Roseville's Mike Muscala Makes Minnesota Return

Mike Muscala, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound Bucknell junior, made his return to Minnesota as he had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

However, the Bison did not make another field goal after taking a 53-48 lead late in the game as they fell 70-58 to the Golden Gophers Friday.

Muscala was the Patriot League Player of the Year last season, the third sophomore ever to win that honor. He was an Associated Press honorable mention All-American and a National Association of Basketball Coaches First Team All-District 13 choice. Muscala earned First Team All-Patriot League honors and was named Patriot League Tournament MVP after leading the Bison to their first championship since 2006. He led the Patriot League in blocked shots in each of his two seasons and after only two seasons already ranks third on the school's career blocks list with 132.

Muscala led the Bison in scoring (14.9), rebounding (7.3), FG% (.517) and blocked shots (67) last year. He paced the Patriot League in blocks and ranked third in field goal percentage, fourth in rebounding and seventh in scoring. Muscala led the Bison to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to eventual champion Connecticut in the first round. 

Muscala finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to Minnesota, but he was just two of ten from the field. Patch.com caught up with the former Roseville standout to learn more about his return to the Twin Cities, the upcoming season and memories of his hometown.

Roseville Patch: What was it like to come back home and playing in Williams Arena?

Mike Muscala: It was fun. I had been looking forward to it. Disappointed with loss. I think that we kind of gave it away at the end. They are a really good team. We definitely wanted to come in and get the win, but we’ll bounce back.

Roseville Patch: Did you have a lot of family and friends for the game

Mike Muscala: Yes, about 150. I had a lot. I wanted to play a little bit better in front of them, but I thought that we played really well as a team and I think that if we get a little better on the glass, we’ll be fine.

Roseville Patch: I heard that your dad helped organize the night, is that right?

Mike Muscala: He helped organize the tickets and  helped get my friends all the tickets. He was able to take the responsibility from me, so I could just focus on the game.

Roseville Patch: Have you had a chance to do anything with your friends and family? 

Mike Muscala: Not yet. We don’t leave until 8 tomorrow, so maybe I’ll be able to go out to eat with them.

Roseville Patch: You have four starters back this season, including yourself. What are the expectations for you guys this year? 

Mike Muscala: We are going to take it one game at a time. In a game like this, we expected to win and we weren’t able to do it. I think we are just going to take it one game at a time. I know that we are a tough team. We are a better rebounding team this year, but we have to continue to get better at it and I have to make more shots.

Roseville Patch: You played Vanderbilt next. Do you like playing those tough major conference games to get battle-tested for Patriot League play?

Mike Muscala: Definitely. It is a much different competition level. Different players, more athleticism. It is good for our team. It is good that it is right away because it really forces us to limit our turnovers and do a better job on the glass.

Roseville Patch: What things did you really focus on this summer to get ready for a big junior year?

Mike Muscala: I tried to improve my rebounding and be better on the glass. Try to be more physical. That was the biggest thing, but I think now, being more patient on offense and let the game come to me a little more.

Roseville Patch: You are up to 6-foot-11 and 235 pounds. What were you at Roseville? 

Mike Muscala: 6-foot-9 and 205 maybe. I have just been in the weight room. I don’t have a big body type. A lot of people see my skinny arms, but I work hard in the weight room. I am never going to be a big, lumbering guy, but I definitely have to get stronger to be a better force on the glass.

Roseville Patch: You played in the Howard Pro-Am Summer League on the same team with Minnesota power forward Trevor Mbakwe and you played high school and AAU basketball with several other Gopher players. What was it like playing against them?

Mike Muscala: It was great to see them. We said ‘What’s up?” before the game.

Roseville Patch: When you look back at your time at Roseville, what stands out as some of the highlights? 

Mike Muscala: Just the time with the teammates and coaches. I had a really good group of guys that I was able to play with and I know that some of the coaches and teammates from that team were here tonight and that was really special. I wish that I could have played better in front of them, but I think that they were just glad to see me. I was glad to see them.

Roseville Patch: I know that you come back in the summer and play, but are you able to make it back much with your busy schedule?

Mike Muscala: During the year, like Christmas, we get three days. That is better than nothing.

Roseville Patch: Do your parents get up to many of your games? 

Mike Muscala: They make some games, like last year when we were in the Patriot League Tournament, they came to all those games. My dad is going to come out for our Thanksgiving tournament. They get to a few.

Muscala would love nothing more than having his family watch him back in the NCAA Tournament.