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Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team will kick-off the 2015-16 regular season tomorrow from the Arkansas Tech Classic. The Wolves will match-up with the Wonder Boys, Friday at 5:30 p.m., and return Saturday for a 5 p.m. tip with the Bison of Harding University.
 
The Wolves are coming off a solid 2014-15 performance where they finished fourth in the NSIC with a record of 23-9 and reached the NCAA Central Region Tournament for the first time since 2009.  Northern returns starters Skye Warwick and DJ Pollard, as well as key contributors Darin Peterka, Michael Schreiber, Spencer Pankonin, Mack Arvidson, and Justin Decker. Carter Evans also returns to the court after a run in with injury the past two seasons. NSU looks to bounce back after two tough exhibition losses to Briar Cliff and Nebraska. Darin Peterka led the team with 28 points versus the Chargers and seven rebounds versus the Huskers. Spencer Pankonin and DJ Pollard tallied 16 and 15 points respectively against Briar Cliff.
 
About the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys
• Arkansas Tech is coming off their seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after an 18-14 record a season ago.
• ATU returns four letter winners from 2014-15 including starter Nick Wayman who averaged 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
• The Wonder Boys were picked fourth in the GAC Preseason Poll.
• Arkansas Tech is led by head coach Chad Kline in his second season with the program.
• The Wonder Boys captured the Great American Conference Tournament Championship in 2014-15, with key conrtibutions from returners Byrson Fletcher, DeChriston McKinney, and Branden Williams.
• ATU welcomes transfers Tyler Corley and Andrew Guillory from Mississippi State and Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Last Match-Up
• The Wolves and Wonder Boys have not faced each other in the Sather era.
 
About the Harding Bison
• Harding enters the weekend after a 14-14 record in 2014-15.
• The Bison were picked as the Preseason favorite in the GAC and will return All-Region selection Andraz Kavas.
• Kavas averaged 20.2 points per game and was named a preseason All-American by D2Bulletin and Sporting News. Kavas also shot 52.6% from the floor and 36.4% from 3-point range in 2014-15.
• HU also returns double-digit scorers in Jacob Gibson (14.5), Blake McNair (13.3), and Will Francis (10.4).
• The Bison are led by head coach Jeff Morgan in his 23rd season with the program. Morgan has tallied a career record of 395-261 and a 378-251 record with the Bison.
 
Last Match-Up
• The Wolves and Bison have not faced each other in the Sather era.