THE OPENING TIP: The University of Minnesota Duluth come home to Romano Gymnasium to protect the home win streak, first by taking on Minnesota State University (Jan. 17) then playing host to Concordia-St. Paul (Jan. 18).

WHITEOUT/PEDIATRIC CANCER AWARENESS NIGHT: The Bulldogs will be having a whiteout on Friday evenings game, as well as spreading awareness about pediatric cancer on Saturday nights game.

SCOUTING REPORT ON MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: The Mavericks are coming off a weekend where they split against a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponents. They would first take on the University of Sioux Falls in a closely contested battle only to fall 71-64. They would then travel to Marshall, Minn. to square off against Southwest Minnesota State University, beating the Mustangs 53-46. MSU currently carries an 8-8 overall record, going 6-4 while playing NSIC games. The Mavericks sit in 4th place in the southern division and 7th in the overall conference standings. In their first four games of the 2020 year, MSU has gone 3-1. The Mavericks are coached by Matt Margenthaler, who, in his 19th season at the helm, carries a 401-173 (.699) overall record.
MSU is lead by Cameron Kirksey, who is dropping an average of 19.2 points per game this season while averaging 5.6 rebounds per game. Kirksey has a total of 18 assists this season, and has a 51.2% (106-207) shooting percentage in 28.9 minutes per night. Ryland Holt has been a steady No. 2 for MSU, averaging 14.3 points a game, second on the team. Holt has grabbed an average of 5.4 rebounds per game this season, shooting at a 59.1% (78-132) rate from the floor this in 24.3 minutes this season.

SCOUTING REPORT ON CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL: The Golden Bears come off a split weekend. First taking on Southwest Minnesota State and beating the Mustangs in a tight contest by a score of 79-70. CSP would then travel to Sioux Falls, SD, to take on the University of Sioux Falls, where they would ultimately fall 74-59. The Golden Bears are currently holding a 6-8 overall record and have gone 4-6 in NSIC contests. CSP is currently sitting in 6th place in the southern division of the NSIC while sitting in 12th overall in the conference. In 2020, they have gone 3-1 to open the calender year. The Golden Bears are headed by interim head coach Eric Johnson. Johnson took over the program on Nov. 14th, 2019.
In 12 games this year, Jordan Coblin has lead the squad in points per game, averaging 17.2 points per game. He's been able to shoot 47.1% (72-153) from the floor and been able to average 5.4 rebounds per game and lead the team in assists with 58 on the year in 33.7 minutes a night. Cody Carlson has been scoring at a solid rate behind Coblin, playing in all 14 games this season. He's put up 13.1 points per game so far and been able to lead the team in rebounding with 6.4 per game. Carlson has shot 53.6% (74-138) from the floor this season in 25.0 minutes per night.

THE SERIES: The Bulldogs and the Mavericks haven't met in a span of 364 days on Friday, last competing with each other on Jan. 18, 2019, where UMD was able to walk away with a win of 80-77. In the past 10  years (since the 2009-10 season) the Bulldogs hold a 4-9 record against the Mavericks, with the last five going 3-2 in favor of MSU.
When UMD has faced off against Concordia-St. Paul in the past 10 years, The Bulldogs have gone 4-10. The last meeting will be 364 days as of Saturday, and went to UMD with a score of 93-63.

HOW THEY RANK: Here is how UMD and its two opponents stack up with their records, rank in the NSIC overall and the NABC DII Poll.
 

SCHOOL	OVERALL	NSIC RANK	NABC
UMD	13-3	T-2ND	NR
MSU	8-8	T-4TH	NR
CSP	6-8	T-4TH	NR

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

Broadcast: UMDBulldogs.com/watch

Live Stats: UMDBulldogs.com/watch and follow the live stats button

LAST TIME OUT: The Bulldogs opened up their 2020 calender year road schedule with a pair of wins. UMD would first travel to Bismarck, ND, to take on the University of Mary where they would top the Marauders 78-54. The Bulldogs then took to Minot, ND, to square off against Minot State University, where UMD would cruise to a 93-69 victory. The Bulldogs now sit tied for 1st in the northern division and T-2nd in the conference overall.

POINTS GALORE: UMD ranks first in the NSIC and 34th in DII in points per game, averaging 84.9 per game on the year. Brandon Myer leads the way with 21.5 per game, second in the NSIC (31st in DII). Drew Blair sitting in 16th with 15.1 per game and Alex Illikainen is sitting in 21st in the NSIC with 14.0.

3'S FOR DAYS: The Bulldogs sit in the top-5 for 3-point FG percentage (second, 40.1), 3-point FG defense (first, 31.4) and 3-point FG's made (second, 166 (avg. of 10.4 per game)). Logan Rohrscheib has been hitting an average of 2.2 3's per game (11th in the NSIC), with Drew Blair hitting 2.0 per game (14th in the NSIC).

WHAT'S A MISSED SHOT: The Bulldogs are sitting fifth in the NSIC for field goal percentage, hitting 48.5 percent of their shots (482-994). Three of the Bulldogs, Myer, Illikainen and Blair, are all in the top-15 for field goal percentage. Myer has shot 54.4 percent (4th), Blair has hit 50.3 percent (10th) of the shots Illikainen has hit 48.3 percent (11th) of his shots.
 
PASS ME THE ROCK: Minnesota Duluth ranks in first in the NSIC in assists, averaging 15.50 per game. Two Bulldogs sit in the top-15 in the NSIC. Trevor Entwisle sits in 5th (4.3 per game) and Brandon Myer sits in 15th (2.6 per game).

DOUBLE UP: So far this season, Brandon Myer has managed to put up eight double-doubles, which sits second in the NSIC (behind Wayne State College's Jordan Janssen (10)) and 7th in DII.

ON TAP: The Bulldogs are on the road again, traveling to Moorhead, Minn. to take on Minnesota State University-Moorhead (Jan. 24), then take to Aberdeen, SD to take on Northern State University (Jan. 25).