USF Cougars pivot to defense after star Brogan Madson departs via portal
Coach Chris Johnson aims to counter the loss of the team's leading scorer by tightening up a unit that allowed opponents to shoot 49 percent last season.
By Rosa Wojcik ·
Brogan Madson, the 2026 NSIC freshman of the year, left the University of Sioux Falls for St. Thomas, forcing the Cougars to rebuild their offensive identity. The transfer, who averaged 19.1 points per game in his lone season at USF, has played seven minutes and scored two points in the Tommies' first three games.
Madson's departure removed the primary engine from a squad that finished 15-15 last year. The team previously relied on a high-scoring style, averaging 85.5 points per game while allowing 85.0. That approach resulted in opponents shooting 49 percent against the Cougars, a statistic that prompted coach Chris Johnson to shift his strategy.
Johnson, entering his 19th season with a career record of 298-227, stated that the team will focus on defensive orientation. He noted that winning consistently through high-scoring shootouts is difficult, even if that style is entertaining for fans. "This is a little bit more of my type of team, more defensive oriented," Johnson said.
The Cougars return several key contributors who were part of last year's core. Taylen Ashley, Kyle Ingwerson, and Jacoby Mehrman all return to the roster. Ashley, a former All-State football player at SF Jefferson, served as the team's playmaker and averaged 16.0 points last season.
Ingwerson provided secondary scoring and rebounding support, averaging 13.6 points and 5.0 rebounds. Mehrman, a former star at Harrisburg, contributed 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Veterans Alex Mattes and Gerard Bosch round out the returning group, with Bosch averaging 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 points, and Mattes adding 5.8 points.
Unlike many programs that rely heavily on transfer players, Johnson did not bring in a large group of experienced additions. The coaching staff will look to incoming freshmen to fill gaps and provide depth. This approach requires a longer evaluation period compared to teams with established rosters.
The season begins on Monday against Upper Iowa, a former NSIC rival. Johnson acknowledged that determining the team's true level of competition is challenging in the current college basketball environment. He compared the uncertainty to past seasons where key players emerged late in the developmental process.
"I don't think anyone knows until January how good they really are," Johnson said. He noted that the landscape of college basketball has changed significantly, making it difficult for coaches to assess their own teams and opponents with precision early in the year.
The Cougars face the task of replacing 19.1 points per game while improving their defensive efficiency. The goal is to reduce the 49 percent field goal percentage opponents achieved last year. Johnson expressed optimism that the return of experienced guards and the addition of freshmen will allow the team to maintain offensive production while establishing a stronger defensive foundation.
