After a career-best performance in the season opener, USD’s Mitch Begeman has been named North Central Conference Co-Player of the Week. The announcement came this morning from the league office in Sioux Falls.
First off, the NCC continues its ridiculous trend of naming co-players of the week. Seriously, there are seven teams in the conference; make a decision and stick by it.
This is the first time in his career that Begeman has earned weekly honors from the NCC. He shares the award with Michael Jenkins from Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota Ervin Youmans.
Begeman posted career highs in nearly every statistical category in USD 96-61 season-opening win against Dana College. He recorded his first career double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench. He was 8-of-14 shooting from the field, including 5-of-9 from three-point range. Begeman also added five assists and four steals.
“This year I wanted to change my game. I want to do more than just hit threes,” Begeman told The Volante after Saturdays game. “The biggest change is to help the team defensively.”
Getting that kind of production from the bench is a great sign for the Coyote men, who boast arguably one of the deepest teams in the country.
“Our depth is a huge part of our team this year,” Begeman said. “Everyone can come out and play. That is just a bonus for any team.”
The USD men return to action this Wednesday, as they host Chadron State at 8 p.m. in the DakotaDome. That game marks the first of four games USD will play in the next five days. Included in those games are two teams (Chadron State, Nebraska-Kearney) that beat the Coyote men last season.
- - Jeremy Hoeck
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