The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team returns to Romano Gymnasium this weekend, hosting the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers on Sunday, Nov. 17, 1:00 PM.
Last Time Out
The Bulldogs opened up their 2024-25 season with an undefeated 2-0 weekend at the American Family Insurance Classic, defeating Southeastern Oklahoma State 115-81 and Oklahoma Baptist 71-52.
UMD took down the SEOSU Savage Storm on day one, using six players with double digit points to put up a high scoring season opener. Charlie Katona led the pack with 17 points for the Bulldogs, with Mattie Thompson tacking on 15 points and two steals as well.
UMD won the rebound battle and took another victory on day two against the OBU Bison. Austin Andrews led the Bulldogs with 19 points and two steals, with the UMD defense holding OBU to 29.6% shooting from the field.
Weekend's Spotlight Players:
#24 Charlie Katona - 2 GP, 33 PTS, 15 RBs, 4 STLs, 57.1 FG%
#32 Austin Andrews - 2 GP, 32 PTS, 7 RBs, 6 A, 73.7 FG%
#12 Mattie Thompson - 2 GP, 23 PTS, 5 STLs, 3 BLKs, 57.9 FG%
Scouting Report
The University of Wisconsin Parkside Rangers started off their 2024-25 season at the GLIAC-GLVC Conference Crossover, falling to both the Upper Iowa University Peacocks and the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars.
The Bulldogs are 3-4 against the Rangers since the 2013 season, most recently defeating them last season 90-66 on the road in Kenosha, WI and defeating the Rangers in their last three meetings.
#12 Nick Brown currently leads the Rangers' scheme, tallying 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists through their first two games.
UMD Slated Third in NSIC Preseason
The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team was slated to finish third in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in the 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.
Katona Named NSIC Player to Watch
Fifth year senior Charlie Katona was 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.
Last Season
The Bulldogs closed out their 2023-24 season with their third straight NCAA tournament appearance, falling in the second round against the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats.
UMD closed out the regular season at second place in the NSIC standings, and would go on to fall in the championship game of the NSIC tournament to the eventual NCAA National Champs, Minnesota State Mankato.
The Bulldogs secured the third seed going into the NCAA Central Region tournament, and closed out the opening round with a buzzer beater layup from Mattie Thompson to defeat Fort Hays
State.
UMD ended their season in the semifinal round after a defense driven, 71-62 loss to the Bearcats.
Looking Ahead
Bulldog men's basketball returns next weekend to host the inaugural St. Louis County Basketball Classic tournament, where they will face the Michigan Tech Huskies and the Northern Michigan University Wildcats. Tip-off against the Huskies is currently set for Friday, Nov. 22, at 6:00 PM.
