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Season Outlook 2007-2008
Each season the Trolls start the year with optimism and enthusiasm. They have reason to be positive for the 2007-08 season as they have the personnel necessary to be successful. With the attitude and the talent to move forward the team looks to make noteworthy improvements on their 9-18 overall and 3-7 conference records of a year ago.
 
“We have a great group of players this season,” said sixth year head coach Tim Walker. “They are a talented unit that should do well on the basketball court. Equally important, they are men of good character that add a dimension to our team that promotes growth and success.”
 
This year’s team is unique in that it has qualities of experience and inexperience at the same time. The 14-player roster holds seven returning players and seven new athletes. Of those returning only two were starters last season and only a couple have significant minutes in terms of overall collegiate playing time. Yet at the same time the top eight players, which includes a couple of newcomers, all played with each other last spring. Therefore, although there is some element of uncertainty with unproven players, there is also an element of confidence and familiarity.
 
The 2007-08 squad is a multi-faceted team with a number of versatile players. The team will have the ability to be more diverse in their style of play than in previous years. They will be able to go big if needed and also to put a smaller, quicker line-up on the floor. They will be especially strong in the wing with a number of proven scorers in that position.
 
“I am excited about what we will be able to do with the line-up this year,” commented Walker. “We will run some different sets than we have in the past and are not as post-oriented. We will be more flexible and should be able to present a number of different looks.”
 
Even with the confidence in his players Coach Walker recognizes the importance of putting together a successful first semester. In the past the team has struggled through their November and December schedule, facing a number of successful opponents. This season the schedule is not necessarily easier, but arranged differently as to when they face their toughest opponents. Walker is hoping to pick up a few more wins early to set the tone for the season. Overall, a 20-win season is a realistic goal as is a top conference finish and a conference championship.
 
The team will definitely rely on returning starters senior Kurt Gruppen (Zeeland, MI) and junior Ross Stuursma (Tinley Park, IL), both proven scorers and leaders. Gruppen, the team captain, is the leading returning scorer with a 13.6 point average last season. The team will expect much of him this season and depend on his accurate long-range scoring. Stuursma, who averaged 9.1 ppg and 2.0 apg last season, has the most varsity experience and can be counted on at both ends of the floor.
 
Also returning with some starting experience is a pair of sophomores, guard Michael Thompson (Macomb, IL) and forward Jonathan Huizinga (Elmhurst, IL). Thompson, who started in the ten games last season, will take control of the point. Huizinga, who averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.4 rpg a year ago, is a fundamentally sound player who can give minutes in the post of pull out to the wing.
 
Contributing in the playing rotation will also be junior Brad Martin (Dover, PA) and sophomore Ebiowei Porbeni (Plainfield, IL). Martin is a smart player that is a good defender and can be an offensive asset. Porbeni will use his raw athletic talent to play in the post and help on the boards. Also returning is senior Peter Zigterman (Villa Park, IL), who provides leadership and a great work ethic.
 
Of the seven new players joining the squad there are two transfers who will make the most impact. Sophomore Will Bruinsma (New Era, MI) transferred from Dordt College (IA) last spring. He is very athletic and, combined with Gruppen and Stuursma, will make the team very strong in scoring from the wing. Junior Kyle Lasek (Moline, IL), who also came last semester and has one season of experience at Western Illinois University, will create a presence in the post. At 6’9” his size and long reach will help on the boards and in keeping the lane defended.
 
The Trolls also gained transfer guard AJ Turner (Roanoke, IL), who did not play last season but played the two seasons previous to that at Greenville College (IL). Alex Rusticus (Hudsonville, MI), who was on the Trolls’ junior varsity roster in 2005-06, returns to the team and provides depth in the post and help on the boards. Rounding out the varsity roster are three freshmen, who will also gain experience on the junior varsity team. Grant Pinkley (Bondurant, IA) is a point guard, Bryan Stevens (Sun Valley, CA) will play the wing, and Josh Flikkema (Delevan, WI) is a versatile forward.
 
The Trolls open their schedule in early November with the Mitchell Memorial Classic. They have a good blend of home and road games throughout the first semester. The conference schedule which starts in early January includes the addition of Purdue University-Calumet, who moved from Division I to Division II in the conference. The Trolls will face four of the six CCAC opponents on the road in the first round. The schedule also gives them their final three conference games at home.
 
“The conference schedule will be tight this year,” said Walker. “From top to bottom the teams are better overall than they have been in the past. The competition will be more even without a dominant team or a huge difference between No. 1 and No. 7. We are good enough to win the conference, but will have to be ready against every single conference opponent.”