Bison Illustrated April 2014 | Page 18

MEN’S BASKETBALL THECLIMB 2009-10 Post-NCAA Tournament Record: 11-18 (8-10) Lost in Summit League Quarterfinals to Oral Roberts T he Bison men’s basketball team has come a long way in the last five years. From a mediocre band of freshmen to a powerhouse team that has learned the art of the game, check out their evolution over the years. 16 B I S O N I L L U S T R A T E D • A P R I L 2 014 Mike Felt, Taylor Braun and Jordan Aaberg were big time recruits that enrolled at NDSU in the fall of 2009. While Minnesota boys Felt and Aaberg made quick adjustments to the college game by playing as freshmen, Braun was red-shirted. Braun’s struggles during that first year have been well-documented, but at the time, no one thought his career would blossom the way it did. 2010-11 Rebuild Record: 14-15 (8-10) Lost in Summit League Quarterfinals to Oral Roberts Marshall Bjorklund and TrayVonn Wright joined the Bison as the only true freshmen on the roster. Both proved their worth by playing over 15 minutes a game. Wright brought unfathomable athleticism to the roster while Bjorklund became the anchor in the post. Braun also saw his first action in a Bison uniform and quickly got every fan excited about what could be a great career.