Preview: Buhler Crusaders

MEET THE TEAM

Buhler has made Wahlgren's return to the sidelines very worthwhile, as the marriage has produced two league championships, 38 wins and a trip to the Class 4A tournament in two seasons. But the foundation behind those two teams is all gone, leaving the Crusaders with only eight of 55 points returning this season.
There likely won't be a standout offensive player for the Crusaders this season. Wahlgren doesn't have any qualms about the scoring load being handled by a committee, but where the scoring is going to come from leaves him with some questions.
The lone returner is senior Brandon Keeler, who averaged 4 points and 3 rebounds last season as a starter. Expect those numbers to double as Keeler will take on a larger role with this team. He is a scrapper down low that will find the needed rebound or take the charge for the Crusaders, and could surprise some people this season by stepping out and showing off a new shooting touch from the outside.
Perhaps the only other known commodity is senior Bransyn Felty, who saw limited minutes last season but will take over the reigns of the offense this season as the point guard. He's small (5-foot-8) but a heady player that knows how to get the Crusaders in their sets and could be the most valuable piece this season.
The rest not even Wahlgren is sure of. After playing the last two seasons as heavy favorites in the majority of their games, Buhler might flip roles this season and see how it does being the underdog. The Crusaders have so many question marks it's difficult to peg them this season.
A likely dropoff will ensue this season, but Wahlgren will no doubt ensure Buhler has a winning record. How far above .500 the Crusaders go is hard to say, but don't expect them to become a pushover this season. Buhler will likely surprise some and win a few games it maybe shouldn't and also drop one or two because of their inexperience. 

MEET THE CAST

#41 | BRANDON KEELER | POST | 6'1" | SENIOR
Only returning starter didn't have to do much last year, but will have to step up as the rock on this team. Has a desire to rebound and defend and will get a lot of his points on loose balls and putbacks.
#02 | BRANSYN FELTY | GENERAL | 5'8" | SENIOR
The only other returner from the rotation last season. Wahlgren is confident he's ready to take over the team at point guard; heady, smart player that has a reliable outside shot and should be solid this season.
#40 | TYSON KUHN | POST | 6'2" | SENIOR
Suited up for varsity last season, but barely saw any run. He's capable of playing on the wing and in the post and will likely see major time at both spots.  
#?? | DAULTON ANDERSON | POST | 6'5" | SENIOR
A transfer letterman from Little River, Anderson will play his senior season in Class 4A. He'll play a large role in the rotation immediately.
#12 | SAM MALDONADO | WING | 5'10" | SENIOR

#30 | JOE SCHMIDT | WING | 6'1" | SENIOR

#25 | LUKE BERBLINGER | POST | 6'1" | JUNIOR

#11 | QUENTIN HENRICKS | GENERAL | 5'6" | JUNIOR

#03 | RYAN NORQUIST | WING | 5'11" | JUNIOR

#?? | JACE WILLIAMS | POST | 6'3" | FRESHMAN

FROM COACH WAHLGREN

"Are we going to make wholesale changes? Maybe you will think I'm old-fashioned, but I don't think we do. I believe you have a philosophy as a coach and you stick it and you play within the same structure every year. We're going to do similar things to what we have been doing and I think we'll be fine."

THE PREDICTION

No one is expecting another 19-win season, but it would be a shocker to see anything less than a winning record. There's so many questions to be answered, it might be a rough go early on but I think the Crusaders turn into a solid team by the end of the season and finish somewhere around 12-13 wins.