Setting the Stage: Northern State (4-0, 0-0 NSIC) kicks off NSIC play this weekend after four straight wins over non-conference opponents to start the season. The Wolves also hit the road for the first time on the young campaign, as all four non-conference contests took place inside NSU's Wachs Arena. Counting a big upset over Butler to conclude exhibition play, the Wolves are riding a five-game win streak heading into the weekend meetings with Concordia-St. Paul and St. Cloud State.
Last Time Out: After watching the Mayville State Comets drill their first three and four of their first six three-point attempts en-route to a quick 14-6 lead, the host Northern State Wolves turned up the defensive intensity, forcing the Comets into 22 turnovers and a 30.8 percent total shooting effort to claim an 88-50 non-conference victory Saturday evening.
Who 2 Watch 4: Alex Thomas turned up the heat on Saturday, pouring in a career-high 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting from long range to lead the Wolves to a big 88-50 win over Mayville State for their fourth straight win to open the season. Thomas was 7-for-14 from the floor in that game, picking up six rebound, two assists and two blocked shots in 22 minutes of play. The senior also had four points, four rebounds, an assist and three steals in a Wednesday night win over cross-town opponent Presentation College.
About CU: The Golden Bears are 3-1 after the opening round of non-conference play, the lone loss coming on an 88-94 setback to St. Thomas last Saturday. Senior Peter Olafeso is the reigning NSIC Player of the Week heading into the weekend. Peter, along with his twin brother Kenny, anchor the Golden Bear offense, averaging a combined 39.3 points per game. CU was picked fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll after finishing fifth in 2010-11.
Last Season: NSU tipped off NSIC play last season by hanging on to a 96-94 overtime win over the Golden Bears at home. CU avenged that loss on the next to last weekend of the season with an 81-66 win in St. Paul.
About SCSU: The Huskies, who finished seventh in the league last season, have started off the new season 4-0 with non-conference wins over USF, St. John's, Jamestown and Valley City State. SCSU was picked sixth in the preseason poll and has beaten its first four opponents by an average of 13.25 points. That number includes a six-point win over VCSU and a nine-point edge over St. John's.
Last Season: The Huskies swept the season series in 2010-11. SCSU pulled away late for a 91-83 win in the opening weekend of NSIC play before taking a 76-66 late-season win.
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