Men's basketball team looks forward to "fun" season

The Simpson men's basketball team turned some heads in 2010-11 after a six-game improvement from the year before.

This season, second-year head coach Charles Zanders and the Storm are looking for more.

"Our goal every year is to win the Iowa Conference Championship," Zanders said. "This team is made up of extremely hard-working young men who are hungry to raise an IIAC Championship banner for the first time since 1998."

Zanders' first year at the helm brought an exciting, up-tempo style of play that produced results not seen in Cowles Fieldhouse in recent years.

Simpson ended a three-year drought by returning to the Iowa Conference Tournament for the first time since 2007, advancing to the semifinals after a first-round win over Buena Vista. Picked to finish last in the preseason coaches poll, the Storm finished tied for fourth after going 8-8 in conference play.

With four starters and six letterwinners returning from last year's 12-15 team, the excitement promises to intensify.

"We'll be a fun team to watch," Zanders said.

In addition to a potent offense, Zanders knows the key to a successful season lies on the defensive end of the floor.

"A commitment to the defensive end of the floor will be key," Zanders said. "I have a lot of confidence in our offense, but I really want us to be lock-down defenders. This team is deep and fast, two of the main ingredients to a very good defensive unit. The last part of the equation is the desire and heart to do it."

Leading Simpson's group of core returners is senior shooting guard, Zack Barragan. A fixture in the lineup the past three seasons, Barragan's 12.5 points per game led the team ago en-route to honorable mention all-conference honors. A threat from beyond the arc, Barragan's 61 3-pointers ranked third in the league, connecting on 42.4 percent of his attempts. Barragan developed a reputation as the Storm's go-to player in the clutch, hitting last-second, game-winners over Loras and Cornell during the year.

After transferring from Division II Minnesota-Crookston at the semester break last year, senior center Cornelius Mosby made an immediate impact. Standing 6-8 with great athleticism, Mosby transformed into a double-double machine at the end of 2011. A second team all-conference performer, Mosby finished second on the team in scoring with 12.1 points per game and led the conference with 9.3 rebounds per game and 2.46 blocked shots per game. He posted double-doubles in four of the last eight games and tied a school record with 24 rebounds at Central on Feb. 9.

Junior point guard Elijah Knox broke onto the conference scene in 2010-11, leading the league in steals (2.08 per game) and ranking third in assists per game (3.92). An honorable mention all-conference pick, his 1.36 assist-to-turnover ratio was fifth in the conference. A rangy defender and contributor, Knox is also a capable scorer, averaging 9.4 points per game last year.

Senior guard Stefon Brown started all 27 games for the Storm a year ago and brings an explosive scoring threat to the lineup. Brown averaged 9.3 points per game and scored a career-high 23 in an 83-76 loss to Dubuque on Jan. 29.

Brown will be reunited this season with former high school teammate, Chad Boston. A senior, Boston transferred to Simpson from Clarke University and earned two letters from Southwestern Community College before that. Boston and Brown played for Zanders when he was the head coach at Des Moines Hoover High School, helping the team to an undefeated Iowa State Championship in 2006.

Zanders is confident his seniors – Barragan, Boston, Brown and Mosby – will provide steady leadership for the team.

"Our upper classmen will set the tone for this season," Zanders said. "Our four seniors will be the heart-beat of this team. We will go as they go on most nights. We won't depend on one individual to carry this team – we have to do it collectively and our system dictates those results."

Other key role players returning include Eric Lande, Ryan Stumbo and Marcus Barnett. A 6-6 forward, Lande appeared in 25 games off the bench as a freshman and will cause matchup problems for opponents. A junior guard, Stumbo was a steady contributor off the bench in 2010-11 and looks for an increased role this season. Barnett saw limited action a year ago but will be a solid option at point guard behind Knox.

Mix in a talented group of newcomers and Zanders and the Storm look to exceed the progress made last year.

"I'm excited to see how this team finishes when it's all said and done," Zanders said. "I plan on enjoying the ride because it could  be a very special season."

Simpson tips off the 2011-12 season Tuesday, Nov. 15 on the road at AIB College of Business. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.

2011-12 IIAC Preseason Coaches Poll