SIOUX FALLS – The No. 21 University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (4-0), will face Chadron State (2-2) and Truman State (0-4) at the Dacotah Bank Thanksgiving Basketball Classic on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24 in Aberdeen, S.D. In the tournament hosted by Northern State, the Cougars will face Chadron State at 5 p.m., on Friday with a meeting against Truman State at 4 p.m., on Saturday with both games at the Barnett Center. Fans can follow along through live stats and by watching at this link.

USF was ranked No. 21 in the D2SIDA Men's Basketball National Media Poll which was released on Nov. 20. USF, which has opened 4-0 for the first time since 2012-13, also received votes (21) in the NABC Coaches Poll this week. The Cougars are 3-0 on a neutral floor with a 73-70 overtime win over Central Missouri in Kansas City on Nov. 19 and victories over Fort Hays State, 89-70, and Emporia State, 99-63, at the MIAA-NSIC Challenge at Marshall, Minn. USF also has a 64-47 win over Waldorf in the home opener on Nov. 16.

About Chadron State

Chadron State, directed by third-year head coach Houston Reed (182-190 career record), is 2-2 with a 70-55 victory over Nebraska-Kearney on Nov. 15. CSC also has a 61-54 win over Texas A&M International with losses to Texas A&M Kingsville, 71-59; and Augustana, 83-69.  Michael Sparks leads CSC in scoring at 14.3 points per game and has hit 39.3 percent from three-point range. Charles Gavin has added 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.  As a team, the Eagles are averaging 64.8 points while allowing 65.8 points per game. CSC hits 43.2 percent from the floor and 39.2 percent from three-point range but are being outrebounded, 36.0-to.34.0, per game.

About Truman State

Truman State (0-4), which is directed by first-year head coach Jeff Horner, a former Iowa point guard and North Dakota assistant for three seasons, has not won a game yet but has been competitive. They dropped a 73-61 decision at Washburn and an 87-60 decision to No. 2 Northwest Missouri State. They also have a 91-84 setback to Cedarville and an 81-57 setback to No. 23 Findlay. Taurin Hughes leads the team with 14.3 points per game while also grabbing 3.3 rebounds. He has hit 14-of-25 from three-point range for 56 percent. Turner Scott is also scoring in double digits with 13.8 points per game while dishing 3.9 assists per game. TSU is averaging 65.5 points per game and allowing 83.0 points per game. They have hit 44.3 percent from the floor, 42.6 percent from three-point range and 78 percent at the foul line.

Coo Tracks

After four games, senior All-NSIC guard Trevon Evans leads USF with 22.0 points per game, which ranks fourth in the NSIC, while grabbing 3.3 rebounds with 3.67 assists per outing. Senior All-NSIC forward Drew Guebert is ranked in the NSIC's top-10 in points and rebounds. Guebert is scoring 18.5 points per game for 10^th in the league and 8.3 rebounds per game or seventh in the NSIC. USF, which was picked third overall in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, finished with a DII-program-best 20-10 record in 2017-18. USF also had a program-high 14 NSIC wins a year ago and finished third in the South Division.

Guebert and Evans leading way for USF

Guebert, who was named second team All-NSIC a year ago, ranks 11^th in career points at USF with 1,478 points and needs 47 points to move into 10^th place all-time at USF. Tim Dykstra, a USF Athletics Hall of Fame member, is 10^th with 1,524 points from 1971-75. Guebert, a two-time Academic All-NSIC selection, is also second all-time in made three-pointers with 214. Mack Johnson, who played from 2013-17, is the career leader with 232.  Guebert also has 70 double digit scoring games with 28 games of 20 points or more and five games with 30 points or more.

Evans, a 6-0, 175-pound guard from Wichita, Kan., was earlier this fall named USF's first-ever NSIC Men's Basketball Preseason South Division Player of the Year. Evans, who was first-team All-NSIC and the league's Newcomer of the Year in 2017-18, was selected Co-Player of the Year with Ryan Bruggeman of SMSU in the South Division.  A year ago, Evans averaged 21.1 points per game, which ranked second in the NSIC and 33^rd in NCAA DII. He was named the NSIC Player of the Week three times and one of those honors followed a career-best 42-point performance at Northern State. With that point total, Evans had the second highest point total in the NSIC and was tied for 25th-best in NCAA DII during 2017-18. 

Evans has started this year as he finished a year ago. He is averaging 22.0 points per game with four games in double digit points (15, 26, 19, and 28). He now has 30 double digit scoring games and 18 games of 20 points or more in his career at USF. Evans has 82 career three-pointers after totaling 67 a year ago. Evans, who has 699 points in his career at USF, is also averaging 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds through four games. Evans has hit 15-of-34 three-pointers for 44.1 percent and 13-of-16 from the foul line for 81.3 percent.

Taylor, Pal and Surlic making big contributions

USF is also receiving 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game from senior forward Justin Taylor, who had a career high of 16 points against Fort Hays State. Junior point guard Milan Surlic is averaging 8.5 points, a team-high 4.2 assists and hitting 42.9 percent from three-point range. He had a career-high 20 points against Emporia State on Nov. 10 when he was 8-of-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from three point range. Sophomore forward Teathloach Pal is leading USF with 8.8 rebounds per game and is scoring 5.5 points per game. In the overtime win over Central Missouri, Pal had his fourth career double double with 10 points and 14 rebounds while blocking a career-high four shots.

Cougars leading NSIC in rebounding

As a team, the Cougars are averaging 81.2 points (9^th, NSIC) and allow 62.5 points per game (4^th, NSIC) for a differential of 18.7 points per game. Among the keys to USF success has been its defense and ability to rebound. The Cougars lead the NSIC at 45.5 boards per game. The Cougars have limited opponents to 35.3 percent from the field which leads the NSIC. They also have held opponents to 25.8 percent shooting from three-point range which is the second -best mark in the league.

USF, which has a 154-to-94 scoring advantage in the first-half of games, is hitting 45.6 percent from the field (119-of-261) with 35.1 percent (40-of-114) from three-point range. The Cougars, which have a 45.5-to-33.2 rebound advantage, have hit 72.3 percent from the foul line and have 59 assists and 53 turnovers.
 
Game Breakdown
Cougars rally to defeat Central Missouri, 73-70 in overtime
In a 73-70 overtime victory over Central Missouri on Nov. 19 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., USF received 28 points from Trevon Evans and 15 points and eight rebounds from Drew Guebert to rally from five down late and pick up its fourth win. After leading by six at 51-45 with 4:54 to play, the Cougars had the cards turned on them by the Mules, who had a 12-0 run to take a 57-51 lead and just 30 seconds to play. Then, Evans made his presence known by knocking down a pair of three-pointers to draw USF within one point with 15 seconds to play. UCM made a free throw before redshirt Chase Grinde grabbed an offensive rebound and converted inside to tie the game at 59 and force overtime. In the extra session, Evans hit a three-pointer with 47 seconds left for a 71-70 lead and USF held off UCM in a game in which there were nine tie scores and 15 lead changes. Against UCM, the Cougars faced second-half foul trouble as starters Guebert, and guards Aaron Rothermund and Milan Surlic all fouled out. Yet, USF was able to pick up a third straight win this season – fifth over the last two years – over a team from MIAA. Part of it came from USF's standout senior guard Evans, who found a way to make clutch shots late on a night when the entire team struggled from the field. Evans hit 7-of-19 field goals which included 4-of-10 three-pointers and 10-of-13 free throws while grabbing five rebounds and dishing three assists. USF also received a strong outing from redshirt sophomore Teathloach Pal, who had a double with 10 points and 14 rebounds while blocking a career-high four shots in 23 minutes of work. Players like Justin Taylor and Troy Houghton also shined in key moments. Despite playing just three minutes, freshman guard Troy Houston had a free throw in overtime and a steal. Taylor, a senior forward, had six points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Playing for the first time at the Municipal Auditorium, the Cougars made just 23-of-71 field goals for 32.4 percent. They also converted just 8-of-35 shots from three-point range for 22.9 percent and were 19-of-27 from the foul line. Led by Pal, USF held a 54-43 rebound edge and that included a 21-to-13 margin in boards off the offensive glass. As a result the Cougars had a major edge of 23-to-6 in second chance points. USF's defense was strong as well with seven blocks and six steals.

Cougars win home opener, 64-47 over Waldorf
Trevon Evans scored 19 points to lead USF to a 64-47 nonconference victory over Waldorf University (3-3) on Nov. 16 at the Stewart Center. The Cougars led 34-14 at halftime and opened up the advantage to 30 points at 49-19 before sitting down starters and settling in for a 17-point decision. USF made 28-of-70 shots from the floor for 40 percent. They were just 3-of-20 from three-point range and 5-of-9 from the foul line. However, USF had a 49-to-36 advantage on the boards, shared the ball with 14 assists on 28 made baskets and committed just 10 turnovers. Evans hit 8-of-14 field goals and also made 2-of-5 three-point shots. USF also received nine points and nine rebounds from Justin Taylor while Drew Guebert had seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds while dishing two assists with a pair of blocks.  

USF records 99-63 win over Emporia State
With 26 points from Trevon Evans, 20 points from Milan Surlic and 19 points and eight rebounds from Drew Guebert, USF rolled past Emporia State (1-1), 99-63 on Nov. 10 in nonconference action at the MIAA-NSIC Challenge. This year's tournament between the two elite conferences was hosted by Southwest Minnesota State. USF hit 54.7 percent from the floor on 35-of-64 shooting. They knocked down 17 three-pointers in 34 attempts and made 12-of-15 field goals for 80 percent. And, on defense, the Cougars limited ESU to 28.8 percent shoot (17-of-59) and just 4-of-27 from three-point range. After USF and ESU traded leads nine times, the Cougars broke from a 15-15 tie with a 24-12 run to take a 39-27 lead with 5:16 to play in the first half. Then, USF upped the pressure even more with a 13-7 run to close the half for a 52-34 lead. The Cougars opened the second half on a 15-3 run and led 67-37 with 13:42 to play after a three-ball from Aaron Rothermund, who had nine points on the night. From there, the Cougars continued to dominate on both ends as they led by as many as 39 points on two different occasions. For the second straight night, USF, which received points from 13 different players, was led by its all-league duo in Guebert and Evans with Surlic putting up his best numbers at USF. Evans made 10-of-18 field goals, including 6-of-12 from three-point range. He also added four rebounds, five assists and two steals in 28 minutes of action. Guebert had 19 points and eight rebounds with three assists in 30 minutes of play. He hit 7-of-15 shots from the floor and made a trio of treys.  As for Surlic, he hit 8-of-11 field goals and 4-of-5 from three-point range in his best performance to date at USF. He also dished five assists in his 31 minutes.

Cougars record 89-70 win over FHSU
Led by 33 points and seven rebounds from Drew Guebert, USF opened the season with a dominating 89-70 nonconference victory over Fort Hays State (0-1) at the NSIC-MIAA Challenge on Nov. 9.  Guebert was joined in double digits by Evans, who had 15 points, four rebounds and four assists, and senior forward Justin Taylor with a career-high 16 points. After the two teams traded points through most of the opening 11 minutes of the game, the Cougars, which have defeated FHSU two straight times, used a 17-2 run over the final 8:23 of the first half to build a 44-23 halftime advantage and never looked back. USF maintained at least a 17-point lead the entire second half when the margin grew as large as 28 points on two different occasions. On the night Guebert hit 12-of-18 field goals and made 4-of-8 from three-point range. Evans made 5-of-11 shots from the field and 3-of-7 from three-point range. With the senior trio of Evans, Guebert and Taylor hitting 23-of-38 shots (61 percent), USF had an outstanding night shooting. As a unit, USF hit 33-of-56 field goals for 58.9 percent. They were 12-of-25 from three-point range for 48 percent. Meanwhile, FHSU struggled against a swarming USF defense.  

Kettner signs with USF
This week, Jake Kettner of New Ulm, Minn., signed with USF and will continue his academic and athletic career with the Cougars in the fall of 2019. Kettner, a 6-4, 185-pound guard, is a two-sport standout (football and basketball) from Minnesota Valley Lutheran and the first of USF's 2018-19 signing class. With his senior season about to start, Kettner already has accumulated 1,239 points, 410 rebounds, 278 assists and 175 steals in his career. The son of Kory Kettner, and Jody Hunstad, Kettner, who played for the Minnesota Rise Club team, has been named twice to the Tomahawk All-Conference Team as well as to the All Journal Team in basketball. He has hit 45 percent from the field, including 36 percent from three-point range and 71 percent at the foul line.  As a junior, Kettner averaged 22 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals for Minnesota Valley Lutheran which finished 18-10 and 11-5 in league play. In football, Kettner was named a two-time all-conference wide receiver and to the All-East Subdistrict Team. At USF, Kettner, who has seven siblings, will major in business.
 
USF Head Coach Chris Johnson leads program
University of Sioux Falls head men's basketball coach Chris Johnson, who was named the school's 22nd head coach in 2008, has begun his 11th season at the helm of the program. The Cougars are 4-0 this season and Johnson is 196-147 (.571) in his career with a 180-132 (.577) mark at USF.

Since taking over, Johnson, who is USF's career wins leader, has guided the Cougars to five 20-win seasons, three post-season appearances, two conference tournament championships and one regular season conference crown. Just twice in his run have the Cougars finished below .500. In fact, he has led the team to 15 wins nine times and recorded five 20-win seasons with the 25-10 campaign in 2009-10 the best finish. At the NCAA DII level, USF's mark of 20-10 in 2017-18 is a program-best. The 2017-18 team also finished 14-8 (5th overall) in league play and that is also the top mark for league wins.

He has compiled a 107-40 mark at home and a 57-81 road record with a 17-11 mark on a neutral floor. In NSIC play, he has a 60-72 record, including a 47-26 mark in home league games and 23-43 mark in away games. Johnson is 3-6 in postseason. He is also 51-4 in nonconference games.

Before arriving in Sioux Falls, Johnson was the top assistant coach for three seasons at the University of North Dakota. Prior to joining the UND coaching staff, Johnson spent the 2004-05 season as head coach at Culver-Stockton College. In his lone season as head coach, Johnson led the Wildcats to a 16-15 record, an improvement from the team's 12-19 record the season prior to his arrival. He was named 2004-05 Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the team to the first home conference playoff game in program history. Prior to arriving at Culver-Stockton, Johnson served as an assistant coach at Minot State from 2001-04. Before that he served as an assistant at Minnesota State, Mankato (1999-2001) and Central College (1998-99) in Pella, Iowa. Johnson was a two-year starter as a guard, lettering four times, at Central College and graduated in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science. He received a master's degree in sports administration from Minnesota State, Mankato, in 2005.

Johnson and his wife, Amy, have four children including Bailey, TJ, Zeke and Lucy.