The Johnnies formally begin their 2012-13 season against Division II St. Cloud State this Friday, Nov. 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sexton Arena in Collegeville. – Listen Live (WBHR-660 AM) | Live Stats

Preview Video:
-Head coach Jim Smith (1:08)

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Concordia-St. Paul shot 64 percent (16-25) in the second half, including a 7-for-8 showing from three-point range, in an 85-61 exhibition win at Saint John's on Nov. 3. The Golden Bears finished the game at 53.7 percent (29-54) from the field, including a 64.7-percent mark (11-17) from beyond the arc. Four of CSP's five starters finished with double digits in points. Freshman Mitchell Kuck (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) led the Johnnies with 16 points and eight rebounds in his SJU debut. Senior Chris Neumann (Winsted, Minn./Holy Trinity), junior Seth Marx (Maple Grove, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) and freshman Joe Risinger (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) added eight points apiece. Marx and Neumann, however, combined for a 6-for-22 showing (27.3 percent) from the floor as the Johnnies shot 35.7 percent as a team (25-70). The Johnnies cut its seven-point halftime deficit (36-29) to four 2:07 into the second half, but CSP outscored the home team 33-15 from the 13-minute mark on. SJU held advantages in second-chance points (14-7) and points in the paint (26-18), but the Golden Bears held a 41-35 edge on the glass and blocked eight shots in the game.

A LOOK AT THE HUSKIES: St. Cloud State, ranked No. 14 in the Basketball Times preseason poll, dropped a 62-49 exhibition game at Michigan State Nov. 2. SCSU stayed with the Spartans throughout the game with a solid defensive effort. Sophomore Connor Niehaus led the Huskies with 10 points, while senior Theo Rothstein added 11 rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. The Huskies shot 35.1 percent from the field and made two of eight attempts from the free-throw line. SCSU was picked to finish fourth overall in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), and second in the NSIC North Division, in the preseason coaches' poll. The Huskies finished third in the NSIC last season with a 15-7 record and ended the year 20-9 overall, advancing to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. The lone senior on the squad, Brett Putz, graduated and is now an assistant coach with SCSU. Senior Shaun Jensen returns after starting all 29 games and leading the team in scoring (13.8 ppg.) and assists (142).

LAST YEAR'S MEETING: Saint John's fought back from a significant first-half deficit but could not outdo NCAA Division II St. Cloud State in a 67-58 loss to the Huskies to open the 2011-12 season. SCSU went on a 22-4 run during an eight-minute stretch late in the first half to build a 22-point lead. SJU was whistled for 10 fouls and committed seven turnovers in the game's first 10 minutes. The Huskies built a 41-27 lead at the half after shooting 61.9 percent and boasting a 19-5 advantage on the boards. The second half was a bit different for the Huskies, however, as the home team shot just 33.3 percent (9-27), including 1-for-10 from beyond the arc, in the game's final 20 minutes. Andy Burns '12 led the Johnnies with 17 points, while Aaron Barmore '12 and junior Patrick Butcher (Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier) added 11 points apiece. Tim Bergstraser led SCSU with 19 points and nine rebounds. The Huskies made only three of their 17 three-point attempts (17.6 percent). SJU left eight points at the free-throw line (16-24, .667) and shot 40.0 percent from the floor (18-45), including a 37.5-percent clip from three-point range (6-16). Both teams committed 16 turnovers and combined for 42 fouls in the game (23-19 in favor of SJU).

SERIES HISTORY: SJU is 21-25 against St. Cloud State under the direction of head coach Jim Smith, including a 13-8 record in Collegeville. The Huskies have won 12 of the last 15 meetings between the two schools.