St. Cloud State Becomes the Pride of Minnesota : Fast-Breaking Huskies (20-1) Take Spotlight From Scandal-Plagued Gophers

Minnesota basketball fans who have had their fill of scandal need only drive 75 miles northwest of the Twin Cities to watch the No. 1 team in the country.

St. Cloud State is tops in the nation in NCAA Division II, filling the 7,000-seat Halenbeck Hall and area residents with pride.

“We don’t realize how lucky we are here in central Minnesota to have this kind of basketball,” said Connie Hoffmann, who drove 15 miles through a snow storm for a game last Friday. “It’s up-tempo with a lot of fast breaks and I think they have a little bit of showmen in them.”

St. Cloud State has helped fans here take their minds off the troubles plaguing the University of Minnesota basketball team.

Three Gopher players were arrested on charges of sexual assault in the alleged rape of a Madison, Wis., woman Jan. 24, resulting in the resignation of coach Jim Dutcher. Two more players were suspended Jan. 29 for violating team rules.

“We are kind of hidden up here but I guess we’re a surprise,” said Barry Wohler, a St. Cloud State guard who quit the University of Minnesota when he signed a pro baseball contract with the Dodgers. “Hey, they were only 4-24 a couple of years ago, so you can’t expect too much attention.”

When Coach Butch Raymond took over at St. Cloud State two years ago, the Huskies finished 20 games under .500 with three freshmen starters.

“But they had an unusually good attitude and good work habits,” Raymond said. “They were just young. But it was a base, a start and you’ve got to start somewhere.”

Last year, St. Cloud State improved to 15-13 overall and 7-11 in the Northern Collegiate Conference.

“Last year, we wanted to make it competitive and we did,” he said. “We were a .500 team and the next step after being competitive is being a contender.”

The Huskies appear certain to clinch their first basketball title of any kind since 1976. They are 20-1 overall and 11-0 in the NCC.

Raymond credits his players, specifically forward Kevin Catron and Wohler, for the turnaround. Catron, a 6-foot 4-inch senior, is averaging 25 points per game to lead the conference.

Catron, a native of Cleveland, underwent major surgery on his left knee three seasons ago. Raymond took a risk and offered him a scholarship. Raymond has no regrets.

Wohler was the most heavily recruited player in the state out of Bird Island-Lake Lillian High School. He naturally went to Minnesota.

“I got fed up with the Gophers and I didn’t play very well--I had a lot of nights like tonight,” he said after going 0-for-7 Friday. “I had no confidence left. There’s a lot more pressure to win at (Minnesota). A lot more--especially the pressure on the coaches. There are always 20 media people around asking why didn’t you do this or that.”

Wohler suggests Minnesota basketball fans take a look at St. Cloud State.

“It’s only 75 miles,” he said, “and hey, we play some good basketball. Lots of fast breaks. It’s fun to watch. Come on up.”