Ferris State Game Notes (PDF)

Romeoville, Ill. - The Great Lakes Valley Conference is often considered the toughest Division II Men's Basketball Conference in America.

Lewis University not only competes in the GLVC, but in the conference's brutally difficult East Division. The final National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II Poll of 2011-12 saw four GLVC East Division squads ranked in the Top-20.

Nine of the Flyers' 12 losses last season came to those teams, including four defeats at the hands of National Semifinalist, Bellarmine. That difficult schedule – along with 17 victories - helped Lewis advance to its first NCAA Basketball Tournament appearance since 2008.

“I thought it was a good season,” Lewis seventh-year head coach Scott Trost said. “It showed our young guys what it takes to get that level.

“Now we not only have to get there, but win some games too,” Trost continued. “We had a lot of positives last season and hopefully we can build on that and make some more progress.”

Sophomore tandem Ryan Jackson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Riverside-Brookfield) and Julian Lewis (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) hope to spearhead that progress.

Jackson – a 6-foot-2, 200-pound guard – hit the ground running as a freshman. The Riverside-Brookfield grad started all 28 games that he appeared in, and averaged 13.0 points-per-game – which was second overall on the squad. For his efforts, Jackson was named the GLVC Freshman of the Year and to the Division II Bulletin All-Freshman Team.

“At times last year, Ryan was a go-to scorer for us,” Trost said. “He's worked extremely hard over the summer and it's clear that he has become a better player.

“We're looking to him as a leader and to evolve into one of the better guards in this league.”

Lewis – a 6-foot-5, 205-pound forward – appeared in 28 games last year, including 26 starts. He averaged 7.9 points-per-game and grabbed 5.0 rebounds-per-game, which was second-best on the squad.

“Julian really developed and I think he learned what it takes to be successful at this level,” Trost said. “I think he has a chance to be one of the top rebounders in this league, but now his game needs to evolve on the offensive end and he's definitely capable of that.”

While Jackson and Lewis are still relatively new to the program, Trost's most experienced player is senior David Bryant (Batavia, Ill./Batavia). Bryant – a 6-foot-4, 185-pound swingman – has appeared in all 89 Flyer games over the past three seasons. During his career, Bryant is averaging 7.1 points-per-game and is a 41.2% (100-for-243) shooter from beyond the three-point arc.

“David shoots the ball as well as anybody on our team,” Trost said. “He's emerged as a leader and I know he wants to have a fantastic senior year.

“David's looking forward to the challenge and I'm looking forward to him having a big year.”

Lewis junior guard Nick Valla (Tinley Park, Ill./Marist) figures to play a more prominent role in his second season in a Flyer uniform. Valla – who stands 6-foot-2, 195 pounds – appeared in all 29 games last year and averaged 5.0 points-per-game.

“Nick gives us some versatility on the floor,” Trost said. “He can play the point, play the off-guard and can even play small forward because he's so strong.

“He's a hard-nosed, tough kid that's going to be an important part of what we're trying to do as a program.”

Trost will have to replace graduated point guard Chris McClellan (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Wheeling). McClellan is the best free-throw shooter in school history and ranks second in the Flyer annals in three-pointers made (228).

Trost's choices include sophomore Jeff Jarosz (Lyons, Ill./Morton) and Gabe Williams (Chicago, Ill./Farragut), both of whom saw limited action last season. Jarosz averaged 3.9 minutes in 18 games off of the bench, while Williams appeared in 25 contests and averaged 5.5 minutes-per-game.  

“They've both gained some experience, and with experience comes a little bit of confidence,” Trost said. “Guys make the biggest jump between their freshman and sophomore years.

“(Jarosz and Williams) are talented players, but now they need to be able to lead and direct a team.”

They will be directing a frontcourt that is comprised entirely of freshmen and sophomores, including a 2012 recruiting class that all stand at least 6-feet-6 inches.

Trost is eager to put the freshmen quartet of Paul Baumgart (Canton, Mich./Canton), Brad Foster (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central), David Heckman (Greenwood, Ind./Roncalli) and Kyle Nelson (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) to the test.

“I think those student-athletes are really, really talented they all bring something different to the table,” Trost said. “It's hard for a freshman to step in here and be impact guys, but we need someone to do that at the post.”

Baumgart – who stands 6-feet-7, 205 pounds – is a tireless worker, according to Trost.

“Baumgart's a very active and athletic player,” Trost said. “He has an understanding of how hard you have to work.”

Foster is the biggest of the bunch at 6-foot-8, 230 pounds.

“Foster runs and jumps very well for someone his size,” Trost said. “If his basketball skills keep developing, he has a chance to be one heck of a player.”

Heckman – a 6-foot-6, 210 pounder – is a fundamentally sound player, according to Trost.

“Heckman is a glue guy that does everything well,” Trost said. “He's a great kid who's an extremely hard worker who shoots it well and understands the game.”

Nelson – a 6-foot-7, 215 pound center – can bring it from both the inside and outside.

“Nelson is very skilled,” Trost said. “I think he's going to be a really good player in this league.”

While the Flyer frontcourt may feature four freshmen, sophomore forward David Niggins (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) returns for his second season. Last season, Niggins appeared in 12 games off the bench for the Flyers, averaging 3.2 minutes-per-game.

“David shoots it really well,” Trost said. “He's got an opportunity and he's got to take advantage of it.”

While this may be the youngest team in Trost's coaching career, the Flyer skipper is encouraged by its potential.

“We just have to work and coach and get a lot out our team,” Trost continued. “By no means are we using youth as an excuse.

“This is a process, but we're going to be better in January than we are in November,” Trost continued. “If we get better 1% each day, then we'll be a good team once January rolls around.”