Sarah Hawbaker
Lindsborg News Record

After a 7-11 KCAC record (9-18 overall), Bethany Head Men's Basketball Coach, Clair Oleen, said the key for his team is to learn to deal with adversity.

"Last year was totally unacceptable," Oleen said at KCAC Media Day held Oct. 9 in Wichita, Kan.

In the KCAC Preseason Media Poll the Swedes were picked to finish seventh, while the coaches picked Bethany to finish eighth.

Oleen said because the game of basketball is so much about making runs and is a game of momentum, dealing with adversity when the game isn't going so well.

Oleen will look to the leadership provided by his seniors for this. Seniors include Trey Beachum, Danny Dodson, Jason Mihalcin and Ray Purtle.

Other top returners include Vincent Roybal, Seth Nelson and Wade Ahlvers.

Oleen's top player, "hands down," for this season is Idris Ibn Idris, a 6'5" junior from San Diego, Calif., who will be eligible at the end of the fall semester.

Other transfers include Dwight Abad, a 5'9" all-conference point guard from Las Pasitas Community College; and Luis Marrero, a 6'2" guard from Cuesta College.

Notable freshman include Cedric Childress, a 6'3" guard from Vista High School (Calif.); Larry McLin, a 6'1" guard from Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs; and Jordan Jordan Bieberle, a 6'1" guard from Wichita, Kan.

In addition to new players, the Bethany men's basketball team welcomes new assistant coach Denver Cobb. Cobb comes to Bethany from the University of South Florida where he served as a graduate assistant.

The Swedes open their regular season Nov. 3 at Johnson & Wales University.

Full Media Poll
University of Saint Mary, McPherson College, Ottawa University, Tabor College, Sterling College, Friends University, Bethany College, Southwestern College, Bethel College, Kansas Wesleyan.

Full Coaches Poll
University of Saint Mary, McPherson College, Ottawa University, Tabor College, Sterling College, Friends University, Southwestern College, Bethany College, Bethel College, Kansas Wesleyan.