Alive with the hopes of a new season, the menıs basketball team began its MIAC schedule this week.

After losing the opener to a tough Gustavus Adolphus College squad, the 0-1 Oles have already shown flashes of potential in their non-conference schedule as they embark on their quest for a playoff spot.

The team jumped out to a great start this season in the tournament at Wheaton College. St. Olaf won the tournament, finishing 2-0 and setting the tone for a season that promises to be much improved from a year ago.

Sophomore Mike Ludwig won the Tournament MVP award, averaging 18 points per game, 4 rebounds per game, and shooting over 48 percent for the tournament.

Junior Matt Hofkens was named to the All-Tournament Team, averaging 17.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game.

The Oles dominated Asbury 82-62 in the first game, taking a 17 point halftime lead and never letting go. Four Oles reached double digits in a balanced and successful offensive attack. Ludwig led the way with 18, followed by Hofkens with 16, and seniors Hallie Williams with 13 and Ryan Olson adding 12.

The Oles took great care of the ball on offense, turning it over only eight times, which, when combined with shooting a red-hot 62 percent in the first half, provided for a nice victory.

St. Olaf met tournament host Wheaton in a tight championship game. The back-and-forth game saw 12 ties and 21 lead changes before the Oles finally pulled out a 69-64 victory. Olson hit a three-pointer with 1:40 left in the game to give the Oles a 65-64 lead they would not relinquish.

St. Olafıs dominance on the boards was a major factor in the win. Led by first-year Matt Schlenkerıs game-high 12 rebounds, St. Olaf out-rebounded Wheaton 42-35 for the game and outscored the Thunder 11-3 in second chance points.

Wheatonıs Joel Kolmodin was the gameıs leading scorer with 20 points, followed by the Olesı Hofkens with 19 and Ludwig with 18.

"The Wheaton tournament went well," said Hofkens. "We came out with some intensity and were pretty much able to do what we wanted to do."

The Oles brought their 2-0 record back to Skoglund for their home opener against UW-River Falls on November 21st. A poor-shooting first half hurt St. Olaf, as the Oles fell down 10 at the intermission and werenıt able to recover in a 70-57 loss.

St. Olaf also was beaten badly on the boards, outrebounded 37-23 by River Falls. Hofkens led the team in scoring with 20 points on 6 of 16 shooting.

On Nov. 27 the men traveled to St. Paul to play Northwestern College and again were upended, 89-74.

The loss obscured some nice offensive performances by the Oles. Ludwig dropped in a team-high 20 points on 8 for 13 shooting. Hofkens was right on his heels with 19, and Olson tossed in 4 of 5 from downtown for 12 points.

St. Olaf opened its MIAC season Saturday at Gustavus, falling 95-64 to a solid Gustie team. Gustavus, who finished 12-8 in the MIAC a year ago, grabbed the reins early and never let go, taking a 9-2 lead within the first two minutes that it would never relinquish.

"Transition defense proved to be the story in the game," said Hofkens. The Oles spent much of the game on their heels, turning the ball over 25 times and were unable to cool down a sizzling Gustavus unit that shot 54 percent for the game. Hofkens led the Oles in scoring with 20, followed by Ludwig with 19.

The Oles, currently 2-3 overall, played host to Saint Maryıs University on Wednesday night in an effort to even their MIAC record. The Oles match up well against the Cardinals, who finished 11-9 in the MIAC last season and will present a tough challenge.

The men travel to Moorhead this weekend to play Concordia, a team that struggled last year but will have the home court advantage, and the luxury of facing St. Olaf after their long bus trip.

Strong defense will be a key for the Oles, as the team needs to mesh together and play well early in the season if they hope to climb the MIAC ladder.