The WolfPack battled size disadvantages throughout last season. Garrett Borgrud, a 6-foot-8-inch center, and Corey Yahnke, a 6-foot-6-inch center, were the only people on the roster with a height over 6-foot-3-inches. In fact, most of the athletes on the roster hovered around 6 feet tall.

With the personnel that the WolfPack had last season, last year was a success, said Scot Vesterdahl, WolfPack men’s coach. As the season went on, the team improved as the year went on, he said.

“It was not a team that defended very well,” Vesterdahl said. “If we didn’t shoot the ball real well we were in trouble.”

Just like the women, the men’s team’s conference schedule will be crucial this season. Entering the third season of play in the N4C, the men have put up two consecutive 7-7 conference records. That is what Vesterdahl prefers, he said.

“The nicest thing about this league is the competition is outstanding,” Vesterdahl said. “I would much rather go 8-6 and 7-7 in that league, and be prepared to play in the regionals and maybe the championship, because the competition prepares you for the national level.”

Vesterdahl and the team are quite clear on what their ultimate goal is for this season. They want to not only go to the region final, they want to win it and earn a berth in the national tournament

Vesterdahl is looking upon veterans to provide leadership to get the team to the next level. Vesterdahl is excited about Borgrud, Aaron Jones and Jordan Van Cleeve.

Also, the team is looking toward Ryan Plaice, a guard who was redshirted last year.

“We’ve got some good kids coming in, but we’re young,” Vesterdahl said. “It’s going to take some time.”