Defending MIAC champions begin 2022-23 season

The reigning MIAC champion St. John’s basketball team began their season on Tuesday with an 84-80 loss to No. 15 UW-La Crosse.

The Johnnies, ranked 25th in the country, were outscored 45-33 in the first half before storming back in the second half and losing by the skin of their teeth. Key returning players junior Ryan Thissen and sophomore Kooper Vaughn combined for 42 points to lead the Johnnies offensively. Senior Carson Schoeller and junior Brandon Adelman also finished with double-figure points to add to the Johnnies’ offensive success. With the departure of four-year starter Zach Hanson and three-year starter Colton Codute, the Johnnies need some players to step up not only on the court but also in the locker room.

“Guys who had a lot of experience will be missed, but it allows for other guys to step up,” Thissen said.

Thissen, Vaughn and senior Mitchell Plombon are all returning starters for the Johnnies, and they will be among those players who step into a leadership role.

“Not just what they do on the floor but how they impact the group and make other guys around them better is a goal for those three guys,” head coach Pat McKenzie said.

Plombon, who averaged nine points per game last season, is a player who has been integral to the Johnnies’ success on both sides of the ball the previous two years. However, this year he will be without Hanson, his counterpart in the post for the last two seasons. Hanson’s impact will need to be replaced by Plombon and other players.

“For me, it’s about locking in every day and trying to be the best I can be, because those are big shoes to fill,” Plombon said. “We have another great player, Carson Schoeller, as well. He’s a 6’9” big man. He’ll be able to fill in for [Hanson], too.”

Thissen, who led the Johnnies in scoring last year with 13 points per game, worked over the offseason to build on his strong sophomore season and take a step forward to lead the team this year.

“I definitely want to keep building on that [in] any way I can contribute to the team, whichever way that is,” Thissen said. “It could be scoring more or finding the open player and having confidence that he’ll knock down a shot, finding ways to win and get points on the board.”

Part of the Johnnies’ offensive success comes with their three-point shooting prowess. Last season they ranked fifth in Division III in three-point shooting percentage at 39% from behind the arc. Returning players who shot above 40% from three-point range last year include Vaughn, Schoeller and junior Blake Berg. On Tuesday, the Johnnies continued their success from three-point range, shooting 8-19 (42.1%), led by Vaughn (4-7) and Schoeller (3-6). Vaughn led the MIAC in three-point field goals with 70 and shattered the SJU first-year single-season record of 53. Offensively, the Johnnies have a lot of players who can score the ball when needed.

“We’re pretty balanced. We have a lot of guys that can score, and it would not surprise me if we have games with multiple guys in double figures,” McKenzie said.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Johnnies were the best in the MIAC a year ago, only allowing 61.1 points per game. This year’s team returns many vital players familiar with the team’s defensive mindset.

“We have some guys that can guard multiple positions, and I think we’re quicker this year than we’ve been in previous,” McKenzie said. “That can translate into some good things that we can do defensively.”

The team also added a talented transfer in sophomore Luke Healy this season. Healy, who transferred from Division II Sioux Falls, averaged 4.3 points per game in 12 minutes his first year. The Hudson, Wis., native has earned high praise from coaches and teammates thus far. Winning the MIAC, returning to the NCAA tournament and making a deep run into the tournament is a common goal among coaches and players.

“I want to get the team back to the NCAA tournament and get out of the first round because usually that’s the toughest game,” Thissen said. “Hopefully we can get on a run, then we will see where we can go.”

Plombon echoed Thissen’s goals and has a big one in mind.

“Winning an NCAA championship is a big goal, but it’s a doable goal and it’s something we need to get better everyday to accomplish,” Plombon said.

McKenzie said this team has the talent to take them where they want to go, but the team must improve some things first.

“So much of it is eliminating beating yourself, taking care of the mistakes that are within your control,” McKenzie said. “Taking care of the ball, keeping teams off the glass and eliminating some of the defensive breakdowns that lead to easy baskets for the other teams.”