Wachs
Kory Burdick

Northern Sun Releases Preseason Poll, Wolves Men Picked Fourth

10/12/2022 12:38:00 PM

Aberdeen, S.D. - The Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference released the 2022-23 Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll today with the Northern State University men picked fourth overall and third in the North Division. The Wolves garnered 179 points in the overall poll and 37 in the North. Senior guard Sam Masten was tabbed as the team's player to watch in 2022-23. The Northern State men open the season November 11-12 from St. Joseph, Missouri versus Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western. To view the Wolves full season schedule CLICK HERE. 

Masten returns to the court for the Wolves after a 2021-22 that saw him average 34.5 minutes, 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He was honored on the Northern Sun All-Conference second team after starting 29 games for the Wolves in his first season with the maroon and gold. 

Sam is a dynamic play maker who creates for himself as well as others. His ability to get to the rim is a big part of our offense. He is also exactly the type of leader you want at the point guard position. Sam stepped up many times late in games last years. He had a great season for us last year and our expectations are for him to build on his success this season.
Saul Phillips, Northern State Head Coach
2022-23
2022-23_MBB_PTW
We have a lot of experience returning on this year's roster. Sam Masten, Jacksen Moni, Jordan Belka and Augustin Reede all have been through a lot of close games together and I trust their decision making in big moments. I also like our length as a team. We can put out some really big lineup combinations on floor. The screen and roll combination of bigs that can shoot and guards that can create also excites me. Finally, I think we have a very good point guard and that is always and important foundation for success.
Saul Phillips

NSIC coaches rank each team from 1 to 15 with a first-place vote receiving 15 points, second place 14, third place 13, etc. Coaches do not rank their own team or vote for their own players in the preseason poll.

The NSIC regular season championship will be based on the 22-game schedule. Each team will play teams in their division twice (14) and teams in the other division once (8). An NSIC North and South Division Champion will also be awarded. Divisional standings will also be based on all 22 NSIC contests played. In the case of a tie, co-champions will be awarded. The 12-team NSIC / Sanford Health Women’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championships are set to take place February 25-28 at the Sanford Health Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The top two seeds in each division will receive a first-round bye. First round games will be played on campus on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The 2022-23 men’s basketball season gets underway on Friday, November 11 with non-conference action, while NSIC play will begin Thursday, December 1.