2015-16 Around the Central

March 1, 2016 Looking to make a run Wheaton was less than enthused with its one-and-out appearance in the NCAA Tournament last year. The Thunder are looking to extend their roll a little longer this time around.

February 23, 2016 River Falls completes its run to top of WIAC standings UW-River Falls completed its one-year turnaround, rallying from consecutive eighth-place finishes in the WIAC to winning the conference's top seed this weekend with help from the team's only senior, Richell Mehus.

February 16, 2016 A coach's rare opportunity Todd Raridon has had a lot of success in coaching Division III basketball. But lately, he's been able to credit his three sons with part of that success as well, including Connor Raridon, who helped his dad reach a milestone.

February 9, 2016 Streaking through the Midwest Conference St. Norbert's men's basketball team has won 53 consecutive conference games and 59 in a row against conference opponents, putting the Green Knights in record territory.

February 2, 2016 'I really didn't know what I was getting into' When Jared Staege first went off to college, he figured his time as an athlete was over. But four years later, Staege is leading the UW-La Crosse men’s basketball team in its pursuit of its first WIAC championship since 1965.

January 26, 2016 Westminster's sophomores surging in SLIAC The Blue Jays took their lumps in the non-conference portion of their schedule, but this sophomore-led squad has turned it around once starting the SLIAC slate.

January 19, 2016 Fahey: D-III's coaching 'legend' She'll gladly tell you she hasn't hit a shot in decades, but when you get to 700 wins faster than anyone not named Geno Auriemma ... sorry, at some point, it's the coaching. More about Nancy Fahey in this week's Around the Central.

January 12, 2016 Johnson's long road ends at Benedictine The much-traveled Luke Johnson started his career at Carthage, then went to Benedictine, then chose Division II. But he chose to return to the Eagles last season and he has helped a balanced Benedictine squad start off 14-0.

January 5, 2016 The Augustana experience includes setting ego aside Experience is a valuable asset, and the Augustana men’s basketball team is loaded with it. But eight seniors, each of whom came to Augie as freshmen, have had to deal with the expectations that come with that experience. More in Around the Central.

December 8, 2015 Sabin is Ripon's all-around threat Ty Sabin will drive to the hole, shoot the midrange jumper, hit the three or draw contact and go to the line. With that arsenal, it's no surprise he entered his junior season at Ripon already having scored 1,000 career points.

November 24, 2015 Two ACLs, three surgeries, but one driving will to compete It’s hard to question the love of basketball that North Central’s Lauren Hernandez possesses considering the hardships she has endured to return to the court this season.

November 17, 2015 This season's games to watch With six men’s teams from the region ranked in the Preseason Top 25 and another five receiving votes, plus three ranked women’s teams to go with four more receiving votes, there is sure to be a lot of excitement between now and March – April for the women.