WINONA, Minn. - The Northern State University men's basketball team will play host Winona State for the 2008 NSIC Tournament title tonight at 7:00 p.m. at McCown Gymnasium in Winona, Minn. The Wolves are ranked #4 in the nation and #2 in the North Central Region, while the Warriors are ranked #3 in the nation and #1 in the region. The game will be televised live locally in Aberdeen on Midcontinent Channel 12.
Wolves Media Coverage
* Televised LIVE in the Aberdeen area on Midcontinent channel 12
* Live webstream (pay-per-view) on www.northernsun.tv
* Live play-by-play radio coverage on KSDN 930 AM and via www.nsuwolvesathletics.com
* Live stats
A 74-70 win over Southwest Minnesota State on Friday evening propelled the Wolves to their fourth NSIC Tournament Championship game in five years. They met up with the Warriors in two of the past three title games, with each team claiming a tournament championship. The Wolves were the NSIC Tournament Champions in 2004 and 2005. They lost to Winona State in 2006. Overall, the Wolves are 13-6 at the NSIC Tournament.
Saturday evening's meeting with the Warriors will be the third of the season between the teams. The Wolves are 27-2 overall, with their only losses of the year going against Winona State in conference play. The Warriors are 31-1 overall, with their only loss going to St. Thomas in non-conference action early in the year. The Wolves enter the game with a ten-game win streak on the line, while Winona has a 24-game win streak. NSU has an edge in the all-time series against WSU, 37-28, however the Warriors have won each of the last nine meetings.
Craig Nelson and Kevin Ratzsch have been Northern's scoring leaders throughout the tournament, averaging 16.5 ppg each. Robert Thomas has been the leading rebounder with an average of 6.5 boards per game. The Wolves have shot 56.0% from the field and have kept opponents (MSUM and SMSU) to just 37.2% shooting. They have hit 52.6% from three-point range, doubling up their rivals in three-pointers made, 20-10.
Wolves in the NSIC Tournament Championship Game
2006: Winona State 93, Northern State 80
2005: Northern State 73, Winona State 69
2004: Northern State 63, Minnesota Duluth 58
Wolves vs. Warriors in the NSIC Tournament
2006: Winona State 93, Northern State 80
2005: Northern State 73, Winona State 69
2004: Northern State 83, Winona State 80 (OT)
