Article

Transfer guard has provided spark for MSU's 11-0 start

Special Edition

By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — It drove him nuts, during the game and well afterward.

Every time a Minnesota State player hit a 3-pointer, the public-address announcer at Bresnan Arena let out a high-pitched "whooooooooooo."

And that night, a 102-84 upset win over South Dakota State, there were a school-record 16 3-pointers - which made for a lot of "whoooooooooos."

"I think I heard that (sound) in my sleep," Andy Moeller said. "I'm starting to get used to it. I enjoy it more now."

Moeller, a senior guard, played for South Dakota State that night, but now he's running with the Mavericks (11-0), and having a lot of fun.

"We're off to a great start, but that doesn't mean much if you're not playing well at the end of the year," he said. "I want to make sure that come February, we're playing at our highest level."

Moeller transferred after spending four years at South Dakota State, leaving behind friends and coaches, some of whom weren't happy with Moeller's decision. But when the feisty guard steps onto the court, his main goal is winning. With SDSU jumping to Division I with the likely losses, no conference games or the opportunity for postseason play, he decided it was best to leave.

"I have no regrets," he said.

Moeller is soft-spoken - a sharp contrast to the flashy, sometimes showman-like, personality he displays during competition. He plays hard, both with the ball and while defending it, and he's given the Mavericks some toughness that they lacked in the past.

"He demands people's respect with how hard he plays," coach Matt Margenthaler said. "It's taken some time, but he understands how important he is to our team."

Margenthaler first saw Moeller as a high schooler at Le Claire, Iowa, and Margenthaler, then an assistant at South Dakota State, was struck by Moeller's intensity.

"He had the athleticism, but the thing is, he was always the most competitive player on the floor," Margenthaler said.

During Moeller's three seasons as a Jackrabbit, he was always among the top players in the league, earning two all-conference awards. Last season, he was an all-region selection after averaging 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists while setting school records with 85 3-pointers in 207 attempts.

This season, he's backed off some offensively, averaging 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in a team-high 28 minutes per game, despite battling shin splints and a knee injury suffered in an exhibition game.

He's back at point guard, where he played in high school and as a sophomore at South Dakota State, making sure others get their shots before he takes his.

"My teammates have been great, I give them a lot of credit for making the transition pretty easy," Moeller said. "I understand that we have a lot of talent and a lot of scorers, so part of me being a good teammate is trying to find my role."

His spark hasn't gone unnoticed by teammates. Senior forward Jamel Staten has been the conference's player of the week three times this season, in part because of Moeller's teamwork.

"He's such a winner," Staten said. "He's been a great addition to the team."

Moeller, who will transfer back to South Dakota State in the fall to complete his student teaching, will gladly trade points for victories; he's here for only one reason. The Mavericks have a chance to win the conference and get to the national tournament, and he's the only player on the roster with that kind of experience.

"At South Dakota State, we were expected to win," he said. "People here know we're good, but they're not sure if we can keep it going.

"If we keep playing together and playing defense, we can compete at the national level. I'm going to do everything I can."