GSAC Preview Series: Concordia Irvine Eagles

In 1962, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) built a Lutheran college in Irvine, California. This college was originally called Christ College and in 1973 Rev. Dr. Charles Manske became the first president. In February of 1993, the Board of Regents changed the school’s name to it’s current name Concordia University Irvine. This is the tenth campus in the national Concordia University System. The CUS is the second largest church-related school system in the United States.

Quick Facts:

Ken Ammann:

Concordia’s athletic teams are the Eagles. Their men’s basketball team is coached by Ken Ammann who enters his 14th season with the Eagles. He has won at least 21 games in 11 of his 13 seasons and has six 30 win seasons.

Photo Courtesy of Concordia Athletic Website

Eagles Attack:

This year’s Eagles team will rely on three players.

Matt Scott is a 6’4″ junior guard who can attack the basket and get to the free-throw line by drawing contact on drives.  Through seven games this season, Scott is shooting 71 percent from the free-throw line and 39.8% from the field. He is averaging 13.6 points per game. His athleticism allows him to finish plays on defense by rebounding the ball. He has 24 rebounds, 17 being defensive rebounds.

Stephen Grosey is a 6’6″ junior forward who is averaging  17.1 points per game and 11.9 rebounds through seven games. His aggressive play allows him to average a double double. Like Scott, Grosey is able to finish defensive plays off with rebounds. Of his 83 rebounds, 50 are on the defensive end.

Mario Soto is a 6’6″ freshman guard who takes care of the ball, makes threes and gets to the free-throw line. This season he has 15 assists and three turnovers. He is shooting 42.2 percent from the field, 37 percent from the three-point line and 92.3 percent from the free-throw line. His composure will help the Eagles this season.

GSAC Outcome:

I am projecting the Eagles to finish in a tie for third in the GSAC with the Arizona Christian Firestorm. The Eagles lost three key contributors from last season (Kiefer Douse, Josh Smith, and Montreal Harris) and will need bench players to develop if they want to finish higher in the GSAC.

The GSAC (so far) According to Mark:

1st: The Master’s College Mustangs

3rd: Arizona Christian Firestorm

3rd: Concordia University Eagles

4th: BIOLA University Eagles

6th: Westmont Warriors

7th: San Diego Christian Hawks 

8th: William Jessup Warriors