DUBUQUE, Iowa – The #16-ranked University of Dubuque men's basketball team began their 2021-2022 campaign with a home matchup against the Blackburn College Beavers. Blackburn came into tonight's matchup with two games already under their belt and they were on the losing end of both of those contests. The Spartans, however, tonight was the first game of the season and they continued where they left off last spring. The Spartans started slow, but played a much better second half to get their first win on the season defeating Blackburn 68-52.
The Spartans struggled in the first half in almost every shooting category. They shot 20.8% from the field, 8.3% from 3-point range, and 56% from the charity stripe. Blackburn shot better in every category, but the Spartans were able to go into the halftime break up 25-23. In the second half, the Spartans shot a much higher percentage to be able to extend their lead to 18 before settling for the 16 point win over the Blackburn College Beavers.
The story of the game was the whistle, as Blackburn would be called for 29 fouls which placed their players in foul trouble in the second half. The Spartans were able to take advantage of the fouls as they would connect on 25-37 (67.6%) from the free throw line. The Spartans were able to put in 12 different players tonight and they would get great production from the bench with 27 total points.
Senior guard Peter Ragen would lead the Spartans with 19 points on 6-16 shooting. Dylan Anderson and Josh Hammer would each add 10. Levi Scheuermann was all over the glass tonight collecting 10 boards.
The Spartans hit the road for the first time on the young season as they face Augustana College on Friday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Results of the American Rivers Conference's Men's Basketball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2021-22 American Rivers Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2020-21 Record |
| 1. |
Dubuque (8) |
64 |
14-0, 7-0 A-R-C (A-R-C Champions) |
| 2. |
Buena Vista (1) |
51 |
9-3, 6-2 A-R-C |
| 3. |
Coe |
50 |
6-5, 3-4 A-R-C |
| 4. |
Loras |
47 |
7-5, 4-3 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
34 |
3-3, 1-2 A-R-C |
| 6. |
Simpson |
29 |
3-7, 3-4 A-R-C |
| 7. |
Wartburg |
22 |
4-7, 2-4 A-R-C |
| 8. |
Central |
19 |
3-4, 2-3 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Luther |
8 |
1-8, 1-7 A-R-C |
*Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own teams.
After winning the ninth Conference Championship in University of Dubuque's men's basketball program, the Spartans are the coaches' pick to win the 2021-22 American Rivers Conference Championship. Dubuque earned 64 points in the poll and eight of the nine first-place votes.
The American Rivers Conference season is a 16-game double round robin schedule finishing on Saturday, February 19. The league's top six teams from the regular season standings qualify for the A-R-C Tournament. The Conference Tournament will be held Tuesday, February 22 (First Round), Thursday, February 24 (Semifinals), and Saturday, February 26 (Championship). Game locations for the A-R-C Tournament are at the higher seeded team's venue. The American Rivers Conference Tournament champion receives the leagues' automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III tournament.
2019-20 Season in Review: The University of Dubuque Spartans defeated Buena Vista University 78-64 on March 13, 2021 to claim the 2021 American Rivers Conference Men's Basketball title and cap off a perfect 14-0 season.
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Robbie Sieverding (15th season)
2020-21 Record: 14-0 overall, 7-0 A-R-C
2020-21 Conference Finish: 1st
Returning All-Conference: Peter Ragen (A-R-C Most Valuable Player), Brock Simon (A-R-C Defensive MVP), Sam Kilburg (Second-Team), Keegan Zimmerman (Honorable Mention), Levi Scheuermann (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning: 4
Starters Lost: 1
Robbie Sieverding - "We are looking forward to another competitive conference season. I believe a handful of teams have a chance to compete for a championship this season. We have put together a tough non-conference schedule to prepare us for league play. Should be an exciting season for the A-R-C." |
| Players to Watch: |
*Conference Only Statistics (8-game schedule) |
| Peter Ragen - Guard (Sr.) |
17.57-ppg // 84.6-FT% // 6.43-rpg // 14-ast // 8-stls // 8-blks |
| Sam Kilburg - Guard (So.) |
14.43-ppg // 3.57-rpg // 21-ast // 6-stls |
| Brock Simon - Forward (Jr.) |
6.4-ppg // 64.7-fg% // 4.6-rpg // 11-ast // 6-stls |
| Levi Scheuermann - Forward (Jr.) |
10.4-ppg // 61.1-fg% // 4.6-rpg // 5-stls // 4-blks |
| Keegan Zimmerman - Forward (Jr.) |
7.57-ppg // 53.8-3pt% // 4.57-rpg // 4-stls |
| Hunter Snyder - Guard (Jr.) |
5.71-ppg // 61.9-fg% // 66.67-3pt% // 85.7-FT% // 19-reb |
