University of St. Thomas Athletics
Tommie Men’s Basketball ushers in new era in 2025-26
10/29/2025 11:21:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Tommies enter first full Division I season ranked among nation’s top mid-majors
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The 2025-26 campaign marks the dawn of a new chapter for St. Thomas Men's Basketball - one defined by growth, achievement, and a permanent place in the Division I landscape.
As the Tommies embark on their 117th season in program history, Head Coach Johnny Tauer begins his 15th year at the helm with a career record of 291-107, including 73-57 since the program's transition to Division I as the second most successful team ever during its respective transition period.
A New Home, A Historic Opening
The season's first home game will be unlike any in St. Thomas history. On Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, the Tommies will open its home schedule the state-of-the-art Lee & Penny Anderson Arena against Army West Point, launching a new era of Tommie basketball.
The matchup carries deep meaning beyond the court. Arena benefactor Lee Anderson, a West Point graduate, has long supported both institutions through his philanthropy. Adding to the connection, Edward C. Christl, namesake of Army's Christl Arena, grew up in Minneapolis and attended St. Thomas before entering the U.S. Military Academy in 1941. Christl was killed in action in 1945 and is buried at West Point Cemetery - his story linking the two universities through service, sacrifice, and shared legacy.
The contest symbolizes more than a home debut - it's a convergence of history, purpose, and vision as the Tommies take the floor in their new home for the first time.
A Test of Mettle to Begin
Before the Anderson Arena opener, St. Thomas will open the season with a road challenge on Monday, Nov. 3 at Saint Mary's (CA), one of the premier mid-major programs in the nation. The Gaels enter the year receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches Top 25 polls after finishing No. 24 in the AP and No. 22 in the Coaches Poll last season.
Under 25th-year Head Coach Randy Bennett (562-222, .717), Saint Mary's is projected to finish second in the West Coast Conference behind Gonzaga after winning consecutive outright regular-season titles. The Gaels have won at least 20 games in 17 straight seasons, reached the NCAA Tournament four straight years, and are one of just five programs nationally to earn a single-digit NCAA seed each of the last four seasons outside of a Power Four conference.
Transition Complete: Full Division I Membership
The 2025-26 season marks the Tommies' first year as full NCAA Division I members, completing the historic four-year reclassification from Division III - the only program ever to make the direct leap.
St. Thomas' 73 wins during its transition are the second most by any reclassifying program, reflecting one of the most successful transitions in NCAA history. The Tommies' steady climb has included four straight years of improved win totals, capped by a 24-win season in 2024-25 and a run to the Summit League Championship title game.
Preseason Accolades and Expectations
After last year's runner-up finish, St. Thomas was voted first in the Summit League Preseason Poll, while sophomore guard Nolan Minessale was named Preseason Player of the Year. Minessale and redshirt junior forward Carter Bjerke were both selected to the Preseason All-Summit League First Team.
The national mid-major landscape has also taken notice. The Tommies appear in four major preseason rankings:
· Field of 68 Mid-Major Top 25 – No. 13 (only Summit League team)
· T3Bracketology Mid-Major Top 32 – No. 13 (only Summit League team)
· Ryan Hammer Mid-Major Top 20 – No. 6 (only Summit League team)
· Sports Illustrated Complete Division I Rankings – No. 124 (highest-ranked Summit League program)
· ESPN One of the "Most Intriguing Mid-Majors"
Key Returners
The Tommies return a strong core led by Minessale, Bjerke, and graduate guard Ryan Dufault:
· #4 Nolan Minessale (G, 6-5, 200, So.) – 11.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 56.2 FG%
· #12 Ryan Dufault (G, 6-0, 195, Gr.) – 5.7 PPG, 1.6 APG, 1.92 A/TO Ratio, 55.9 FG%
· #32 Carter Bjerke (F, 6-9, 225, R-Jr.) – 9.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 41.6 3FG%, 46.7 FG%
Dynamic Newcomers Bolster Roster
Five newcomers - all with at least three years of eligibility - join the Tommies, including three Power Four transfers and two ESPN four-star recruits. The group combines local roots, championship experience, and national-level pedigree.
· #0 Isaiah Johnson-Arigu (F, 6-7, 215, So., Miami/Iowa) – Four-star ESPN recruit, back-to-back state titles at Totino-Grace; No. 2 ranked player in Minnesota out of high school.
· #10 Tommy Humphries Jr. (G, 6-5, 205, R-So., Furman) – Totino-Grace graduate and two-time state champion; ranked No. 5 in Minnesota coming out of high school.
· #11 Austin Herro (G, 6-3, 180, R-So., South Carolina) – Brother of NBA All-Star Tyler Herro; played AAU with Milan Momcilovic.
· #13 Luka Momcilovic (F, 6-7, 220, Fr.) – Averaged 16.8 PPG and 8.1 RPG in high school; multiple-time all-conference pick with two state titles and one runner-up finish.
· #23 Nick Janowski (G, 6-4, 210, R-Fr., Nebraska) – Four-star ESPN recruit; former teammate of Luka and Milan Momcilovic.
2024-25 Recap: A Record-Breaking Transition Finale
The 2024-25 season was the most successful of the transition era. St. Thomas advanced to its first Summit League Championship title game, finished second in the regular season standings, and posted a .706 winning percentage - the best in the league.
The Tommies went 24-10 overall, including 14-0 at home, tying St. John's (NY) for the longest active Division I home winning streak (18 games). St. Thomas ranked third nationally in effective field goal percentage (.582) and was the only program in the country to rank among the top 20 in 2-point FG%, 3-point FG%, free throw percentage, and turnover margin.
Defensively disciplined and offensively efficient, St. Thomas was one of only three programs nationally (Iowa, Wisconsin, St. Thomas) to average fewer than 10 turnovers per game in each of the last four seasons. The Tommies have also had five or fewer undergraduate transfers since 2021-22 - one of only four programs in Division I to do so.
The season also featured a program-record four All-Summit League selections and national recognition for academic excellence, with Carter Bjerke and Ben Oosterbaan earning CSC Academic All-District honors.
Culture of Champions
The Tommies' roster carries a winning pedigree: 16 high school state championships between nine athletes and seven runner-up finishes across seven athletes.
Looking Ahead
Now fully eligible for NCAA postseason play, St. Thomas stands poised to make immediate noise on the national stage. Ranked among the nation's top mid-majors, anchored by an experienced core, and opening a new era in the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, the Tommies are fully ready for life within Division I.
Follow Along
For more information on St. Thomas Men's Basketball, follow along on X at @TommieMBBall and Instagram at @tommiehoops. Tommie Athletics is now on TikTok at @tommiesports.
Join Us
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommie's 2025-26 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
As the Tommies embark on their 117th season in program history, Head Coach Johnny Tauer begins his 15th year at the helm with a career record of 291-107, including 73-57 since the program's transition to Division I as the second most successful team ever during its respective transition period.
A New Home, A Historic Opening
The season's first home game will be unlike any in St. Thomas history. On Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, the Tommies will open its home schedule the state-of-the-art Lee & Penny Anderson Arena against Army West Point, launching a new era of Tommie basketball.
The matchup carries deep meaning beyond the court. Arena benefactor Lee Anderson, a West Point graduate, has long supported both institutions through his philanthropy. Adding to the connection, Edward C. Christl, namesake of Army's Christl Arena, grew up in Minneapolis and attended St. Thomas before entering the U.S. Military Academy in 1941. Christl was killed in action in 1945 and is buried at West Point Cemetery - his story linking the two universities through service, sacrifice, and shared legacy.
The contest symbolizes more than a home debut - it's a convergence of history, purpose, and vision as the Tommies take the floor in their new home for the first time.
A Test of Mettle to Begin
Before the Anderson Arena opener, St. Thomas will open the season with a road challenge on Monday, Nov. 3 at Saint Mary's (CA), one of the premier mid-major programs in the nation. The Gaels enter the year receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches Top 25 polls after finishing No. 24 in the AP and No. 22 in the Coaches Poll last season.
Under 25th-year Head Coach Randy Bennett (562-222, .717), Saint Mary's is projected to finish second in the West Coast Conference behind Gonzaga after winning consecutive outright regular-season titles. The Gaels have won at least 20 games in 17 straight seasons, reached the NCAA Tournament four straight years, and are one of just five programs nationally to earn a single-digit NCAA seed each of the last four seasons outside of a Power Four conference.
Transition Complete: Full Division I Membership
The 2025-26 season marks the Tommies' first year as full NCAA Division I members, completing the historic four-year reclassification from Division III - the only program ever to make the direct leap.
St. Thomas' 73 wins during its transition are the second most by any reclassifying program, reflecting one of the most successful transitions in NCAA history. The Tommies' steady climb has included four straight years of improved win totals, capped by a 24-win season in 2024-25 and a run to the Summit League Championship title game.
Preseason Accolades and Expectations
After last year's runner-up finish, St. Thomas was voted first in the Summit League Preseason Poll, while sophomore guard Nolan Minessale was named Preseason Player of the Year. Minessale and redshirt junior forward Carter Bjerke were both selected to the Preseason All-Summit League First Team.
The national mid-major landscape has also taken notice. The Tommies appear in four major preseason rankings:
· Field of 68 Mid-Major Top 25 – No. 13 (only Summit League team)
· T3Bracketology Mid-Major Top 32 – No. 13 (only Summit League team)
· Ryan Hammer Mid-Major Top 20 – No. 6 (only Summit League team)
· Sports Illustrated Complete Division I Rankings – No. 124 (highest-ranked Summit League program)
· ESPN One of the "Most Intriguing Mid-Majors"
Key Returners
The Tommies return a strong core led by Minessale, Bjerke, and graduate guard Ryan Dufault:
· #4 Nolan Minessale (G, 6-5, 200, So.) – 11.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 56.2 FG%
· #12 Ryan Dufault (G, 6-0, 195, Gr.) – 5.7 PPG, 1.6 APG, 1.92 A/TO Ratio, 55.9 FG%
· #32 Carter Bjerke (F, 6-9, 225, R-Jr.) – 9.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 41.6 3FG%, 46.7 FG%
Dynamic Newcomers Bolster Roster
Five newcomers - all with at least three years of eligibility - join the Tommies, including three Power Four transfers and two ESPN four-star recruits. The group combines local roots, championship experience, and national-level pedigree.
· #0 Isaiah Johnson-Arigu (F, 6-7, 215, So., Miami/Iowa) – Four-star ESPN recruit, back-to-back state titles at Totino-Grace; No. 2 ranked player in Minnesota out of high school.
· #10 Tommy Humphries Jr. (G, 6-5, 205, R-So., Furman) – Totino-Grace graduate and two-time state champion; ranked No. 5 in Minnesota coming out of high school.
· #11 Austin Herro (G, 6-3, 180, R-So., South Carolina) – Brother of NBA All-Star Tyler Herro; played AAU with Milan Momcilovic.
· #13 Luka Momcilovic (F, 6-7, 220, Fr.) – Averaged 16.8 PPG and 8.1 RPG in high school; multiple-time all-conference pick with two state titles and one runner-up finish.
· #23 Nick Janowski (G, 6-4, 210, R-Fr., Nebraska) – Four-star ESPN recruit; former teammate of Luka and Milan Momcilovic.
2024-25 Recap: A Record-Breaking Transition Finale
The 2024-25 season was the most successful of the transition era. St. Thomas advanced to its first Summit League Championship title game, finished second in the regular season standings, and posted a .706 winning percentage - the best in the league.
The Tommies went 24-10 overall, including 14-0 at home, tying St. John's (NY) for the longest active Division I home winning streak (18 games). St. Thomas ranked third nationally in effective field goal percentage (.582) and was the only program in the country to rank among the top 20 in 2-point FG%, 3-point FG%, free throw percentage, and turnover margin.
Defensively disciplined and offensively efficient, St. Thomas was one of only three programs nationally (Iowa, Wisconsin, St. Thomas) to average fewer than 10 turnovers per game in each of the last four seasons. The Tommies have also had five or fewer undergraduate transfers since 2021-22 - one of only four programs in Division I to do so.
The season also featured a program-record four All-Summit League selections and national recognition for academic excellence, with Carter Bjerke and Ben Oosterbaan earning CSC Academic All-District honors.
Culture of Champions
The Tommies' roster carries a winning pedigree: 16 high school state championships between nine athletes and seven runner-up finishes across seven athletes.
Looking Ahead
Now fully eligible for NCAA postseason play, St. Thomas stands poised to make immediate noise on the national stage. Ranked among the nation's top mid-majors, anchored by an experienced core, and opening a new era in the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, the Tommies are fully ready for life within Division I.
Follow Along
For more information on St. Thomas Men's Basketball, follow along on X at @TommieMBBall and Instagram at @tommiehoops. Tommie Athletics is now on TikTok at @tommiesports.
Join Us
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommie's 2025-26 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
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