Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University men's basketball team opens the 2016-17 home season tomorrow in a non-conference match-up with Southwest Minnesota State. The Wolves and Mustangs will tip-off from Wachs Arena at 8 p.m. following the women's game against Black Hills State.
 
The Wolves enter the mid-week match-up after going 1-1 against Southern Nazarene and Harding University.  The Wolves shot 51.9% from the floor, 41.2% from the arc, and 73.7% from the foul line in the victory over Southern Nazarene, with 20 points off turnovers and 11 second chance buckets. The Wolves shot 37.9% from the floor, 20.7% from the arc, and 81.3% from the foul line in the loss to Harding University, matching their 32 points in the paint from the previous night. Mack Arvidson led the team with 33 points over the weekend, shooting 45.4% from the floor and 42.1% from the arc. Ian Smith was second on the team with 29 points, while recording his first double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Harding. The Wolves are shooting 44.2% from the floor, 28.3% from the 3-point line, and 75.9% from the foul line to open the season. A total of five Wolves are averaging double-digit points in Arvidson (16.5), Smith (14.5), Pollard (12.0), Evans (12.0), and Doyle (10.5).
 
About the Mustangs
                • The Mustangs open the season picked eight overall and fifth in the NSIC South Division, three seniors, three juniors, five sophomores, and three freshmen.
                • Mitch Weg returns for SMSU after leading the team averaging 12.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 2015-16.
                • The Mustangs averaged 80.4 points, 35.6 rebounds, 15.5 assists, 6.2 steals, and 2.1 blocks, while shooting 49.2% from the floor and 37.8% from the 3-point line a season ago.
                • In the first week of 2016-17 the Mustangs went 2-0 with victories over Fort Hays State (84-60) and Emporia State (77-74).
                • Through two games, SMSU is shooting 48.7% from the floor, 38.2% from the arc, and 70.4% from the free throw line.
                • Southwest is led by head coach Brad Bigler in his eighth season with the program, tallying a career record of 108-95.
 
Last Match-Up
                • The Wolves and Mustangs faced off in three games in 2015-16 with NSU taking the series 2-1.
                • SMSU won the non-conference game 105-111 at home, however NSU rattled off two home victories in the regular season and conference tournament 79-63 and 82-80.
                • Northern is 63-25 all-time versus Southwest Minnesota State.