Augustana Men’s Basketball Announces Exhibition Games; Vikings to Play at Wisconsin, Entertain Concordia-Moorhead

The Augustana men’s basketball team will continue its string of playing exhibition games against Division I opponents when they take on national power Wisconsin on Saturday, November 1, at 7 p.m. in Madison, Wis. The game will also be carried on the Big 10 Network. In addition, the Vikings will also play host to Concordia College, Moorhead in an exhibition game on Saturday, November 8, at 7 p.m. at the Elmen Center.

Augustana is coming off a 22-9 season in 2007-08, while Wisconsin went 31-5 and made it to the Midwest Regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Concordia finished with a 13-13 record.

Augustana head coach Tom Billeter, who has had a longtime friendship with Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan, said he is appreciative of Ryan working to arrange the exhibition game between the Vikings and Badgers. Three Vikings, senior Mike Klepatz, junior Marques Blank and sophomore Shane Kieler are from Wisconsin, while two other players, junior Jordan Dalton and sophomore Chad Hettermann, are from Illinois. In addition, Wisconsin senior Joe Krabbenhoft is from Sioux Falls.

“We want to give our kids the experience of playing in front of a Big 10 crowd and the chance to play on the Big 10 Network,” Billeter said. “Wisconsin and Illinois have been great states for us in terms of recruiting so this gives those players a chance to play closer to home so their families can watch them play.

“This is strictly for the players,” Billeter added. “They are going to get the chance to play against the guys they watch on television. Our guys are very excited to have a chance to play a program like Wisconsin.”

Playing exhibition games against Division I opponents have become common for the Vikings under Billeter, who is entering his sixth season at Augustana. In the past, the Vikings have played exhibition games at Illinois State, Rice and Gonzaga.
*Courtesy: Augustana Sports Information