Matt Brock in Springfield Illinois

Former MBU Coach Moving to Division 2 Basketball

(Springfield, IL) – Matt Brock is moving to Division 2 basketball. The former Missouri Baptist University coach has taken the step up to Illinois-Springfield. After recording 87 wins in four NAIA seasons, Brock received the an offer to step up to  and he accepted.

The Prairie Stars were 14-and-14 last season, finishing 7-11 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. During five seasons under Bill Walker, UIS won just 59 games while losing 80.

Brock’s Missouri Baptist teams were known for defense and outstanding preparation.

In a broad sweeping, wide-ranging interview conducted at the Rail Golf Course (Springfield, IL) we discussed the timing of his move, his hopes and expectations, what his wife thinks about it all and competition in the GLVC.

We kicked off the interview talking about the move and how it came about.

 

 

Brock took his most recent MBU team to the NAIA national tournament. He says it was his most enjoyable collegiate basketball season. It was his fourth season in suburban St. Louis, and thus it was the team that most reflected his style.

 

 

The nationally ranked Spartans were the top defensive team in the NAIA. They led the nation in both scoring defense and defensive field goal percentage. In each of his last two seasons, the Spartans also received national recognition for their academic achievements.

He is looking for the same kind of success even while moving to Division 2 and the GLVC.

Brock says the GLVC is America’s best Division 2 conference.

 

 

 

Style of Play

Brock’s teams played tenacious defense, but were also highly efficient on offense. Using both analytics a more old-school, ‘inside/out’ approach MBU forced opponents to adjust to their ever changing offensive approach.

Brock says moving to Division 2 won’t change some of his basic coaching principles.

 

 

The new UIS coach played in the GLVC (Truman State) and was an assistant in the league too. His assistant coach, Patrick Sodeman just finished a coaching stint also with the Bulldogs. He previously worked at MBU with Brock.

His wife Sheryl is enjoying getting to know Springfield, and she and the couple’s two young children are looking forward to moving here full time this summer. The coach says the people of Springfield impress him as people that love college basketball.

 

 

Brock is moving to Division 2 and after announcing his games for four years at MBU, we at ValleyHoopsInsider.com wish him the greatest of successes.

Do Good

 

For the full, unedited interview with Matt Brock, head to youtube. For more information on the Rail Golf Course, click here. A coupon for golf at the Rail is below this article.