SJU opens basketball season, looks to avenge MIAC playoff loss

After losing to Carleton a year ago in the MIAC Championship, head coach Patrick McKenzie and his veteran squad opened the 2023-24 campaign on the road against UW-Eau Claire team on Nov. 14 at Zorn Arena.

Following the opener, the Johnnies will play four more non-conference opponents. The schedule will include a trip to Aberdeen, S.D., to face UW-Platteville and Stockton. SJU will then travel down south to Florida where they will match up with national powers Mount Union and Nazareth College.

This season, the team will look to its upperclassman for leadership including captains Ryan Thissen, Blake Berg and senior Wing Connor Schwob. SJU also brings in new first-year players and two transfers.

“We have the pieces to have a successful season. . . We have some freshmen that are doing a nice job. It is early, and we are still figuring things out. That is part of why we schedule non-conference games,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie is excited to get going with this season’s group of Johnnies. He praised his team’s depth and work ethic in pre-season practices thus far.

“We have really good guard play and depth at that position. I think we have guys that can shoot the ball. The team is as deep at guard in what we have had in some time,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie also praised his leaders this season,who will look to make a big impact in the MIAC conference.

“Teams need leadership, and we have the guys to do it. Berg, Thissen and another juniors were elected captains by their teammates. They have done an outstanding job. Last season, we had a lack of consistency. That is one thing we need to improve on. This starts with the leadership piece,” McKenzie said.

This senior class has had a lot of success throughout their four years at St. John’s. Thissen remembers clearly a NCAA tournament loss to Calvin University as a sophomore.

“I have had a lot of experience and know what it takes to have a winning season. If we aren’t doing the things necessary to win, it becomes obvious,” Thissen said.

The Rosemount native will look to lead by example. Last season, Thissen scored 18.1 points per game and was named to the D3hoops.com All Region 9 third team. He also was a member of the MIAC All-Playoff team as a junior.

“My goal is to be a more vocal leader when things aren’t going well. We have to take the season game by game and stay in the present moment,” Thissen said.

Berg will look to continue his work ethic and cherish every moment. He has been pleased with the team’s energy in the off-season. Last year, he scored 6.4 points per game.

“I am excited to get out and play with the guys. We have a very close, tight-knit group of guys. Coming into the pre-season, you could tell that there has been a different energy in the building. Everybody has come to work, which is good, especially with a tough schedule. Our team goal is to win every day,” Berg said.

Connor Schwob is very excited about his final season of collegiate basketball. Schwob, like Thissen and Berg, has seen what it takes to make a MIAC and NCAA tournament run.

Schwob was named to the College Sports Communicators All-District team a season ago where he shot 9-for-14 from the field.

“I am looking forward to spending time with my teammates and leaving everything I have on the court in my final season at St. John’s University,” Schwob said.