New head coach Tim Whittle comes to Macalester from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was the top assistant for the two-time defending NCAA Division III champions, and is looking to bring that type of excellence to St. Paul as he builds the Macalester program. In addition to winning the national crown the last two seasons, Washington University went to the Final Four the past three years.

“Coming off back-to-back national championships, I believe I am ready to guide my own program and Macalester provides an ideal setting for student-athletes to excel academically and athletically,” says Whittle. “The Alumni Gymnasium and the entire Leonard Center are signs of the commitment by the administration to make athletics an extension of the classroom.” said Mac's new head coach. “I am ecstatic to have this opportunity to lead Mac basketball into tomorrow by finding true student-athletes who want the best of both worlds – strong academics and competitive athletics.”

Coach Whittle and the Scots have been hard at work during pre-season practices since mid-October and it is clear that Macalester will be a much-improved team in the MIAC.

The Scots return four starters and nine letter-winners from last year's team, while adding four newcomers to the mix. “We are excited to welcome the Class of 2013,” says Whittle. “Each player brings something different to this program and as a group they make an immediate impact in building a successful program at Macalester.”

Several veterans will be asked to continue to show improvement and increase their roles.

Forwards Colin Keeley (Jr., Kildeer, Ill. / Stevenson) and Jerry Kraus (Sr., Bucharest, Romania / Chapparal – Colo.) return in the frontcourt for the Scots, while guards Paul Richie (Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) and Kyle Hamblett (Jr., Paris, France / American School of Paris) return in the backcourt. Point guard Holden Bigler-Johnson (Jr., Austin, Tex. / Anderson) is back after being sidelined last season with an injury.

Keeley missed the final seven games with a broken hand, but was Mac's top point producer with a 13.8 scoring mark. Hamblett shot 49% from the floor and contributed 11.7 points and 1.6 steals a night. Richie was the team's top three-point shooter with 46 on the year, while averaging 9.2 points and 1.7 steals. Tyler Gubbrud (So., Naples, Fla.) led the team in minutes off the bench.

This year's team will be a blend of veterans and newcomers, as talented frosh forward Pierce Peters (Glenwood, Minn. / Minnewaska Area), center Andy Bowman (Perry, Kan. / Perry-Lecompton), guard Colin Jarvis (Madison, Wis. / West) and guard Nic Lechault (Geneva, Switzerland / International School of Geneva) are expected to play major roles right off the bat.

Macalester tips off the season at home Nov. 17 against Crown. The Scots continue their non-conference schedule at Northwestern-Roseville Nov. 24 and includes home games against non-conference foes Martin Luther and Colorado College. The MIAC campaign gets going Dec. 2 at home against St. Mary's and includes games vs. the D3hoops.com pre-season No. 4-ranked St. Thomas.

“The MIAC is always tough and is one of the most competitive Division III conferences in the country,” comments Whittle. “The league is filled with quality coaches and players, and provides a great college basketball atmosphere.”

MIAC Team Previews & Coaches' poll