THE OPENING TIP: The University of Minnesota Duluth will be hosting the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers on Wednesday, Nov. 20, then will be traveling Houghton, Mi. to take on Michigan Tech on Nov. 23.

SCOUTING REPORT ON WISCONSIN-PARKSIDE: The Rangers come off a weekend in which they hosted the Parkside Invitational, where they went 2-0, first beating Hillsdale in overtime (60-51) and then would go on to beat Minnesota Crookston (78-56). After the weekend, UWP would bring their record back to even at 2-2 on year, with all contests being non-conference match-ups, with an exhibition taking place before the season started against the University of Illinois at Chicago (Division I), where they fell to the Flames (59-63). Wisconsin-Parkside was picked to finish in 2nd in the Northern Division of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Rangers would receive a total of 51 of a possible 216 points (with five first place votes). Luke Reigel mans the ship this year, returning for his 17th season. Reigel carries a 244-216 (.530) record as head coach, all being with UWP.
Tray Croft has lead the way for the Rangers on the offensive side of the ball this year, averaging 15.8 points per game so far this year, shooting 40.3% (25-62) from the floor this year, grabbibg an average of 7.5 rebounds per game, which is second on the team to Brandon Hau. Hau has been the rebounding leader for UWP in the rebounding category with an average of 8.3 per game. He also averages 13.5 points per game, which sits at second on the team.

SCOUTING REPORT ON MICHIGAN TECH: The Huskies are sitting with a 2-1 current record on the year, with all games being non-conference contests. Michigan Tech played one contest over the past weekend, taking on Winona State where they dropped their first contest of the year (59-62). The Huskies were picked to finish third in the GLIAC Northern division, sitting behind Wisconsin-Parkside. Kevin Luke is at the helm this season, returning for his 26th season at Tech. He carries a 435-287 (.602) all time record.
Kyle Monroe and Dawson Bilski were named to the GLIAC Preseason All-Conference team for the Northern Division. Monroe is currently leading the squad with an average of 26.7 points per game, while also leading the team with 8.3 rebounds per game as well. Bilski is behind Monroe with fan average of 14.0 points per game and fifth on the team in terms of rebounding.

THE SERIES: The Bulldogs are looking to break even in the all time series with Wisconsin-Parkside, with UMD carrying a 7-8 all-time record against the Rangers. The Bulldogs played UWP last in the 2017-18 season, beating the Rangers in a tight game, 71-70. UMD has had better luck against the Huskies, with a 35-29 record all-time. The last time the two squads met, the Bulldogs got the better of Michigan Tech, topping the Huskies in a 61-56 battle last season.

HOW THEY RANK: Here is how UMD and its two opponents stack up with their records, and in each other's respective preseason polls.
 

SCHOOL	RECORD	PRESEASON CONF.
UMD	3-1	3RD
UWP	2-2	2ND
MTU	2-1	3RD

THE BROADCAST: The match with Wisconsin-Parkside will be carried through a live broadcast with live stats capabilities.

Broadcast: UMDBulldogs.com/watch

Live Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/umd/

Michigan Tech has live stat capabilities to a follow along with their games and can be found with the following link:

michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/boxscores/20191123_kw6s.xml

LAST TIME OUT: The Bulldogs hosted the American Family Classic, winning out the tournament by first beating Northern Michigan by a 22 point margin, 84-62. UMD would then go on to the second day, beating Stonehill in a physical battle till the end, 91-77. The Bulldogs would improve to 3-1 on the year, all contests taking place were non-conference.

POINTS GALORE: UMD ranks 2nd in the NSIC in points per game, averaging 94.0 per game on the year. Redshirt freshman guard Drew Blair is leading the way, dropping 21.8 a game through four games, sitting fourth in the NSIC. Senior forward Alex Illikainen sits second on the team with an average of 21.5, just behind Blair on the team and in the NSIC. Senior foward Brandon Myer also ranks in the top 10, sitting in eighth with an average of 18.8.

3'S FOR DAYS: The Bulldogs sit in the top-5 for 3-point FG percentage (second, 40.2), 3-point FG defense (fifth, 31.1) and 3-point FG's made (third, 41 (avg. of 10.3 per game)). Drew Blair is heading UMD in the percentage category, hitting 45.8% (11-24, fifth in NSIC) of 3's he's put up. He's averaging 2.8 per game, good for eighth in the NSIC.

WHAT'S A MISSED SHOT: The Bulldogs are sitting third in the NSIC for field goal percentage, hitting 52.4% of their shots (132-252). Three of the Bulldogs, Illikainen, Blair and Myer, all sit in the top 20 in field goal percentage. Illikainen has hit 58.3% (eighth), Blair has hit 55.3% (10th) and Myer is at 51.0% (16th).

PASS ME THE ROCK: Minnesota Duluth ranks in second in the NSIC in assists, averaging 17.25 per game. Three Bulldogs are in the top 20 for dishes per game. Blair is sitting in 11th (3.5 per game), Trevor Entwisle is in 14th (3.0 per game) and Hunter Plamann is in 20th (2.5 per game).

HOMEGROWN AND READY TO WREAK HAVOC: An All-NSIC first team player last season, Brandon Myer is the Bulldogs NSIC Player to Watch for. Myer led the club in points, rebounds, blocks and steals. The senior forward established career single-game highs in points and rebounds. He ended the season registering 21.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals -- all career highs -- while compiling 14 double-doubles, nine 25 (or more) point-games and a trio of 30-point games.

NSIC PRESEASON COACHES POLL: The Bulldogs were tabbed with a third place finish in the NSIC preseason coaches poll this season, snagging three first place votes (out of 16) and receiving 196 points. UMD blew expectations out of the water last year, finishing in a tie for third (picked to finish 10th). The Bulldogs were tabbed as the Northern Division favorites this year, swinging seven first place votes (out of eight) and 49 points.

Minnesota State was selected as the NSIC favorites this season, swinging seven first place votes and getting 214 points. Augustana was chosen to finish just behind the Mavericks, garning six first place votes and receiving 208 points.

In the divisional rankings, Northern State was chosen as the second place finishers behind UMD, gaining the only other first place vote, garnering 40 points. MSU Moorhead follows them, totaling 39 points.

The Bulldogs own Brandon Myer was selected as the Northern Division Preseason Player of the Year, while Minnesota State's Cameron Kirksey was selected as the Southern Division Preseason Player of the Year.

NEW DOGS ON THE BLOCK: The Bulldogs come into the 2019-20 season with a plethora of new faces, with three freshman, guard Jack Middleton, guard Isaiah Watts and guard Charlie Gorres, and two DI transfers, forward Alex Illikainen and forward Yalim Olcay joining the squad this season. Redshirt freshman guard Drew Blair figures to factor into the mix this year as well.

THE SCOOP ON THE DOGS: UMD ushers in a new era of Bulldog basketball with Justin Wieck as the program's 17th head coach. Despite losing All-NSIC second team selection Sean Burns, the Bulldogs return All-NSIC first team selection Brandon Myer. UMD does bring back starter Logan Rohrscheib as well. Wieck did bring in two DI transfers in Alex Illikainen from the University of Wisconsin, as well as Yalim Olcay, who transfers from Western Carolina University. The Bulldogs bring a trio of freshman into the mix this year, with guard Jack Middleton hailing from Edina, Minn., guard Charlie Gorres from Cottage Grove, Minn. and guard Isaiah Watts coming from Bloomington, Minn. Redshirt freshman guard Drew Blair looks to hop in the mix this year as well.

THE COACH: Justin Wieck took over as the University of Minnesota Duluth head men's basketball coach on May 1, 2018, becoming the 17th head coach in the 89-year history of the Bulldog program and just the fourth since the 1984-85 season. Wieck is enetering his second season as head coach for the Bulldogs.
During his first year, Wieck has helped a duo of players, senior forward Brandon Myer and forward Sean Burns, elevate their game to all-conference heights, as well as having erned four conference player of the week honors. Wieck helped to improve the Bulldogs from having an underwhelming season in 2017-18, to a positive overall record of 17-10, while 14-8 in conference, last season, UMD's best since 2008-09. During the 2018-19 season, the Bulldogs ranked No. T-13 in fewest fouls, as well as No. 6 in all of Division II for the fewest turnovers. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 regionally for the first time since 2008-09, and had a 4-1 record against NCAA Tournament teams.
Wieck's first recruiting class includes Drew Blair, a 2018 top 15 player in Wis., two time state champion for Stevens Point and a Division II transfer from Northwest Missouri State. Alex Illikainen, a Division I transfer from the University of Wisconsin, a 2014 top 100 player in the U.S. and a former 4-star recruit. Charlie Gorres, a 2019 Minn. top 15 recruit. Yalim Olcay, a Division I transfer from Western Carolina and a 16U Turkish National Team Training camp invite. Jack Middleton, a 2019 Minn. top 15 recruit as a Minn. Mr. Basketball finalist.
"My family and I are ecstatic to join the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Duluth community," said Wieck. "There is tremendous leadership from the top down in this department, as well as so many successful head coaches and programs.  I am looking forward to joining such an awesome team.  This basketball program has tremendous potential.  The city of Duluth is a special place to be, UMD boasts a high academic reputation, a powerful and hungry fan and alumni base, and with the Romano Gymnasium renovations taking place this summer, this program is ready to take off.  I am looking forward to jumping right in with this current roster, building relationships and getting this program back to the top of the NSIC."
During Wieck's successful four years of assistant coaching service (offensive coordinator) at MSU-Moorhead, the Dragons rolled up a 96-38 overall record, made three NCAA Tournament appearances, captured at least a share of two Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular titles, advanced to two NSIC Tournament finals and reigned as the NSIC North Division champions three times. Over that span, he helped produced two NSIC Players of the Year in Aaron Lien (2016-17) and Jordan Riewer (2014-15), six All-NSIC first team selections and two National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Americans.
In 2014-15 -- Wieck's first season -- MSU-Moorhead enjoyed its most productive season in program history. In addition to setting a team single-season record for victories by going 35-4, the Dragons laid claim to the NCAA II Central Region crown and made it to the NCAA Division II Elite 8 for the first time ever. Along the way, MSU-Moorhead also broke previous school marks for field goals made, field goal percentage, three-point field goals made, free throws made, and free throw percentage.
Prior to his arrival in Moorhead, Wieck served as the head men's basketball coach for two years at the University of Jamestown (N.D.), where he went 32-31 while directing the Jimmies to a NAIA Division II National Tournament appearance in 2012-13 as well as a second-place finish in the Association of Independent Institutions (Aii) Tournament. The following year, Jamestown captured both the inaugural North Star Athletic Association regular season and tournament championships while finishing 17-12 overall. Wieck, the 2013-14 NSAA Coach of the Year, saw four of his players receive all-conference first team honors and two become All-Americans during his time in Jamestown.
Wieck's resume also includes a two-year assistant coaching stint at NSIC member Northern State University (2010-12) where he handled the Wolves' recruiting coordinator duties.  In addition, he was employed for a total of four seasons as the video coordinator (2008-10) and graduate assistant coach (2006-08) at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. While with the Hawkeye staff, Wieck worked with Steve Alford and Todd Lickliter, both National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Coach of the Year recipients, and assisted the Iowa coaches in preparing opponent scouting reports along with breaking down Hawkeye practices and game films. He also served as assistant camp director for Iowa Summer Basketball Camps and was active in the academic monitoring and community outreach for the Hawkeye program.
A native of North Liberty, Iowa, Wieck joined the Iowa program as walk-on forward in 2004, fresh off a rewarding two-season career at Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). He eventually earned a scholarship as a senior -- the same year the Hawkeyes won the Big Ten Tournament and made their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Wieck, an Academic All-Big Ten selection, earned both his Bachelor's degree in finance (2006) and Master's degree in athletic administration (2008) from Iowa. He and his wife, Laura, have two children – son Jordy (7) and daughter Anya (5) and newborn Ella.

ON TAP: The Bulldogs will open the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season play, hosting St. Cloud State (Nov. 30) on Rookie Basketball Association Night.