Aberdeen, S.D. – The (RV) Northern State University men's basketball team kicks off 2022-23 in regional action against No. 1 Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State. The Wolves will face the Bearcats and Griffons from the Hillyard Classic in St. Joe. Game times are set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday against the defending national champions, Northwest Mo., and 6 p.m. on Saturday against the host MoWest.  
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live video and stat links are available above or on the full schedule on nsuwolves.com
  • Video does require a season or game subscription through the MIAA Network

 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves enter the 2022-23 season after going 20-12 overall and 13-9 in the NSIC in 2021-22
• Northern State was picked fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll and is receiving votes in the NABC Top-25 Poll
• After leading the team a season ago, Sam Masten was picked as the team's player to watch in the NSIC; he earned All-Conference honors in 21-22 alongside Jordan Belka and Jacksen Moni
• Masten averaged 15.6 and 5.5 rebounds per game last season, dishing out a team high 119 assists
• Belka and Moni closely followed nothing 14.3 and 14.2 points per game respectively, as well as 6.9 and 5.5 rebounds per contest
• Augustin Reede also returns from the starting rotation last season, averaging 10.3 points per contest with a team leading 78 made 3-pointers
• All four of the Wolves returning starters shot over 40.0% from the floor a season ago
• Saul Phillips enters his fourth season at the helm of Northern State

 
NO. 1 NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE STORYLINES

• The Bearcats opened the season last weekend with wins over #5 West Texas A&M (78-62) and Flagler (88-75)
• Northwest is averaging 83.0 points, 32.5 rebounds, 17.5 assists, 14.0 turnovers, 7.0 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game following the opening weekend, shooting 58.5% from the floor, 45.9% from the 3-point line, and 73.5% from the foul line
• Luke Waters leads six players averaging double figures, notching 17.0 points per game, shooting at a 61.1% clip
• Diego Bernard is averaging a double-double, notching 13.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest, shooting above 50.0% from the floor
• Bernard and Bennet Stirtz led the team with nine assists each
• Northwest is led by head coach Ben McCollum in his 13th season

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The Wolves fell to the Bearcats 68-55 to open the season in 2021-22
• Jordan Belka and Sam Masten led the team with six rebounds each and 15 and 12 points respectively
• Northern is 1-4 all-time against Northwest, notching a win at home in 2005

 
MISSOURI WESTERN STATE STORYLINES

• Missouri Western went 1-1 in exhibition play to open the year, defeating Benedictine College (72-67) and falling to Kentucky (56-38)
• The Griffons were picked seventh in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll
• MWSU went 14-17 overall and 10-12 in the MIAA a season ago, advancing to the first round of the conference tournament
• Will Eames returns to the Griffon sideline after averaging a team second best 13.0 points per game and team leading 7.9 rebounds per game a season ago
• 2021-22 starters Reese Glover and Taye Fields will also be back in action for MoWest this season
• The Griffons are led by head coach Will Martin in his third season at the helm

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The two team's first and only meeting dates back to 2013-14 with an 87-78 victory in favor of the Wolves