Aberdeen, S.D. – The No. 21 Northern State University men's basketball team kicks off 2023-24 this Friday and Saturday from the Hillyard Classic on the campus of Missouri Western State. The Wolves will face No. 1 Northwest Missouri State at 3:15 p.m. on Friday and the host Griffons at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live video, stat, and audio links are available above or on the full schedule on nsuwolves.com
  • The live video through the MIAA Network requires a per game or monthly subscription

 
#21 NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• Northern enters the opening weekend following a 24-7 year in 2022-23 and a trip to the NCAA Central Region Tournament
• NSU was picked third in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll with Jacksen Moni selected as the team's player to watch this season
• The Wolves averaged 79.5 points, 35.0 rebounds, 16.0 assists, 8.8 turnovers, 5.2 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game last season, shooting 46.5% from the floor, 36.7% from the 3-point line, and 78.7% from the foul line
• The men won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship, their fifth in the last six seasons
• Northern returns starters Jacksen Moni, Augustin Reede, and Josh Dilling, as well as key contributors Trey Longstreet, Kobe Busch, and Michael Nhial
• Moni earned NSIC All-Conference accolades in 2022-23 averaging 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game
• Saul Phillips earned NSIC Coach of the Year honors in 2022-23 and enters his fifth season at the helm of the Wolves program

 
#1 NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE STORYLINES

• The Bearcats enter the new year as the favored team in NCAA Division II after going 31-3 last season
• Northwest averaged 73.6 points, 29.0 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 10.3 rebounds, 7.3 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game in 2022-23, shooting 52.4% from the floor, 39.5% from the 3-point line, and 77.6% from the foul line
• NWMSU returns MIAA Freshman of the Year Bennett Stirtz, as well as All-MIAA performer Wes Dreamer
• Dreamer averaged 12.8 points per game last season, followed by Stirtz notching 12.6
• Stirtz led the team shooting 60.1% from the floor
• Northwest is led by head coach Ben McCollum in his 15th season at the helm, holding a career record of 365-86

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The Wolves fell to the Bearcats 81-78 in the season opening weekend of 2022-23
• Northern is 1-5 all-time against Northwest, with their last victory in 2005

 
MISSOURI WESTERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Griffons head into 2023-24 following a 14-16 year in 2022-23
• Missouri Western averaged 65.9 points, 33.2 rebounds, 11.7 assists, 12.4 turnovers, 5.7 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game, shooting 43.3% from the floor, 36.2% from the 3-point line, and 71.3% from the foul line
• MWSU advanced to the MIAA Tournament semifinals a season ago
• They kickoff the 2023-24 campaign with 11 returners and four newcomers on their roster
• Mo West returns all-conference performers Julius Dixon and Taye Feilds, as well as seniors Reese Glover and JaRon Thames
• The Griffons are led by head coach Will Martin in fourth season at the helm and sixth overall with the program

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The Wolves defeated the Griffons 68-57 a season ago
• Northern is 2-0 all-time versus Missouri Western State