The No.11 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team begins their Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) schedule this weekend, taking on the No.18 ranked Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 PM and the University of Sioux Falls Cougars on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 PM.
Last Time Out
The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the 2024-25 season last week, narrowly falling 49-53 in a defensive battle against the Lake Superior State University Lakers.
A strong defensive effort from the Bulldogs kept LSSU to just 4.5% shooting from beyond the arc and 35.2% from the field, forcing 17 turnovers from the Lakers throughout the contest. Though UMD struggled to produce offensively as the Lakers protected their four point lead to end the game.
Weekend's Spotlight Players
#4 Caleb Siwek - 1 GP, 14 PTS, 4 REB, 2 A, 3-3 (100%) FT
#11 Jayden Johnson - 1 GP, 10 PTS, 4 REB, 4-4 (100%) FT
Scouting Report - Southwest Minn. State
The Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs are 6-1 overall and 1-0 against NSIC opponents so far throughout 2024-25, most recently coming off an 80-69 victory over Briar Cliff.
The Bulldogs are 3-9 against the Mustangs since 2014, holding a 3-3 home record and a 0-6 away record against them. The Bulldogs largest margin of victory against SMSU has been 29 points (91-62, Jan. 2022), and most recently defeated the Mustangs 70-62 in February of last season.
The Mustangs are led by sophomore forward #0 Aeron Stevens, currently averaging 19.0 PPG with 114 total points over six games played.
Scouting Report - University of Sioux Falls
The University of Sioux Falls Cougars are 5-2 overall and 1-0 against NSIC opponents so far throughout 2024-25, most recently coming off a 104-64 victory against Doane University.
The Bulldogs are 7-5 against the Cougars since 2014, holding a 3-4 home record and a 4-1 away record against them. The Bulldogs largest margin of victory against USF has been 35 points (100-65, Dec. 2019), and most recently defeated the Cougars 78-76 in February of last season.
The Cougars are led by redshirt senior guard #4 Noah Puetz, currently averaging 15.0 PPG with 105 total points over seven 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 will return for their first home games of the NSIC schedule next week against the Augustana University Vikings and the Wayne State College Wildcats. Tip-off against the Vikings is currently set for Friday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 PM.
