For Immediate Release
Thursday, October 26, 2017
NSIC Media Relations
PDF Release

Northern State University Tabbed NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Overall & North Favorite
SMSU Picked in South

BURNSVILLE, Minn. -  Northern State University was selected by the league coaches as the overall and north division preseason favorite in the NSIC for the 2017-18 season.  The Wolves received eight first place votes and amassed 213 points, just two ahead of Southwest Minnesota State (211), which received seven first place votes.  Augustana was third with 190 points while MSU Moorhead was fourth with 187 points and a first place vote.  The coaches’ top choice in the south division was SMSU, which edged Augustana by one points, 45-44.  

NSIC coaches rank each team from 1 to 15 with a first place vote receiving 15 points, second place 14, third place 13, etc. Coaches do not rank their own team or vote for their own players.  
 

Overall	Points		North Division	Points
1. Northern State (8)	213		1. Northern State (6)	48
2. Southwest Minnesota State (7)	211		2. MSU Moorhead (2)	42
3. Augustana	190		3. St. Cloud State	38
4. MSU Moorhead (1)	187		4. Minot State	32
5. Minnesota State	172		5. Bemidji State	24
6. St. Cloud State	153		6. Minnesota Duluth	19
7. Minot State	134		7. Minnesota Crookston	13
8. Upper Iowa	123		8. University of Mary	8
9. Sioux Falls	97		South Division	Points
10. Bemidji State	92		1. Southwest Minnesota State (4)	45
11. Wayne State	91		2. Augustana (2)	44
12. Winona State	90		3. Minnesota State (1)	37
13. Minnesota Duluth	46		4. Upper Iowa (1)	32
14. Concordia-St. Paul	44		5. Sioux Falls	23
Minnesota Crookston	44		6. Wayne State	20
16. University of Mary	33		7. Winona State	15
first place votes in ( )			8. Concordia-St. Paul	8

The regular season championship will be based on the 22-game NSIC schedule.  Each team will play teams in their division twice (14) and teams in the other division once (8).  An NSIC North and South Division Champion will also be awarded.  Divisional standings will also be based on all 22 NSIC contests played.  In the case of a tie, co-champions will be awarded. The 16-team NSIC / Sanford Health Men’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championships are set to take place Sat.-Tues., Feb. 24, 26-27 at the Sanford Health Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.  First round games will be played on the campus of the top eight seeds on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

The 2017-18 men’s basketball season gets underway on Friday, November 2 with conference action beginning the week of November 20. 



#20 Gage Davis (G, 6-4, 185, R-Jr., Bolingbrook, Ill. / Bolingbrook HS)
St. Cloud State University
- A two-time First Team All-NSIC selection
- Was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year in 2015-16
- Has earned NSIC North Player of the Week honors six times in his first two seasons
- Led the NSIC in scoring in 2016-17 at 22.5 points per game
- Placed third in the NSIC in rebounding at 8.9 per contest
- Was fourth in the league in assists (133) and seventh in assists per game (4.0)
- Ranked in the top 10 in the league in 16 different categories
- Set the league-only record with 544 points and his average of 24.7 in NSIC contest was the highest of any player since 1996-97
- Came within one point of tying the school single season scoring mark
- Totaled 14 double-doubles as a sophomore and has 24 double-doubles in the first 62 games of his SCSU career



#3 Ryan Bruggeman (G, 6-0, 177, Jr., Pelican Rapids, Minn. / Pelican Rapids HS)
Southwest Minnesota State
- Has started every game his first two seasons
- Has dished out 292 assists ranking fifth in team history
- His 4.7 assists per game ranks first in team history
- Set team sophomore record for points, assists and steals in a single-season
- Named 2017 first team All-NSIC
- Named MVP of NSIC Tournament
- Selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament team
- Led SMSU in scoring (15.5), field goals made (181), free throws made (137) and assists (166) last season
- His 166 assists rank second in team single-season history
- Finished the 2016-17 season shooting 51 percent from the field
- Ranked fourth in the NSIC in free throw pct., fourth in assists, fifth in steals and 11th in assist/turnover ratio last season
 

Augustana University Vikings

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letterwinners Returning	2016-17 Standings
24-9, 16-6 South	2 / 3	7	t-4th Overall, t-2nd South
Team Preview
A year after winning the Division II national championship, the Vikings men exceeded expectations last year with a 24-9 record and a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, which came to an end at the hands of the eventual national champion Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Looking ahead to 2017-18 with just four players left from that championship team, seven letterwinners and three starters remaining from last year's squad, the Vikings look to start fresh with a mix of some familiar names and some new faces. All-American honorable mention and first-team all NSIC selection Jordan Spencer returns to his starting role at point guard for one more season, while junior Jon Warren joins him in the backcourt as the team’s two returning starters. Spencer started all 33 games as a junior, averaging 15.9 points, 7.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, while Warren played in all 33 games, with 32 starts, and averaged 9.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Senior Marcus Asmus represents the only other player on the roster with a start to his credit, as he started two games last year, but he, along with senior Steven Schaefer, and sophomores Andy Kerkman and Levi Jansen logged significant minutes last season, and can help mentor the rest of the squad, which includes six new faces; four freshman and two transfers.
Player to Watch
#23 Jordan Spencer (6-2, 180, Sr. G, Milton Keynes, England / Shenley Brook End School)
First game
Friday, Nov. 3 vs. Southern Indiana – 5 p.m. (SCB Hall of Fame Classic; Evansville, Ind.)

 

Bemidji State University Beavers

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
10-18, 8-14 North	4 / 1	6	12th Overall, 6th North
Team Preview
The 2017-18 Bemidji State University men’s basketball program continues to build its core of young players, which includes a roster of two seniors and 13 underclassmen. Senior guards Sharif Black and Christian Pekarek are the lone two upperclassmen who both return after starting the majority of BSU’s 28 games last season. Black ranks second among BSU’s returners with 12.7 points per game last season and led the team with 3.2 assists per game. Sophomore guard Jai’Vionne Green, BSU’s Player to Watch, leads the young Beavers after setting a program record for a true freshman with 454 points last season. His 16.2 points per game led Bemidji State while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from beyond the arc. Green added 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Sophomore forward Logan Bader is the last remaining starter that returns after his freshman campaign, in which he averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. January was the most successful month of the season for the Beavers as they went on to win five of seven games during the middle of the month. The highlight win of the stretch was a home game against Southwest Minnesota State, 96-86, after the Mustangs received votes in the ABCA Top 25 Poll. Bemidji State was bounced out of the NSIC Tournament in the first round after a 74-63 loss to Augustana in Sioux Falls, S.D. Head Coach Mike Boschee, entering his sixth season with Bemidji State, brings in six newcomers for the 2017-18 season. All true freshmen, three guards and three forwards will join the already young squad with a chance to make an immediate impact within the conference.
Player to Watch
#4 Jai’Vionne Green (G, 6-4, 175, So., Wauwatosa, Wis. / Wauwatosa East HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Lindenwood – 5:30 p.m.

 

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
6-25, 2-20 South	4 / 1	7	16th Overall, 8th South
Team Preview
The Golden Bears enter the 2017-18 season with another young squad as the roster features just one senior. The highlight of the season last year came in the opening round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament as Concordia shocked top-seeded MSU Moorhead with an 86-78 win on the road to advance to the quarterfinals at the Sanford Pentagon. At the Pentagon, CSP nearly pulled off another upset as they trailed Minnesota State by just one at the break before the Mavericks pulled away in the second half. While the Golden Bears will once again feature a young roster, this year’s version brings much more experience to the table as six of the team’s eight leading scorers were returners. Leading the way last season was Concordia’s player to watch, Bryndan Matthews. Matthews paced the squad in most statistical categories as he put up 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 32.5 minutes per game. The Eagan native finished fifth in the NSIC in rebounds per game and steals per game while ranking 18th in scoring. Joining Matthews as regular starters from last year’s team are sophomores Ted Brown, Max Keefe and Sam Siganos as well as junior Brandon McRoy and senior Ahmad Newsome. Four of those five made at least 15 starts while all five played at least 13.6 minutes per game. Along with the returners, CSP welcomes a pair of transfers in Elliot Kane (NDSCS & UIU) and Evan Wesenberg (NDSU) as well as a pair of freshmen in Cody Carlson and Kenny Holz.
Player to Watch
#23 Bryndan Matthews (G, 6-4, 190, Jr., Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Arkansas Monticello – 5 p.m.

University of Mary Marauders

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
12-17, 10-12 North	1 / 5	3	t-8th Overall, t-4th North
Team Preview
The University of Mary returns one starter and just three letterwinners from last year’s squad. While there will be a lot of new faces for the fans, not all of those fresh faces are new to head coach Joe Kittell’s program. The Marauders graduated a pair of 1,000 point scorers, including two-time All-NSIC forward Bryan Jefferson, and six seniors total. Senior forward Trevor Zacher is the Marauders leading returning scorer. A starter in 13 games last season, the Beulah, ND, native averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He was second on the squad with 37 3-pointers. Fellow senior Michael Gorder is the veteran on the team, logging 67 games in his first three seasons as a key reserve in the front court. Sophomore guard Jaylan White was a key reserve in the backcourt for the Marauders and averaged over 10 minutes a game. Junior forward Tony Kubank, sophomore guard Evan Anderson, and redshirt freshmen Connor Hellebust, Levi Claggett and Matthew Kreklow were all with the Marauders last season but sat out the year as the Marauders featured its six seniors. Newcomers include junior college transfers Keith Hunter, Brody Sharkey and Melvin Collins and freshmen Wyatt Carr, Justin Engg, Lucas Mayer and Zac Olson. UMary fans got a good look at the 2017-18 team when the Marauders opened their exhibition season with an 81-56 home win over Mayville State. Showing off defense and depth, all 15 Marauders played and contributed to the win.
Player to Watch
#14 Trevor Zacher (F, 6-5, 215, Sr., Beulah, N.D. / Beulah HS / SD School of Mines / Bismarck State College)
First game
Monday, Nov. 13 vs. University of Jamestown - 7 p.m.

 

University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
8-21, 4-18 North	3/2	7	14th Overall, 7th North
Team Preview
Minnesota Crookston returns a more experienced team to the fray for the 2017-18 season with three returning starters and seven returning players. Harrison Cleary, Chase Knickerbocker and Gable Smith were all key starters for Minnesota Crookston last season, with Chase Johnson also earning time as a starter for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston will look to returning NSIC Freshman of the Year Harrison Cleary to lead the way. Cleary had one of the best single-season performances of a player in program history, breaking the single-season points, field goals and free throws mark of NSIC great Joe Hasz, who still ranks fourth all-time in scoring in the conference. Cleary also earned national awards from Division II Bulletin and Hero Sports last season. Chase Knickerbocker also returns after averaging 11.7 points per game last season. The Golden Eagles were very competitive last season, as they fell just one win shy of the most victories in program history. Minnesota Crookston had conference wins over Bemidji State, St. Cloud State, Concordia-St. Paul and U-Mary. They lost 12 games by 10 or less points last season, showing how close they were with a young squad. 2017-18 marks year four under Head Coach Dan Weisse. The Golden Eagles also return key reserves Darin Viken, Nate Lorenz and Aaron Hollcraft. In addition, look for newcomers Gabrys Sadaunykas, Ben Juhl, Alan Hodge, Jr., Joey Meyer and Javier Nicolau to make immediate impacts for Minnesota Crookston.
Player to Watch
#0 Harrison Cleary (G, 6-1, 180, So., Oak Creek, Wis. / Oak Creek HS)
First game
Fri., Nov. 10 – at Arkansas Tech, 7 p.m., Russellville, Ark.

 

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
4-25, 3-19 North	4 / 1	13	15th Overall, 8th North
Team Preview
The University of Minnesota Duluth finished last season 4-25 and 3-19 in the NSIC after it lost four starters and half of its roster. The Bulldogs return with a seasoned group for the 2017-18 campaign with four starters and all but two players from a season ago. Sixth-year head coach Matt Bowen brings in four freshmen and a junior transfer. UMD was seventh in the NSIC in scoring defense (76.5 ppg). Three of the team’s leading scorers return with sophomore forward Luke Harris leading the helm. Harris broke onto the scene shooting 45 percent from the floor and 37 percent from behind the arc. Sophomore guard Logan Rohrscheib will look to continue to spread the defense with his dangerous three-point shooting. Rohrscheib shot a robust 40 percent from three and averaged 2.0 threes per game, 15th best in the conference. Senior guard Kyle Schalow was the lone Bulldog to start all 29 games. Schalow posted 7.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and 2.8 assists per game and shot a team-best 88 percent from the charity stripe. His 2.8 assists per game ranked him 21st in the NSIC. UMD plays its first six games on the road before its hops on to the Romano Gymnasium hardwood floor on Dec. 8 against Southwest Minnesota State. The NSIC schedule has UMD with seven of its last 11 games at home.
Player to Watch
#21 Kyle Schalow (G, 6-2, 170, Sr., Sherwood, Wis. / Kaukauna HS)
First game
Saturday, Sept. 10 vs. Central Missouri – 7:30 p.m.

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
21-10, 17-5 South	2/3	6	t-6th Overall, 4th South
Team Preview
The Minnesota State men’s basketball teams returns six letter winners and six starters for its upcoming 2017-18 season. Juniors Cole Harper and Jay Knuth return after combining for 46 starts last season. Harper finished his season with an average of 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Senior Charlie Brown also returns for the Mavericks after averaging 8.8 points a game. At the start of the season, Brown scored more than 20 points in three of MSU’s first six games, including a season-high 26 against Wayne State. Also returning for the Mavericks are sophomores Cameron Kirksey and Kevin Kreiger. Kirksey played in all 31 games for the Mavericks last season as he shot 54% from the field and 46.7% from behind the three point line. Kirksey also tallied at least 10 points in seven games and finished fourth in the NSIC in blocks with 44. Krieger finished his freshman season shooting 47.4% from the field. Kreiger tallied a season-high 17 points and seven rebounds in MSU’s road win over Northern State. As a team, Minnesota State boasted the second-best scoring defense in the NSIC last season as it allowed 72.6 points per game, while averaging 77.4 points per game. The Mavericks also shot 46.6% from the field last season, to go along with a 73.8% showing from the free throw line. MSU also recorded 113 blocks and 146 steals.
Player to Watch
#21 Cameron Kirksey (F, 6-6, 205, So., Apple Valley, Minn. / Apple Valley HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 at Pittsburg State – 12 p.m.

 

Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
24-6, 19-3 North	1/4	6	1st overall; 1st NSIC North
Team Preview
MSUM won the NSIC regular-season title for the second time in three years in 2016-17 and also won the NSIC North title for the fourth straight year. The Dragons advanced to the NCAA tournament for a third straight year as well. MSUM is led by its lone senior, Tanner Kretchman, who led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.7) for a second straight year. Kretchman was All-NSIC first team and also All-District Central Region Second Team. Kretchman averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 assists per game. Also returning is sophomore forward Matt Anderson who averaged 8.0 points per game while shooting 59.3 percent from the field. Junior forward Addison Park averaged 7.7 points per game last season while shooting a team-best 69.4 percent from the field.
Player to Watch
#3 Tanner Kretchman (G, 6-0, Sr., Fargo, N.D. / Davies HS)
First game
Saturday, Nov. 10 vs. Henderson State in Lancaster, Texas - 3 p.m.

 

Minot State University Beavers

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
14-15, 10-12 North	3 / 2	7	8th Overall, 4th North
Team Preview
Minot State head coach Matt Murken will build his team around the return of three starters from last year’s squad that posted a 14-15 overall record and finished fourth in the NSIC North Division. Minot State, which finished 7-7 in the North Division, made its first-ever appearance in the NSIC Tournament last year. The Beavers will be led by Tyler Rudolph, a First Team All-NSIC and a D2CCA All-Central Region selection, who averaged 21.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Rudolph led the NSIC in rebounds with 291 and double-doubles with 14. Luis Ricci Maia and Russ Davis also return as starters for the Beavers. Ricci Maia averaged 13.0 points per game and was second on the team with 121 assists, while Davis averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Nathaniel Moore, Trevor Rothstein, Brandon Green and Liam McRae also return for Minot State.
Player to Watch
#24 Tyler Rudolph (F, 6-6, 230, Sr., Bismarck, N.D. / Century HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Southern Arkansas – 5 p.m.  (GAC/NSIC Challenge)

 

Northern State University Wolves

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
22-8, 17-5 North	4/1	10	3rd Overall, 2nd North
Team Preview
The Northern State University men’s basketball team returns four starters from their 22-8 season in 2016-17 and one starter from the 2015-16 squad who was out due to an injury a season ago, in Darin Peterka. Northern returns starters Ian Smith, DJ Pollard, Bo Fries, and Logan Doyle, as well as Gabe King, Justin Decker, and Carter Evans off the bench. The Wolves were the definition of road Warriors in 2016-17, going 13-1 in opposing gyms. Northern will look to sharpen things up at home, after a 9-5 record from Wachs Arena. For the tenth season in a row, the NSU men led the nation in NCAA DII attendance, averaging 3,552 fans per game. As a team the Wolves sat second in scoring offense (83.6), fourth in scoring margin (+6.8), fourth in field goal percentage (48.6), fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (40.5), fifth in free throw percentage (73.8), third in offensive rebounds (10.6), second in defensive rebounds (27.9), first in rebound margin (+6.9), and first in blocked shots (4.27) in the league. Doyle was named the Wolves player to watch after making an instant impact in 2016-17, being named the NSIC Newcomer of the Year and an NSIC First Team selection. He finished the year second in the league in offensive rebounds and blocked shots, and third in rebounding average. Northern opens the year with an exhibition match-up at Arizona State on October 26th, before facing three regional opponents (Washburn, Northwest Missouri State, and Southwest Minnesota State) in non-conference play.
Player to Watch
#35 Logan Doyle (F, 6-8, 225, Sr., Alexandria, Minn. / Jefferson Senior High)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs Washburn in St. Joseph, Mo. – 7 p.m.

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
15-17, 10-12 South	2/3	5	9th Overall, 5th South
Team Preview
Optimism is high for the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team which will mix youth with a group of veterans in a quest of moving up in the league standings. For the second straight season, the Cougars advanced to the NSIC Tournament Semifinals in 2016-17 before falling to the eventual tourney champion.  USF, 15-17 a year ago, including 10-12 in league play, will be directed USF all-time wins leader Chris Johnson, who has 156 victories. Two seniors return including 6-2 guard Zach Wessels (10.4 ppg, 3.5 apg, 4.9 rpg, 18 double digit scoring games) and 6-6 senior forward Tom Aase (5.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 133 career blocks, most in DII era at USF) as well as 6-8 junior forward Drew Guebert, the Cougars’ NSIC Player to Watch in 2017-18. Guebert led the team in scoring with 15.5 points (15th, NSIC) while grabbing 5.1 rebounds and blocking 16 shots.  He has 40 double digit scoring games, including 12 over 20 points, with 808 career points, 258 rebounds and has 137 career three-point field goals for seventh all-time at USF. Also back is 6-6 forward Tristian Teichmeier and 6-7 sophomore forward Devin Green. Others in the mix will be redshirt 6-8 redshirt freshman Teathloach Pal, 6-5 junior Justin Taylor, 6-8 redshirt freshman Austin Slater; 6-0 junior guard Trevon Evans; 6-4 freshman forward Chase Grinde; 6-4 freshman guard Drew Maschoff; and 6-6 senior guard/forward Jerrod Walton.  A year ago, the Cougars ranked as one of the league’s best defensive unit, allowing a league-best 71.2 points per game.
Player to Watch
#23 Drew Guebert (F, 6-8, 200, Jr., Apple Valley, Minn. / Eastview HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 at Emporia State - 7:30 p.m.

 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
28-6, 17-5 South	5 / 0	7	t-2nd Overall, 1st South
Team Preview
SMSU, ranked 14th in the Division II Bulletin preseason Top 25, returns both its leading scorer and top rebounder along with three of its top four scorers from last season's team that finished 28-6 overall including 17-5 in NSIC play. SMSU, which tied a school record with 28 victories, won the NSIC South Division title for the first time in team history and captured the NSIC tournament championship for the second time in program history. SMSU qualified for the NCAA tournament, advancing to the region championship game before losing to eventual national champion Northwest Missouri State. Junior guard Ryan Bruggeman started every game last season and led SMSU in scoring (15.5) and assists (166) while shooting 51 percent (181 of 356) from the field and 85 percent (137 of 162) from the free throw line. A first team All-NSIC honoree, Bruggeman was named MVP of the NSIC Tournament and was also selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament team. Junior guard Taylor Schafer came off the bench in all but two games last season to finish third on the team in scoring with 11.3 points per game while connecting on a team-high 58 3-pointers. Senior center Carter Kirk made 30 starts last season and averaged 10.2 ppg while leading the team with 7.3 rebounds per game. He shot a team-high 62 percent (132 of 214) from the field—ranking fourth in team single-season history—and led the team in blocked shots with 32.
Player to Watch
#3 Ryan Bruggeman (G, 6-0, 177, Jr., Pelican Rapids, Minn. / Pelican Rapids HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 vs. Fort Hays State – 5:30 p.m.

 

St. Cloud State University Huskies

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
19-14, 14-8 North	3 / 2	8	6th overall, 3rd in the South
Team Preview
The St. Cloud men’s basketball will attempt to take the next step forward after going 19-14 last season including a mark of 14-8 in the NSIC North. The program will be led by returning junior guard/forward Gage Davis. Davis has been an All-NSIC First Team selection in each of his first two seasons and is a NSIC Player to Watch this season. Davis, the leading scorer in the conference last season, ranked in the top 10 in the league in 16 different categories on his way to being selected as the weekly Player of the Week four times. The team also returns starting senior forwards Andy Foley and Jon Averkamp. Averkamp averaged double figures in points for the first time in his career last season at 12.9. He also ranked second in the league with his 61.9 shooting percentage. Foley was a lockdown wing defender that averaged 7.2 points per game and placed ninth in the conference in rebounding (6.1). Also returning and expected to play a more prominent role is sophomore point guard Trevon Marshall and junior wing Brindley Theisen. Theisen shot 37 percent from three-point range, while Marshall was able to reach double figures in three contests. The program will also count on guard Adam Heede-Andersen, guard Ryan Wynn and forward Jake Mussman to provide a spark off the bench. The team also brought in four newcomers in junior guard Jace Kitchen, freshman Drew Lewis, freshman forward Tristen Hull and junior forward Sean Smith that are expected to earn significant minutes in the rotation this season.
Player to Watch
#20 Gage Davis (Jr., 6-4, 185, Bolingbrook, Ill. / Bolingbrook HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 – Missouri Southern State in Pittsburg, Kansas - 2 p.m.

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
22-11, 16-6 South	3/2	5	T-5th Overall, 2nd NSIC South
Team Preview
The Peacocks enter the 2017-18 season with a lot of confidence after finishing 2016-17 with a school record 22 wins at NCAA Division II level. The team advanced to the NSIC Tournament Championship game for the first time in program history, and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament for just the second time ever, where they lost in overtime to the eventual National Champion Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Upper Iowa graduated five seniors from a season ago, but brings back multiple key players, including NSIC Player to Watch and First Team All-NSIC performer Carson Parker. Parker headlines a returning class that includes redshirt junior Dennis Austin III, senior Mitch Eighme, senior Kam Rowan, and junior Munachiso Okonkwo. Parker finished second on the team with 11.9 points per game, and brought late-game heroics to the squad, with buzzer-beating shots to win against Southwest Minnesota State, Augustana, and Minnesota Crookston, and to tie Northwest Missouri State. Parker enters the season with 933 points, and will become the 27th member of the 1,000 point club. Upper Iowa brings in new faces to the roster as well, including redshirt freshmen Jareese Williams, Peghuentz Pericles, and Anthony Williams, and four freshman and two transfers. This season marks the fifth for Head Coach Brooks McKowen, who has led the team to four consecutive top four finishes in the division.
Player to Watch
#3 Carson Parker (G, 6-3, 185, Sr., New Hartford, Iowa / Dike-New Hartford HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 3 vs. California State-San Bernardino – 6 p.m.

 

Wayne State College Wildcats

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
10-19, 8-14 South	5 / 0	11	13th Overall, t-6th South
Team Preview
Wayne State returns all five starters from last year’s team that was 10-19 overall and 8-14 in the NSIC South Division.  One of the many areas the Wildcats made improvements in was road wins, where WSC was 6-9 away from Rice Auditorium after winning just five road games the previous three seasons.  Second-year head coach Jeff Kaminsky returns all five starters from last season, led by Second Team All-NSIC guard Kendall Jacks.  The 6-4 junior scored 16.1 points per game last season and ended the year scoring double figures in his last 21 games.  Other returning double digit scorers from last season include senior guard Matt Thomas, who accounted for 10.3 points a game, and senior reserve guard Austin Esters who produced 10.0 points a game last season.    Other returning starters for the Wildcats are junior guard Vance Janssen (9.5 ppg), senior forward Jordan Cornelius (8.9 ppg/5.2 rpg) and senior guard Brian Goodwin (7.7 ppg).  Top reserves coming back for the Wildcats include sophomore guard Luke TerHark (5.3 ppg) and sophomore forward Tony Bonner (3.9 ppg).  Expected to contribute immediately is 6-3 junior transfer guard Trevin Joseph, who averaged over 20 points per game in high school.  Wayne State opens the season on Friday, November 10th with a road game at in-state rival Nebraska-Kearney followed by a home game two days later against the Lopers in Wayne.
Player to Watch
#1 Kendall Jacks (G, 6-4, Jr., Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf HS)
First game
Friday, November 10 at Nebraska-Kearney 7 p.m.

 

Winona State University Warriors

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016-17 Standings
11-16, 8-14 South	1 / 4	8	t-13th Overall, 7th South
Team Preview
The Warriors are coming off a disappointing season, finishing next to last in the NSIC South a year ago. Head coach Todd Eisner returns eight players from the 2016-17 squad in his third season at the helm at WSU. The Warrior defense was among the league’s best, ranking fourth in scoring last year (73.6 ppg), but the offense ranked near the bottom of the NSIC at just 72.0 ppg. Winona was second in the league in defensive field goal percentage (44.5%). A young squad entering the 2017-18 season features eight underclassmen on the roster and just one senior – Corey Jeffs.
Player to Watch
#30 Tommy Gathje (F, 6-8, 220, Jr., Bloomington, Minn. / Thomas Jefferson HS)
First game
Friday, Nov. 10 at  Missouri Western State – 3 p.m.