With the reestablishment of a two-division system, the University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team has been selected as the favorites to win the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) North Division, with Caleb Siwek being selected as the Player to Watch.

In the NSIC's annual preseason poll, UMD has been ranked as the favorite to win the North Division, receiving 47 points, with the next closest team being Minnesota State University Moorhead with 43 points. Overall, the team finds itself in a tie for fifth with Augustana University, earning an identical 174 points. They both trail Concordia University St. Paul in fourth (176), Minnesota State University Mankato in third (189), St. Cloud State University in second (194), and Southwestern Minnesota State University as the favorites (219).

The conference spent the last two seasons with a single division structure where the Bulldogs combined for a 33-11 record in conference play. In the last five seasons of the dual division structure, UMD has had four top-three finishes in the conference, including a North Division win in the 2021-22 season. 

Junior guard Caleb Siwek earned the NSIC's pick as the Player to Watch at UMD. Last season, he averaged 12.7 points per game, made a team third-best in three-point shots (32), and averaged 3.9 rebounds per game.

"Caleb turned the corner last year as one of our better shooters & scorers from the perimeter," said head coach Justin Wieck. "His ability to play both guard positions with great poise makes him a key part of our team this season. His role will continue to grow as he becomes one of our valued leaders of this team."

Siwek and the Bulldogs open the 2025-26 season against the University of Wisconsin-Superior on November 3rd, with the first NSIC action set for November 25th against Bemidji State University.