Aberdeen, S.D. – The 3-time NSIC Champion Northern State men's basketball team opens the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament this Wednesday from Wachs Arena. The Wolves will tip-off at 6 p.m. versus Southwest Minnesota State. Full fan information including ticket prices can be found HERE.
 
QUICK HITS ON THE NORTHERN STATE WOLVES
                • Northern State enters the first round of the conference tournament after winning their third straight NSIC Overall and North Division titles
                • NSU went 22-6 overall and 18-4 in the league in regular season action
                • The men were ranked fifth in the first NCAA Central Region rankings of the season, leading the way for the NSIC
                • The Wolves are shooting 50.0% from the floor, 38.1% from the 3-point line, and 69.9% from the foul line this season
                • They are averaging 80.6 points, 35.1 rebounds, 16.3 assists, 9.6 turnovers, 5.7 steals, and 4.5 blocks per game; out-scoring and out-rebounding their opponents by 10.7 points and 1.8 boards per game
                • In addition, NSU ranks in the top-5 nationally with a 1.7 assist/turnover ratio
                • Parker Fox leads three Wolves averaging double figures, notching 20.0 points per game as well as a team high 9.0 rebounds per game
                • Fox is also shooting a team best 60.0% from the floor and leads NSU with 62 blocks
                • Mason Stark and Gabe King follow notching 14.9 and 11.8 points per game respectively
                • Stark leads the team from the 3-point line with 55 made buckets and a 57.9 field goal percentage from beyond the arc
                • Andrew Kallman and Tommy Chatman have dished out a team high 110 and 81 assists respectively this season
                • Cole Dahl leads the Wolves off the bench averaging 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game with 34 made 3-pointers
 
MATCHING UP WITH THE MUSTANGS
                • Southwest Minnesota State enters postseason play with an 8-20 record overall, going 5-17 in the league
                • The Mustangs are shooting 45.3% from the floor, 38.3% from the 3-point line, and 67.9% from the foul line
                • They are averaging 65.5 points, 33.6 rebounds, 11.3 assists, 12.8 turnovers, 4.9 steals, and 4.2 blocks per game
                • SMSU is being out-scored by their opponents by 3.8 points per game and out-rebounding their opponents by 0.7 boards per game
                • Kenny Byers leads the team averaging 16.6 points per game, followed by Nick Dufault averaging 10.8 points per game
                • Jake Phipps leads the team shooting 62.5% from the floor, while Dufault leads the team with 55 made 3-pointers
                • Weston Baker-Magrath has a team high 56 blocks and Byers leads the Mustangs with 88 assists this season
                • The Mustangs are led by head coach Brad Bigler in his 11th season at the helm and 23rd overall with the program
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                • The Wolves defeated the Mustangs 74-66 in regular season play
                • Gabe King led the team with 15 points, while Mason Stark and Parker Fox added 14 each
                • Northern came back from a 38-33 deficit at the half, shooting 55.6% from the field in the final 20 minutes
                • NSU is 69-26 all-time versus Southwest Minnesota State