MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University is celebrating 50 years during the 2017-18 academic year.
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During the next few months, SMSU Athletics will take a look back and fondly remember some of the most memorable events, teams, coaches and student-athletes over the past 50 years.
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This week, the
2000-01 Men's Basketball Team:Â Â
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The 2000-01 men's basketball team won the school's first conference championship in men's basketball and also won the NCAA North Central Region Tournament to advance to the NCAA Elite Eight in Bakersfield, Calif.Â
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Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Tim Miles, the Mustangs finished the season with a record of 28-7, setting a school record for victories. The team set a school record with 17 straight victories from Nov. 25 to Feb. 10 and earned the program's first-ever national ranking on Jan. 22. SMSU spent seven weeks in the Top 25, moving as high as No. 4 on Feb. 26 and ending the regular season ranked No. 9.Â
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The team, which broke or tied 19 school records, was led by senior forward Scott Koenen, who became the program's first-ever NCAA All-America and led the team in both scoring (15.7) and rebounding (7.6). Miles was named the NSIC Coach of the Year, while Scott Koenen, along with younger brother, junior center Chad Koenen and senior guard Marques Pena, were all named first team All-NSIC. Chad Koenen was named the most valuable player of the NCAA North Central Region Tournament, while sophomore guard Jacob Fahl was named to the all-tournament team.
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The 2000-01 coaching staff and team members include Tim Miles (head coach), Todd Koering (assistant coach), Greg Stemen (assistant coach), Kevin Forde (assistant coach),
Ross Webskowski (assistant coach),
Brad Bigler, Tyson Clarke, Jimmy Dekker, Jacob Fahl, Corey Johnson, Chad Koenen, Scott Koenen, Rory Larson, Clint Meyer, Jared Miller, Marques Pena, Josh Preusse, Luke Runka, Adam Tesch, David Voigt, Brian Wiersma.
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The team was inducted into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor in 2011.
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