Aberdeen, S.D. – The No. 15 Northern State University men's basketball team is set to do battle against No. 11 Washburn and (RV) Southern Arkansas in the Central Regional Challenge this weekend. The Wolves face off against No. 11 Washburn at 12:45 p.m. on Friday and (RV) Southern Arkansas at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday.  
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION
                » Live video and stat links are available above or on the full schedule on nsuwolves.com
 
#15 NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES
                » The Wolves walked away from the Hall of Fame Classis last weekend with a 1-1 record overall
                » Northern suffered an early loss to No. 1 Northwest Missouri State 68-55
                » They turned things around in the second game with an impressive 77-59 victory over Rockhurst
                » Jordan Belka was the leading scorer for the Wolves, averaging 19.5 points per contest, and scored a team high 24 points against Rockhurst
                » Sam Masten also scored in double digits for the Wolves, putting up 12 against Northwest Missouri state and 15 against Rockhurst
                » Northern was picked ninth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll, earning 119 total points
                » In addition, the Wolves were picked to finish fifth in the NSIC North Division
                » NSU kicks off the season ranked at No. 15 in the NABC Top-25 Preseason
 
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY STORYLINES
                » The Ichabods will see their first bit of gameplay this weekend against The Wolves
                » They open the season ranked No. 2 in the MIAA Top-25 Poll, this is one step from last year where they were ranked No. 3
                » Washburn returns four starters from last season's 20-7 team that finished second in the MIAA regular season
                » Washburn won the MIAA Tournament Championship and reached the second round of the NCAA Regional last year
                » The Ichabods are led by returning senior guard Tyler Geiman who averaged 20.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 6.0 apg in all 27 contests
                » In addition, the Ichabods return starters Tyler Nelson and Rathen Carter
                » Washburn is led by head coach Brett Ballard in his 13th season at the helm
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                » Northern State beat Washburn University in the Central Region Championship in 2017 and 2018 by scores of 69-57 and 91-75, respectively
                » The Wolves are 3-0 all-time against the Ichabods
 
RV SOUTHERN ARKANSAS STORYLINES
                » Southern Arkansas also looks to kick off their season this weekend against both Augustana and Northern State
                » Southern Arkansas is coming off a 15-6 record in 2020-21 and returns almost their entire roster, while welcoming four newcomers
                » The Muleriders were tabbed second in the GAC Preseason Poll
                » Senior Aaron Lucas returns for the Muleriders as the leading scorer from last year, averaging 17.1 ppg
                » In addition, Lucas led the Muleriders in 3PT % last year shooting a team high 42.3% from behind the arc
                » The Muleriders are led by head coach Andy Sharpe in his tenth season at the helm
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                » The Wolves and Muleriders will be facing off for the first time this weekend