100 points in two preseason games this fall.

"Our guys can play really well together," Sandquist said. "They share the ball. We're still a work in progress and can get a lot better, especially on the defensive end, but I really like the way we have shared the basketball and come together as a team."

Other returnees from last season include Ethan Thomas of Greenfield, Wis., and Quensy Ferguson of Des Moines.

Newcomers expecting to see playing time include freshman De'Shon Fisher of Iowa City, freshman Demerius Shakur of Milwaukee, Wis., sophomore Sam Hytinen of Delafield, Wis., freshman Omar Elchazli of Katy, Texas, freshman Trevian Carson of Des Moines and freshman Nathan Ruisch of Johnston.

"We are probably 10 or 11 deep," Sandquist said. "I'm super excited with the depth we have."

Sandquist said he wants his team to play an up-tempo game, especially because of the depth he has.

"Our goal is to play fast, especially when you have a deep team," Sandquist said. "I want to be able to play a lot of guys and playing fast falls into that. We'll probably substitute a lot quicker than most teams, just to keep our guys fresh. Our goal is to score and play fast."

Sandquist said his team also has to play well in the half-court.

"When you get to the end of the season and play in the regional tournament and the national tournament you have to play well in the half-court," Sandquist said. "All levels of basketball games are won in the half court, not just defensively, but offensively as well. We work on both of those. If you can score fast and get easy shots, that can lead to a lot of success."

Sandquist sees his team's depth and its ability to share the basketball and play well together as strengths.

"Our guys have truly bought in to not just selfish accolades but are focused on winning and making sure everyone gets a piece of the pie," Sandquist said.

Sandquist said his team still has a lot of things to work on offensively and defensively and the players have to stay healthy.

"Anytime you are trying to compete for a championship there is luck involved and hopefully that rolls on our side," Sandquist said. "We'll do our best to prepare and see how this plays out."

Following their participation in the Southeastern Classic, the DMACC men's basketball team will open the home season against the William Penn University Junior Varsity (WPUJV) on Nov. 7. Game time is 7 p.m.