THE OPENING TIP: The University of Minnesota Duluth open the decade by hosting Bemidji State University (Jan. 3) and the University of Minnesota Crookston (Jan. 4) at Romano Gym.

SCOUTING REPORT ON BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY: The Beavers closed out the 2010's by winning four out of their last five. BSU currently is riding a four game win streak, taking down Minnesota State University Moorhead (79-67), Wayne State College (90-61), Augustana University (75-73) and finally Minnesota Crookston (85-76). The Beavers are currently 7-3 overall while holding a 4-2 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference record, and sit third in the northern division, as well as third overall in the NSIC standings. BSU is lead by head coach Mike Boschee, currently in his 17th season as a head coach, eight of them at BSU. Boschee is 208-227 (.478) overall while being 93-112 (.454) with the Beavers.
Ja Morgan was picked at BSU's preseason player to watch this year, and in eight games this year, he has played up to the hype. he has averaged second on the team in minuets with 31.8 a night. He averages 14.8 points, second on the team. While grabbing the third most rebounds on the team per game (4.6), he's shooting at a 48.9% rate from the floor (43-88). Nick Wagner has lead the way for the Beavers in scoring, grabbing 18.2 per game (7th in the NSIC). He's averaged 33.5 minutes per game and managed to grab 3.1 rebounds per game. Wagner is currently shooting 46.3% (63-136) from the floor.

SCOUTING REPORT ON MINNESOTA CROOKSTON: The Golden Eagles managed to close out 2019 with a 2-3 final five games. UMC started December with a win against the Minnesota State University Moorhead (68-65), a pair of losses to Northern State (101-58) and Augustana University (101-68), would beat Wayne State College (92-78) and finally fall to Bemidji State (85-76). After 2019, the Golden Eagles are currently 7-5 while going 3-3 in NSIC play. UMC currently sits tied for third in the northern division and tied for third in the NSIC overall. The Golden Eagles are headed by Dan Weisse, who is in his 6th season as head coach, all with UMC. Weisse is 52-106 (.329) overall in the six season stint.
Harrison Cleary was picked as the preseason player to watch this year and he's answering the call. Cleary has averaged 30.4 points per game, which leads the nation in DII. Cleary plays 36.2 minutes a night, and has shot at a 46.3% (111-240) rate. He's made 44.1% (45-102) of 3-pointers that he's put up, while grabbing 2.8 rebounds a game. Brian Sitzmann has been second on the team in scoring, grabbing 9.3 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes a night.

THE SERIES: UMD and the Beavers have been fairly even for the past decade, with BSU edging out the Bulldogs with a 11-9 record over the past 10 years. The last three match ups have gone to UMD, with the last game being 74-62. The Bulldogs have fared better against the Golden Eagles, going 16-4 in the past 10 years. UMD won the last match up (76-67), with the last three games going in favor of UMD, 2-1.

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	OVERALL	NSIC RANK	NABC
UMD	9-3	2ND	NR
BSU	7-3	T-3RD	NR
UMC	7-5	T-3RD	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 would close out the 2019 calender year with a battle till the end with St. Cloud State University Huskies that would be close until the final minute 76-65. UMD closed out the year with a 9-3 record and a 4-2 conference record. They currently sit second in the northern division and in the NSIC overall.
 
POINTS GALORE: UMD ranks first in the NSIC and 25th in DII in points per game, averaging 86.4 per game on the year. Brandon Myer leads the way with 21.1 per game, second in the NSIC. Alex Illikainen is sitting in 18th in the NSIC with 14.8 and Drew Blair sitting in 20th with 14.6 per game.

3'S FOR DAYS: The Bulldogs sit in the top-5 for 3-point FG percentage (second, 39.7), 3-point FG defense (second, 31.1) and 3-point FG's made (third, 125 (avg. of 10.4 per game)). Logan Rohrscheib has been nailing 2.2 per game (9th) and Drew Blair is just behind him with 2.1 per game (2.1).

WHAT'S A MISSED SHOT: The Bulldogs are sitting third in the NSIC for field goal percentage, hitting 49.6 percent of their shots (372-760). Three of the Bulldogs, Myer, Illikainen and Blair, are all in the top-15 for field goal percentage. Myer has shot 53.9 percent (6th), Blair has hit 50.4 percent (11th) of the shots he's put up and Illikainen has hit 49.3 percent (12th) of his shots.

PASS ME THE ROCK: Minnesota Duluth ranks in first in the NSIC in assists, averaging 16.00 per game. Two Bulldogs sit in the top-25 in the NSIC. Trevor Entwisle sits in fifth (4.7 per game) and Brandon Myer sits in 22nd (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 take to the road for the first time in the calender year, taking on the University of Mary (Jan. 10) and Minot State (Jan. 11)