Aberdeen, S.D. – The No. 18 Northern State University men's basketball team kicks off the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Maryville, versus (RV) Emporia State. The Wolves will play the second contest of the day beginning at 2:15 p.m. from Bearcat Arena.
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live video, audio, and stat links are available above or on the full schedule on nsuwolves.com
• Tickets can be purchased at the door on game day or at the online link HERE; fans are encouraged to use code 2023NSU when purchasing tickets online
• For full tournament details CLICK HERE

 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves make their 15th NCAA Tournament appearance with a 24-6 record overall and the second seed in the NCAA Central Region
• Four Wolves were honored on the NSIC All-Conference teams with Sam Masten named the North Division Player of the Year, Saul Phillips named the Coach of the Year, and Jacksen Moni and Jordan Belka named to the first and second teams
• In addition, Belka earned the NSIC Bob Olson Outstanding Senior of the Year Award
• Northern is shooting 47.0% from the floor, 37.2% from the 3-point line, and 79.2% from the foul line this season
• They are averaging 80.4 points, 35.0 rebounds, 16.2 assists, 8.7 turnovers, 5.1 steals, and 3.5 blocks per game; out-scoring their opponents by 9.9 points per game
• The Wolves rank top-10 in the country in free throw percentage, 3-pointers per game (11.2), field goal percentage, and assist/turnover ratio (1.85)
• Masten leads all five starters averaging double figures, notching 18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per contest this season; while shooting a team best 55.8% from the floor
• Moni and Belka follow notching 15.5 and 13.2 points per game respectively, with Belka second on the team notching 6.4 rebounds per contest
• Augustin Reede leads the Wolves from the 3-point line with 84 made long range buckets and a 43.5 field goal percentage from beyond the arc; he is averaging 11.6 points per game and 2.8 3-pointers per game
• Josh Dilling is second on the team with 95 assists in 2022-23, adding 10.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest
• Northern looks to Kobe Busch, Trey Longstreet, and Michael Nhial for a spark off the bench, with each of the starting five averaging over 27 minutes per game

 
EMPORIA STATE STORYLINES

• Emporia State enters the tournament with a 22-8 record overall, going 1-1 in the MIAA Tournament a weekend ago
• The Hornets are shooting 44.9% from the floor, 32.8% from the 3-point line, and 73.4% from the foul line this season
• ESU is averaging 71.3 points, 34.3 rebounds, 11.4 assists, 11.8 turnovers, 5.5 steals, and 4.2 blocks per game; out-scoring and out-rebounding their opponents by 7.0 points and 1.0 rebounds per contest
• Owen Long leads the team averaging 16.9 points per game with a team high 67 assists and 83 made 3-pointers in 2022-23
• Alijah Comithier is second on the team scoring 14.7 points per game, while leading the team grabbing 5.8 rebounds per game
• Mayuom Buom leads the Hornets shooting 64.4% from the floor
• Atavian Butler leads the team off the bench averaging 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, shooting 42.2% from the floor
• The Hornets are led by head coach Craig Doty in his fifth season at the helm, holding a career record of 77-63

 
LAST MEETING

• The two teams have not faced off since the 1960-61 season
• Northern is 1-2 all-time notching a 66-60 victory in 1949-50, 82-66 loss in 1956-57, and 77-72 loss in 1960-61