FARGO -- North Dakota State men's basketball head coach Dave Richman can't hide his excitement about his new look group.
"This is a team that has a chance to be really good. They have a pulse and maturity to them. I know fun doesn't lead to a specific win, but when I'm having fun at practice that translates into success on the court as well." Richman said.
Richman admits there wasn't much fun over the last months of last basketball season, saying for 'whatever the reason the end wasn't much fun.'
The end came earlier than what Bison fans have grown accustomed to. NDSU was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Summit League Tournament for the first time since 2018, getting bounced by St. Thomas.
What followed was seeing Summit League second-team selection Andrew Morgan head into the transfer portal and head to Nebraska and Jamestown native Boden Skunberg transfer to Omaha. All told, five players left through the portal.
For the first time in his coaching tenure, Richman decided to embrace the portal, adding five transfers.
Brennan Watkins, a guard from Virginia Military Institute, Pat Bath, a forward from Drake, who grew up in Fargo, Jacksen Moni, a forward from Northern State, who hails from West Fargo, Luke Kasubke from Illinois State and Masen Miller from Indiana State.
Richman has seen the benefits of these additions nearly immediately.
"The portal was good to us, and it's something I needed to embrace. I made some mistakes a couple of years ago when guys left to the portal with some mileage and I tried to replace them with high school kids. I want to make it a priority that upper midwest high school kids are the foundation of this program to come in and develop.
But you cannot put a price on experience and maturity."
Kasubke has made such an impression on Richman that he was named team captain a couple of weeks ago. He and Miller have had experience in the Missouri Valley, which could come in handy in the Summit League.
Moni was an all-league performer in the Northern Sun Conference, who has flashed during practice. His 6-foot-10 frame and ability to shoot made him an attractive portal candidate.
But as much as Richman likes his newcomers, it's the seven returning players he's most impressed with. That starts with senior Jacari White, another captain and redshirt sophomore Noah Feddersen.
The 6-foot-10 Feddersen took a big leap forward during summer workouts.
"Noah Feddersen and I have had great conversations about tradition and legacy about Bison basketball. Noah is talented and takes pride in himself and the program."
With more than half of his roster as newcomers, Richman understands there will be some adjustment time. NDSU plays an anticipated exhibition game against Minnesota State Moorhead on Oct. 23 before opening the season on Nov. 4 with Jamestown.
The Summit League seems to be wide open on the men's side this winter. With portal defections across the league, nine of the top ten players in the league last season are gone.
That could make for a wild conference season, something Richman is getting his team prepared for.
"I want us to be progressing towards our best basketball in late February and March. I like being around each other, this team has depth and maturity.