SIOUX FALLS -- The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (7-1, 3-0 NSIC), which has matched its best start since 2006-07, will face road test with its first action again NSIC North opponents this weekend. They will battle NSIC North co-leader St. Cloud State (5-2,  2-0 NSIC) on Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. , in Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud, Minn. USF will meet Minnesota-Duluth (2-4, 0-2 NSIC) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Romano Gym in Duluth, Minn. After a 7-1 start, USF is ranked seventh in the D2SIDA Central Region rankings, released this week.

Inside Scoop on Cougars
Through eight games, USF ranks fourth in DII with a rebounding margin of 12.9 at 42.1-to-29.3 rebounds per game edge.  USF is led by junior forward Drew Guebert, who leads the NSIC  and ranks 10th in NCAA DII in scoring at 24.3 points per game.  Junior guard Trevon Evans is fifth in the NSIC at 19.3 points per game.  USF has the league lead in points per game at 88.0 per game, a total that is 25th  nationally. The Cougars, picked ninth in the NSIC Preseason Poll, have scored 90 points or more in five of eight games for the first time in the D2 era and dating back to the NAIA days.  At this point, USF is ranked in the top five in the NSIC in nine categories. Aside from scoring and rebounding margin, USF leads the NSIC with 42.1 rebounds per game and rank second in scoring margin at 13.3 ppg as well as field goal percentage at 49.3 points per game. They are fourth in the league in three point field goal percentage at 41.5 percent and fifth in assist-turnover ration at 1.3, the best mark at the DII level. On defense, the Cougars have been solid, ranking seventh in the NSIC by allowing just 74.8 points per game.  In addition, USF is fourth in defensive field goal percentage at 41.5 percent and third in blocks at 4.0 per game.

Follow USF BB on social media, video and live radio broadcoasts
Follow USF Men's Basketball on Twitter at @USFCooBBall. All USF's home games and NSIC contests are streamed for free through Stretch Internet at usfcougars.com/watch. Veteran announcer Tom Frederick will provide play-by-play for both the nonconference games on Stretch Internet and conference games at KWSN.com. Live stats for home games are available at www.sidearmstats.com/mbball. Head Coach Chris Johnson will be a guest on Sports Talk with Craig & John on KWSN.com every Thursday at 5:40 p.m.

Cougar Tracks
~ Junior forward Drew Guebert scored 42 points on Dec. 1-2 and  has become USF's 32nd player ever to score 1,000 points
~ Both seniors Jerrod Walton (517), who has six double digit games in eight played, and Zach Wessels (523) have moved past 500 career points.
~ A rarity, USF has had two players record double doubles of over 30 points and 10 rebounds. Trevon Evans had career highs with 31 points and 12 rebounds against Ft. Hays State while  Drew Guebert had a career-best 36 points with 10 rebounds against SMSU
~ At 7-1, USF is off to its best start  opening 21-1 open in the 2006-07 season.
~ USF has outrebounded every team this season by at least six rebounds. The Cougars have had over 40 boards five times with a high of 50 against SMSU
~ In its seven wins, USF has outshot opponents from the field.
~ Twice in 2017-18, the Cougars have over 10 3's in a game with a high of 12 against Wisconsin-Superior
~ Redshirt freshman Austin Slater recorded his first career double double with 13 points and 17 rebounds in OT win over SMSU. He had totaled just five points and seven rebounds before his big game on Nov. 25. In fact, the 17 rebounds are the most by a USF player since Kelly Hubbard had 19 on Jan. 13, 2009 (16 points, 18 rebounds, 85-84 win over Northwestern)
~ Five times this season, USF has trailed at halftime but won the game
~ USF has scored at least 41 points in the second half of seven of eight games (all wins); and has had 49 or  more second half points five times, including three of the past four games
~ USF is 7-0 when outshooting opponents with a best of 54 percent from the field in the win over Waldorf. In NSIC play, USF shot 49.1 percent against Winona State
~ USF ranks fourth nationally in rebound margin at 12.9 per game and has had at least six more rebounds that any opponent. In fact in five of the eight games, USF has had double digit advantages with a best of plus-21 in the win over Wisconsin-Superior. In NSIC play, USF has had double digit rebound advantages in all three wins (12 vs SMSU, 12 vs Winona State and 15 over Upper Iowa).
~ USF has had at least one block in every game with a seven high of seven against SMSU. In six straight games, USF, third in the NSIC in blocks, have had at least two each game.
~ For stat nerds, Drew Guebert has an effective field goal percentage of 63.8 percent (accounting that three point shots have more value than two point field goals) and a true shooting percentage of 68.2 percent (player's shooting efficiency - accounting for field goals, three pointers and free throws in one metric) while accounting for 28.8 percent of plays by USF on offense. As a team, USF has a 51.1 percent effective field goal percentage and a 53.2 true shooting percentage - solid numbers.

Player Awards
U.S. Basketball Writers Player of the Week -- Drew Guebert, Nov. 28
NSIC Player of the Week -- Trevon Evans, Nov. 13
NSIC Player of the Week -- Drew Guebert, Nov. 27

St. Cloud State leads series, 10-2
St. Cloud State leads USF, 10-2 in all-time series, including 5-1 in NSIC play.  On Dec. 9, 2016, SCSU took a 90-74 decision at the Stewart Center.  Drew Guebert led USF in scoring with 20 points as he hit 7-of-14 shots from the field, including two three pointers and all four of his free throws.  Junior forward Tom Aase had a career 15 points while pulling down seven rebounds and recording a blocked shot. Junior guard Zach Wessels had 12 points, three rebounds and three assists before fouling out.  Scottie Stone led a hot-shooting SCSU squad with 28 points, hitting 8-of-14 field goals and 5-of-8 from three point range. He also was 7-of-7 from the foul line as SCSU made 15-of-22 as a team. But the story was the shooting by SCSU, which hit 33-of-57 from the floor for 57.9 percent, including a blazing 19-of-26 from the field in the second half for 73.1 percent. Besides Stone, Gage Davis had 17 points and Jon Averkamp, 16. The Cougars, which trailed, 39-31 at halftime, opened the second half fast, drawing within 39-35 with 19:25 to play when Mack Johnson knocked home a jumper. But that was as close as the Cougars would get on the night. In a series that dates to 1986-87. In 2015-16, the Cougars defeated SCSU, 98-80 as Mack Johnson had 24 points and Drew Guebert, 17. USF, which defeated SCSU for the first time in NSIC play, shot 59.2 percent (35-59) from the  floor, including 10-of-23 from three-point range and 18-of-22 at the foul line at Halenbeck Hall on Jan. 30, 2016.  Gage Davis had two points on 1-of-8 shooting and Scottie Stone, 10 points. On Jan. 31, 2015, Jordan Poydras had 21 points and Scottie Stone, 16 in a 76-61 victory at the Stewart Center. USF had 23 from Charles Ward. On Feb. 26, 2014 at Halenbeck Hall, SCSU took a 86-75 win in the NSIC Tourney. Matt Craggs led SCSU with 29 while Charles Ward had 17 points and Mack Johnson 13 (3, 3's). On Jan. 11, 2014 in the regular season contest, SCSU defeated USF, 85-73 as Jordan Poydras had 18 points. Derek Brown had 15 points and Charles Ward, 15 points and 12 rebounds. On Jan. 12, 2013, SCSU took a 83-73 decision as Damarius Cruz had 25 points. The only other USF victory was 75-67 in the 2006-07 season  at Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud as Eric DePue had a double double of 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Cougars.

USF leads UMD, 4-3 in all-time series
USF is 4-3 vs. Minnesota-Duluth during the Cougars' tenure in the NSIC. In the most recent action on Dec. 10, 2016, USF defeated UMD, 83-70 , led by a  career-high 33 points from senior forward Daniel Hurtt. USF, which led by as many as 16 points in the second half (70-54, 8:29, 2nd), never trailed.  Hurtt  was 11-of-17 shooting from the field, including 5-of-6 from three-point range. He was 6-of-6 from the foul line and had six rebounds, including four off the offensive glass. Senior Mack Johnson had his 65th double digit point game of his career with 21 points as he made 9-of-17 shots from the floor while also grabbing five rebounds.Drew Guebert added 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Overall, USF hit 30-of-66 field goals for 45.5 percent, including 10-of-21 from three point range for 47.6 percent and 13-of-18 from the charity stripe. USF had a 43-34 edge in rebounds. UMD, which was led by Luke Harris with 15 points and Kyle Schalow with 13, hit 26-of-62 shots for 41.9 percent. They were 6-of-20 from three point range for 30 percent and 12-of-14 from the foul line for 85.7 percent. USF recorded a 80-74 victory in the NSIC Tourney First Round at Romano Gym on Feb. 24, 2016.  In the victory, USF advanced to the conference quarterfinals in the tournament after Mack Johnson had 28 points, including 10-of-10 from the foul line to lead the way. Earlier, USF lit it up from the perimeter, hitting 17 three-pointers for a 95-73 win over Minnesota-Duluth at Romano Gym on Jan. 29., 2016.  Mack Johnson had 25 points, including 7-of-10 from three-point range, while also dishing seven assists. On Jan. 30, 2015, USF dropped a 74-70 decision to UMD. M. Johnson had 20 points in the loss at the Stewart Center. Brendon Pineda had 21 to lead the Bulldogs.  On Jan. 10, 2014, the Bulldogs took an 86-64 win at Romano Hall as Peter Crawford scored 34 points and Jordan Retz added 30. USF received 13 points and eight rebounds from Jordan Stotts. USF trailed UMD, 39-35, at halftime but were outscored 47-29 in the second half. USF's only other win over UMD was a 76-55 decision at the Stewart Center on Jan. 11, 2013. USF had five players score in double figures, including James Rader with 15. The Cougars made 11 3's. In the first game of the series, UMD took a 90-72 decision  over USF in 1982-83. 

How  Cougars stand in NCAA DII Statistics
Team                 
Scoring -- 25th, 88.0 ppg
Rebound Margin -- 4th, 12.9 per game
3-point field goal percentage -- 32nd, 41.0 percent
Defensive Rebounds Per Game  -- 3rd, 32.25 per game
Scoring Margin -- 36th, 13.3 ppg
Individual
Scoring -- Drew Guebert, 10th, 24.3 ppg
Total Points -- Drew Guebert,  16th, 194
Total Field Goals -- Drew Guebert, 18th, 67
Assist-Turnover Ratio -- Zach Wessels, 28th, 3.3

Inside Look at the Opponents - St. Cloud State, Minnesota-Duluth
St. Cloud State - USF will face St. Cloud State on Friday with the Huskies holding a 5-2 mark and 2-0 lead record. SCSU, directed by Matt Reimer (55-44, 4th year), is in a first place tie with Northern State (2-0 NSIC, 8-1 overall).  SCSU has won three straight games, including a 96-62 decision on the road at Bemidji State and a 69-57 victory against Minnesota-Crookston last weekend. The Huskies rank just 14th in scoring at 72.7 ppg but are stingy defensively as they sit second in the lead by allowing just 64.1 ppg.  Despite missing all-league guard Gage Davis for most of the season, SCSU is off to a fast start with Jon Averkamp averaging 20.1 points per game (4th, NSIC) and Brindley Theisen supplying 144.4 points per game (18th, NSIC). In his first game back, Davis had 25 points and a team-high nine rebounds in a 96-62 victory over Bemidji State. Averkamp also had 25 points in the victory.  Another key contributor for SCSU has been Brindley Theisen, who is averaging 14.4 points per game while Sean Smith is supplying a double double of 11.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest.

Minnesota Duluth - On Saturday, the Cougars will look to win a fourth straight game against UMD, which has dropped two straight road NSIC games. The Bulldogs fell to Minnesota Crookston, 98-90; and Bemidji State, 73-63 last weekend. Directed by sixth year head coach Matt Bowen (57-91 at UMD). The Bulldogs  averaged 71.5 ppg (NSIC, 15th) and allow 75.8 (NSIC, 11th). It is a team that excels at the free throw line as they lead the NSIC at 85.6 percent. UMD also holds down turnovers, ranking first in the lead with just 8.3 per game.  UMD is led by Logan Rohrscheib, who is 16th in the NSIC in scoring at 15.2 ppg. His teammate, forward Brandon Myer, also scores at 15.2 ppg and 6.0 rebounds per game while guard Trevor Entwisle is averaging 11.2 points per game.
 
Quick Look at USF in 2016-17
The Cougars recorded their first home sweep NSIC sweep of the season with an 80-64 victory over Winona State and the come-from-behind 90-78 decision over Upper Iowa. Drew Guebert had 23 points to lead USF past Winona State, overcoming an 11-2 deficit to open the game. On Saturday, Trevon Evans tied a career high with 31 points, including 27 in the second half, to lift USF to the victory over Upper Iowa. On Nov. 25, Guebert had a career-best 36 points with 10 rebounds to rally USF to a 91-85 overtime victory over defending NSIC South champion Southwest Minnesota State at the Stewart Center. Evans added 16, including the game-tying basket with 2.8 seconds left in overtime and Jerrod Walton had 18 points, including 7-of-7 from the foul line in overtime. On Nov. 21, the Cougars had 28 points from Guebert and 21 from Walton in an 89-62 victory over Waldorf at the Stewart Center. In the victory, the Cougars shots 60.6 percent from the floor in the second half and 54 percent for the game on 34-of-63 shooting. USF made 8-of-18 from three point range for 44.4 percent. In a loss to Minnesota Crookston on Nov. 18 at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, USF had a 16-point lead but a hot shooting Golden Eagles squad rallied in the second half for the win. It was a rare nonconference match up between NSIC foes. Guebert made 7-of-13 field goals, including both of his three pointers and all five of his free throws while grabbing five rebounds. USF shot just 43.3 percent from the floor (26-of-60), but were 8-of-14 from three point range and are leading the NSIC.  Against UW-Superior, the Cougars opened up a 41-20 advantage at halftime and cruised to the 90-49 win. For the third straight game, USF shot over 50 percent from the floor.  Guebert scored 22 points with four three-pointers. Evans had 13 points while reserves Aaron Rothermund had a career-high 11 and freshman Chase Grinde added a career-high 10. In the opening weekend, the Cougars recorded back-to-back overtime wins with the 94-89 decision over host Emporia State and a 96-92 victory over Fort Hays State at the MIAA-NSIC Challenge in Emporia on Nov. 10-11.  Evans, who was named the NSIC Men's Basketball Player of the Week, averaged 29 points and 10.5 rebounds and Guebert supplied 22.5 points per game in the wins at the MIAA-NSIC Classic. It was the first time in the D2 era that USF had recorded back-to-back overtime wins. 

Evans ranks fifth in the NSIC in scoring; eighth in rebounding
Junior guard Trevon Evans has opened his career at USF in a big way, leading the Cougars to seven wins in eight games. He ranks fifth in the NSIC in scoring at 19.3 points per game.  With a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game, he ranks eighth in the NSIC. He tied a career high with 31 points, including a career-best 27 points in the second half, to help USF rally to a 90-78 victory over Upper Iowa. In a 91-75 overtime win over SMSU Nov. 25, Evans had 16 points and had the game-tying basket with 2.8 seconds to play. At the MIAA-NSIC Classic on Nov. 10-11, he had 28 points and nine rebounds in the 94-89 OT win against Emporia State on Nov. 10. He bettered his performance on the second day, lighting it up for a career-best 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds as USF defeated Fort Hays State, 96-92 in overtime.  As a result of those performances, he earned NSIC Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors.  Evans has seven double digit scoring games (28, 31, 13, 14, 16, 14, 31) including three games over 20 points and two over 30.  He also has one double double.

Guebert becomes 33rd USF player to score 1,000 career points
After scoring a combined 42 points in a weekend sweep of Winona State and Upper Iowa,  Drew Guebert became the 33rd player in school history to top 1,000 career points. At 1,002, he needs six points to move in 32nd and past Ryan Reitsma (2003-07, 1,007 points) on USF all-time men's basketball point chart.  This weekend, he needs just 22 points to move up to 29th (Ryan Coapstick, 2001-03, 1,023 points).  With 50 points, he can move up to 28th and past Gary Reed (1959-63, 1,052 points). Currently, Guebert ranks first in the NSIC and 10th in NCAA DII with 24.3 points per game. He has already been named NSIC South Player of the Week on Nov. 27. With 64 points (28, 32), Guebert was named the U.S.. Basketball Writers Association Player of the Week on Nov. 28. A junior forward from Apple Valley, Minn.,  he has 48 double digit scoring games with 18, 20-point games. This season, he has received double digits in all eight games and has a run of 11 straight double digit games. This year, Guebert has gone over 20 points six times and twice over 30 points. Over the past seven games, he is averaging 25.85 points per game.  Currently, Guebert ranks in the top 10 in the NSIC in  field goal percentage, 6th, 54.9 percent; three point percentage, second, 47.8 percent; three point field goals, third, 2.8 per game.