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UW-L went 19-8 last season and was ranked No. 18 in the final DIII coaches’ poll. The Eagles return 14 letterwinners from last year’s team that tied for second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Warriors, last year’s national runners-up, are ranked No. 1 in the preseason by Division II Bulletin and expected once again to make a run for a national title. WSU won the DII title in 2006.
For WSU coach Mike Leaf, the preseason offers him and his staff a chance to evaluate everything before the start of the regular season.
“It doesn’t matter who you’re playing against. We’re just looking at what we’re doing,” Leaf said. “It’s a gauge to see what we’re doing and if we’re doing it well. It shows what we need to improve for the season.”
UW-L senior guard Chris Fehrenbach earned All-WIAC Honorable Mention recognition last season. He averaged 11.3 points, shooting 43% from three-point range and gathered 2.9 rebounds per game while starting all 27 games for the Eagles. Eagles coach Ken Koelbl begins his fifth year at the helm of the team and is 57-48 overall at the school and 30-34 in the WIAC.
“La Crosse is well-disciplined and a well-coached team,” Leaf said. “Coach Koelbl does a great job down there and I’ve always had great respect for him and his program.”
UW-L opens its regular season Saturday, November 17 at Lakeland College at 7 p.m.
