After securing their best record since 2019–20, the Vikings men’s basketball team enters the new season with a fresh look, but familiar ambition. Last year’s 17–10 campaign marked a turning point for the program, but with eight graduates and only three returning players who played key roles, this year’s group will have to find its rhythm early to reach those same heights.
Despite the roster turnover, early practices have shown energy, depth and a shared determination to keep the momentum rolling. Even with so many new faces this year, the Vikings haven’t had any trouble clicking.
From the first few practices, the energy has been high, and the chemistry is starting to show both on and off the court. Senior guard Staishaun Kelley said the returning players do a good job leading the way, and the newcomers are starting to settle into the program.
“The team chemistry is great, I actually think it’s better than last year,” Kelley said. “We all jelled together. We all find it well off the court, and that kind of gels together on the court. When we do play, we all know it’s competitive, and we’re able to go out there in practice and compete like we’re not teammates, just because we know off the court we got a bond that can’t be matched.”
With a new roster and plenty of competition for minutes, this year’s team is still figuring out what kind of identity it will have on the floor. Early practices have given players a chance to settle in, find their roles and see how all the new pieces fit together.
There’s still plenty to learn, but one thing has already started to stand out to senior Marieon Anderson: Versatility. He said he has seen the group play fast, move well and adapt to just about any situation. That flexibility could end up being one of their biggest strengths as the season goes on, he said.
“What has stood out the most to me is our versatility,” Anderson said. “We’re not the biggest group, we’re not the strongest, but I think we have a great median of length and size. We have a lot of guys who are around the same build and can play multiple positions, so I think our ability to be versatile and our quickness is something that I’ve quickly noticed is one of our strengths.”
While the Vikings have shown plenty of promise early on, the team knows there’s still work to do before the season officially tips off. With so many new players learning the system and competing for minutes, every practice has been about building habits and finding consistency on both ends of the floor.
Last season, Augustana averaged 74.4 points per game while holding opponents to 70.1. Maintaining, or even widening that margin, will be a key focus this year. The group has flashed potential offensively and defensively.
Head Coach Jordan Delp, in his second full year, said he is focused on tightening things up and raising the standard across the board.
“Both sides have room for growth to widen the margin,” Delp said. “We want to make sure that we are more dynamic in both areas of that and as a rebounding team. How we’re going to do that is with better commitment, better discipline and better consistency. We just have to focus on getting a little bit better and a little more connected every single day.”
As the Vikings continue to find their rhythm and define their identity, the focus remains on effort, consistency and mindset. With so many new players and roles still taking shape, the message from the coaching staff has been clear: it’s not just about talent, but toughness. Every practice, drill and game is part of a bigger goal of becoming a team that competes relentlessly.
“I want to become the toughest team in America,” Delp said. “That is our standard, that is our expectation, it is who we are driven to become every single day. I am seeing progress towards that goal. We’re not there yet, but we shouldn’t be, and we continue to build consistency on that front every single day.”
After a 90-73 win over Wisconsin Lutheran College on Tuesday, the 1-0 Vikings look ahead to traveling to St. Paul, Minnesota, to face Bethel University on Friday, Nov. 14, and then Hamline University on Sunday, Nov. 16.
