Basketball team takes floor for first exhibition tonight

Carroll College basketball fans will get their first look at the 2009-2010 men's season when the Saints host the Blue Angels in an exhibition tonight at 7 p.m. at the Carroll P.E. Center.

The Saints, who went 20-7 and 9-5 in the Frontier Conference last season, beat the collection of mostly former University of Montana and Montana State players last season, 106-88.

Head coach Brandon Veltri, in his first season at the helm since the retirement of Gary Turcott, is interested in seeing how his young crop of players will perform in a fun atmosphere.

"At least what I want is for our first group to build a little chemistry," Veltri said. "Then, getting in the timing of the offense down, or at least work through it a little bit in this first exhibition are points of interest."

With 16 players on the roster, Veltri has been breaking up his team into three balanced groups that have been playing against each other. Now, he wants to get a starting lineup.

Expected to return to their starting roles are senior forward Chris Medina and sophomore post Andy Garland, who earned honorable mention All-American status after scoring the second-most points (14.7 points per game) on the team, behind the graduated Chad Vaculin.

Medina, the lone senior on a squad with eight freshmen, averaged 11.6 ppg as a starter. Only Chase Godecke, a sophomore, played all 27 other games during the season as the Saints graduated five seniors.

The Blue Angels, meanwhile, have a collection of all-stars, some young and some old.

Pete Conway was a star for MSU during the earlier this decade and is still one of the biggest threats the Saints will see on the floor.

"Pete Conway has played in this game before and he is just a superstar," Veltri said. "He's a pure two guard, catch and shoot. His shot is still just gorgeous."

J.R. Camel, meanwhile, is in his 40s and will command the team at the point guard position.

Carroll's post players will also have a chance to play against centers that are a few inches taller than the average NAIA player, like 6-foot-10 Ryan Pederson and 6-8 Travis Greenwalt, both former Grizzlies.

"It's a nice opportunity for us to play smart basketball players," Veltri said. "They're not going to be in great shape, but they're usually stronger, more physical and saavy."

Jeff Windmueller: 447-4065 or