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Home Page had the opportunity to get an inside look at the Mansfield University Men’s Basketball program. Mansfield University Correspondent Ryan Campbell spoke with star forward Joe Bell and asked him about some of his goals and mindsets. Bell had a great sophomore season last year and another great campaign during his junior year.

Joe started in all 28 games as a sophomore. He led the team and ranked seventh in the PSAC in scoring at 17.4 points a game. He scored in double-figures in all but two games this season, had 10 games of 20+ points and two games of 30+ points, matched his career high of 34 points in a win over Clarion. His 22 rebounds against Clarion were the second highest total in NCAA Division II last season. He ranked sixth in the PSAC in rebounding at 7.9 boards an outing and totaled eight games with double-digit rebounds. Bell was seventh in the conference in field goal percentage at 48.4% and shot 74.0% from the free throw line. He was named team Most Valuable Player and selected as the Mansfield Male Winter Athlete of the Year for two consecutive seasons.

Coach Rich Miller just completed his 9th season as the head coach of the Mountaineer basketball program. Now in his 14th season as part or the Mountaineer coaching staff, Miller served as assistant coach for six seasons before being promoted to head coach in 2005.

In his first year at the helm of the program, the Mountaineers reached the PSAC playoffs while narrowly missing a playoff berth in the final game of the season in each of the next two seasons. Mansfield returned to the PSAC playoffs in 2008-09 for the second time in Miller’s first four seasons as head coach.

During the 2009-10 season, Miller led the Mountaineers to a PSAC East regular season championship going 10-4 in conference games. The very next season, Miller’s team repeated as PSAC East champs and earned an NCAA tournament berth, the first for the Mountaineers since 1997. Miller was named PSAC East Coach of the Year for his efforts during the 2010-11 season.

Miller’s teams have ranked among the PSAC scoring leaders each season of his tenure, displaying an exciting up-tempo game that’s enjoyable to players and fans alike.

For the complete interview, be sure to click on the video link above!