ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University men's basketball team begins its 2015-16 campaign Saturday night at home against Martin Luther College. The Royals, who are coming off of a 19-9 record in 2014-15, including a 13-8 mark in MIAC play, look to better that mark in the upcoming year with five of their top six scorers back. Here are eight things to know about Bethel heading into the new year.
Preseason predictors
The Royals were picked to finish fourth in the MIAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Bethel received 73 points in the voting. Story
Postseason or bust
Last year's postseason appearance marked the 14th time in the last 16 years that the Royals have reached the MIAC Playoffs. Only two other teams across the league have accomplished this feat in that time frame.
Winning when it matters most
The Royals pair of postseason victories last spring improved Bethel's MIAC Playoff record to 11-14 since the 1999-2000 season. BU's MIAC Championship game appearance was their third during that stretch.
Diaper dandies
Bethel has had two freshman in the past two years recognized to the MIAC All-Conference Team. Brycen Wojta and Bridgeport Tusler are the only two league-wide to earn this award as freshman since 2005 and the second and third since 1995-96.
Block party
The Royals swatted 122 blocks throughout the 2014-15 season, which ranked No. 21 nationwide and No. 1 across the conference. 2015 MIAC Player of the Year, Kyle Zimmermann, led the team and the league with 55 total blocks.
Brilliant ball control
Bethel finished last season with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.3, which ranked No. 26 nationwide. The Royals dished out 374 assists as a team, opposed to just 290 turnovers. Two-time All-MIAC honoree, Brycen Wojta, led the team with 90 assists.
Grand theft Bridgeport
All-MIAC guard Bridgeport Tusler led the team and the league in steals last season with 52 steals in 26 games played. Additionally, Tusler's 2.0 steals per game ranked No. 76 nationwide.
Robertson Center rumble
Bethel has won 35 games in the Robertson Center Gym over the past four seasons, which has resulted in a .700 winning percentage during that stretch. The Royals reached double-digit home wins in both 2014-15 and 2012-13.
