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Who are these guys?

Cupcake?  Bran Muffin?  Are they players or pretenders?

Carroll College is a school probably better known for its football teams than the game they play with a round ball.  While they may not get the attention garnered by the football team, it appears the men suiting up for the Saints in 2011-2012 might be poised to make a little noise for themselves. 

Last year the Carroll College Fighting Saints posted a 23-9 record en route to claiming a share of the Frontier Conference Championship.  Expectations for the upcoming season remain high.  The NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll finds Carroll College listed at No. 23.

The Saints return four starters from last year's championship team, including Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Byago Diouf (6'3").  It seems this might be a pretty good team that just got better.  6-4 junior guard Jordan Weirick joins the Saints after spending a couple years at Southern Utah, where he averaged 4 points per game.  He is joined by transfers Renan Custodio (6'8"), and Darnell "Dee" Crandall (6'3).

Carroll is not a tall team.  None of its players go bigger than 6'8".  I don't see them scoring a lot of points in the paint.  Look for them to push the ball down the floor and do much of their scoring from the perimeter.  The Saints team leader and All-American, Andy Garland (6'5") often lines up at the small forward position.  Opposing small forwards caused a lot of problems for the Zags last year.  Watch this match-up closely.  There's a good chance we can learn a lot about our defense at this position.

A team like this should not be taken lightly.  Remember Ken Bone's Portland State team?

Portland State Stuns #7 Gonzaga

It seems Carroll College is no cup cake.  We just might have a game on Friday night!