Lindenwood Year Two

Gerdeman and Cole Break It Down

(St. Louis, MO) – Lindenwood’s basketball team finished the regular season with a double-overtime win and then a single overtime win to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. What is in store for Lindenwood Year Two?

Those last two victories were as exciting basketball as was played anywhere in the nation last season. Facing elimination from the league tournament they defeated Southeast Missouri 105-102 in two overtimes and Little Rock 97-96 in one extra session. Those two triumphs catapulted the first-year Division 1 program into the OVC postseason tournament.

Many heroes from those scintillating victories are gone. Graduating seniors Kevin Caldwell Jr, Cam Burrell, Chris Childs and Brandon Trimble have moved after making their D1 marks. The roster for Lindenwood year two will look very different, but coach Kyle Gerdeman has one major building block remaining.

Leading scorer Keenon Cole toyed with transferring, but eventually stayed in St. Charles, Missouri for his senior season. Cole’s staying put meant the Lions’ top scorer was returning, but also that the Lindenwood coaching staff had proven itself to to its best player.

Gerdeman says Cole’s decision to stay validated so much about the Lion program. Cole says Gerdeman and the coaching staff have a great plan in place for he and the Lions to succeed.

After two seasons at  Northern Illinois Cole played one junior college season before reuniting with assistant coach Anthony Beane at Lindenwood. Cole says Gerdeman is a coach that demands a lot from his players but gives them the freedom and confidence to ‘play their game’. He has a deep and long lasting relationship with Beane.

Lindenwood Year Two – Italian Bonding

Gerdeman has eight new players and one holdover that didn’t play last season. It was the perfect time for the Lions to take their first-ever summer, foreign trip. Relational bonding, on-court experiences and those ten extra practices could pay dividends for this new team.

The Lions spent time in Italy and saw the sights and played several games. Gerdeman and Cole say the time together was invaluable. The games provided ample opportunities to learn about player tendencies and what parts of the Lions’ game needed work.

Gerdeman’s new roster includes two new Division 1 players, four junior college transfers, one from the D2 ranks and one freshman. Ready to play after sitting out last season due to transfer regulations is coach Beane’s son Darius. Head coach Gerdeman says Beane, who is a veteran of four previous D1 seasons will be an impactful player for Lindenwood year two.

While completing his roster more quickly this year compared to last season, Gerdeman admits recruiting is much more difficult now that the Lions are are more well known. They are using their coaching staff’s rich junior college experience to their benefit.

Lindenwood Year Two – Roster

Cole leads a small group of returning players. Tommie Williams and David Ware played significant minutes last season, but Brayden Wampler-Foust did not. Having just three players with extensive playing time is a challenge. However, Beane has played 103 D1 contests and two D1 transfers will lend a hand.

Northern Arizona transfer Keith Haymon and Hawaii transfer Amoro Lado provide experience. The 6’7 Haymon has played 98 D1 games and scored over 500 points and is a proven three-point shooter. Lado who played just nine games last season (injury) after appearing in 27 the previous season is outstanding from the free-throw line.

Gerdeman says those veterans are as important off the court as on it for this year’s team.

Freshman Colin Ruffin (Link Academy) has made a positive early impression. Gerdeman believes Ruffin can be very good and Cole says the rookie point guard is a defensive stopper. Cole also mentions the exploits of Jaylon McDaniel, Jeremiah Talton and Keith Haymon.

One of the nation’s top junior college players will miss the season with a knee injury. Jordan Wildy tore his ACL during the team’s second practice preparing for the trip to Italy.

While much is left to learn about Lindenwood year two, this is a program on the rise. Recruits are interested, the facilities are outstanding and university leadership is solid. The OVC made a solid choice adding this program.

Do Good

 

Editor: Feature photo courtesy of lindenwoodlions.com.