2012-13 Big Sky Conference Basketball Countdown: North Dakota

The 2012-13 basketball countdown begins with the men's & women's basketball teams from the University of North Dakota.

MBB: Looking at the men's team, they return four starters from last season's squad that went 17-15 under head coach Brian Jones, who is entering his 7th season in charge.  Among the four starters back for North Dakota is junior guard Troy Huff (left), who was the team's leading scorer at 13.1 PPG, and second-leading rebounder at 5.9 RPG.  The team's leading rebounder is back as well. in junior post Brandon Brekke.  He led the team at 6.1 RPG.  Also back are two more juniors: guards Aaron Anderson (11 PPG & 2.9 RPG) and Jamal Webb (9.5 PPG & 3.5 RPG).

VERDICT: This team is loaded with experience, as there are four more juniors on the roster (along with the four returning starters) to go along with four senior reserves.  But in the years ahead, Brian Jones and his staff will have to fill the cupboard to replace a significant chunk of talent that will graduate from the program over the next two years.  Despite that, North Dakota will be coming to play in 2012-13, and could make the conference race very interesting once league play starts.


WBB: Just like with the men's team, the women's team returns most of their scoring and rebounding, but will be doing so with a brand new head coach, and someone the players on the UND roster are familiar with.  Travis Brewster inherited the reins of the program from long-time skipper Gene Roebuck, who retired over the offseason after a 21-11 record in his 25th and final season in charge.  Three starters on the team are back, led by senior guard Nicole Smart (right).  Also back are junior center Allyssa Wall, who led the team in scoring at 10.4 PPG, and junior forward Madi Buck, who led in rebounding at 7.4 RPG.

VERDICT: There's a very nice balance of experience on the team; half the players are upperclassmen, half are underclassmen.  But the true test is how good of a job Brewster will do in filling the relatively huge shoes that Roebuck left behind.  This is still a very good basketball team, and with the talent that they have, a conference tournament berth is very doable.

COMING UP: Southern Utah

Photo credits: University of North Dakota athletics