The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team has been slated to finish third in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in today's NSIC preseason coaches poll. The Bulldogs received 172 points in the conference poll, including one first place vote, after finishing off the 2023-24 season in the second round of the NCAA Central Region tournament.

"This team is a great mixture of returning established veterans, younger role players who are looking to take a big step forward, four true Freshmen, two red-shirt freshmen and two transfers. I'm excited to coach these guys, to see our new guys step into some of the big moments of our season, and continue to compete in the best league in the country. Our depth should help us on a nightly basis. We have a lot of different weapons on the offensive end, but we should have a chance to be one of the better defensive teams I've coached here at Duluth. I'm looking forward to the season & finding the identity of this group." - Head Coach Justin Wieck

Fifth year senior Charlie Katona has been named UMD's NSIC Player to Watch for the 2024-25 season. Katona was a mainstay in the Bulldog starting five last season, starting in all 33 games for the Bulldogs and averaging 28 minutes a game. Katona recorded 424 total points while averaging 12.8 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game and will enter the season as the reigning NSIC Defensive Player of the Year.

"Charlie has been our do-it-all difference maker for the past 4 seasons. His ability to guard multiple positions at a high level led him to NSIC Defensive POY award last season. His ability to score in many ways makes him one of the tougher matchups in our league. Building off his 1st Team All-NSIC performance last year, I'm looking forward to his final go-around in a Bulldog uniform." 

Bulldog men's basketball will begin their 2024-25 season in Iowa City with an exhibition against the University of Iowa on Oct. 25.