By: Clint Neumann
Weekend Matchup Preview
The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball team (11-7, 7-5 NSIC) embarks on a pivotal road swing, facing St. Cloud State (12-8, 8-4 NSIC) Friday at 5:30 PM followed by Bemidji State (6-12, 3-9 NSIC) Saturday at 3:30 PM. The surging Cougars, in the midst of a season-best five-game winning streak, look to climb the NSIC standings against two opponents - St. Cloud State's dynamic, balanced scoring and Bemidji State's methodical, interior-focused approach.
Scouting the St. Cloud State Huskies
The Huskies have established themselves through their versatile gameplay and deep rotation. Their 8-4 conference record reflects their adaptability, equally comfortable in fast-break shootouts or grinding defensive battles. St. Cloud State's offensive output of 76.4 points per game (7th NSIC) coupled with their defensive allowance of 73.9 points (10th NSIC) underscores their balanced approach.
St. Cloud's defensive disruption stems from their aggressive perimeter pressure, generating 7.8 steals per game (3rd NSIC) and igniting their transition offense. Their multi-pronged scoring attack features several double-digit scorers, forcing defenses to account for multiple threats. While their +2.1 rebounding margin (8th NSIC) shows competence on the glass, their achilles heel remains ball security, averaging 15.4 turnovers (13th NSIC) - a vulnerability the Cougars must exploit.
Key Players to Watch
Historical Matchup vs. St. Cloud State
Despite trailing 6-14 in the all-time series, USF has made significant strides against the Huskies recently, securing four wins in their last ten meetings. Last season's split epitomized the rivalry's intensity - a 92-83 Cougar victory at home followed by a nail-biting 70-68 road defeat. Recent matchups have hinged on rebounding battles and defensive execution, areas where USF has shown marked improvement.
Scouting the Bemidji State Beavers
The Beavers, while struggling in NSIC play, remain a formidable opponent capable of catching fire offensively. Their 71.9 points per game (11th NSIC) and 76.1 points allowed (11th NSIC) reflect their challenges on both ends, yet their sophisticated interior game, spearheaded by the Sutherland-Olson frontcourt tandem, poses matchup problems for any opponent.
While maintaining a positive rebounding margin (+0.6, 10th NSIC), Bemidji's effectiveness has been hampered by ball security issues (-3.3 turnover margin, 12th NSIC) and inconsistent perimeter shooting (33.4%, 10th NSIC). Their defensive struggles are particularly evident in opponent shooting percentage (47.2%, 13th NSIC), creating a critical area for the Cougars to exploit.
Key Players to Watch
Historical Matchup vs. Bemidji State
USF's 8-6 series lead includes last year's unforgettable 68-66 NSIC Tournament victory, sealed by Jack Thompson's buzzer-beater. Regular season matchups proved equally compelling, with Bemidji claiming a dramatic 75-74 win in Sioux Falls and a hard-fought 76-69 home victory. The series' trademark intensity and late-game drama suggest another classic awaits.
Cougars at a Glance
USF enters the weekend riding unprecedented momentum, their five-game winning streak propelling them to 11-7 overall (7-5 NSIC). The Cougars have established themselves as an NSIC rebounding powerhouse, pulling down 39.4 boards per game (2nd NSIC) with an impressive +7.3 margin. Their offensive efficiency shines through their 76.8 points per game (6th NSIC), bolstered by conference-leading marks in three-point shooting (37.5%) and assists (16.7 per game).
The Cougars' defensive improvement during their winning streak complements their season average of 73.5 points allowed (8th NSIC), suggesting a team hitting its stride at the perfect time.
Key Players to Watch
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Creighton Morisch: Morisch has been a dominant force in the paint, averaging 12.3 points and a league-best 9.9 rebounds per game. His rim protection (1.6 blocks per game) and ability to clean up the boards will be critical against physical teams like St. Cloud and Bemidji. Offensively, his 51.1% field-goal shooting adds efficiency inside.
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Noah Puetz: Puetz has been the Cougars' most consistent scorer this season, leading the team with 13.7 points per game. He's a versatile player who contributes across the board, averaging 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Puetz shoots 47.3% from the field and 36.9% from three-point range, making him a reliable offensive option in both half-court and transition.
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Taylen Ashley: Ashley's shooting touch and playmaking have added a dynamic element to USF's offense. Averaging 12.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, Ashley is especially dangerous from beyond the arc, where he shoots 40.2%. His ability to hit key shots and push the pace in transition makes him a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
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Kyle Ingwerson: Ingwerson has been a steady contributor, averaging 10.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. His ability to stretch the floor with 37.3% three-point shooting and his physical play inside add versatility to the Cougars' frontcourt. He's also a strong finisher in the paint, often capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.
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Shawn Warrior: The team's defensive catalyst averages 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while setting the tone with his intensity. Warrior's clutch play and two-way impact make him indispensable in crucial moments, particularly in physical conference matchups.
Keys to Victory for the Cougars
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Rebound Relentlessly: USF's dominance on the glass must continue against both opponents' physical frontcourts, particularly in limiting second-chance opportunities.
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Defend the Perimeter: Containing elite shooters like Winkel and Pecarich will force both opponents out of their offensive comfort zones and disrupt their spacing.
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Win the Battle of Extra Possessions: USF's conference-leading 11.7 offensive rebounds per game could prove decisive against both opponents who emphasize limiting second chances. Converting these extra opportunities into points would give the Cougars a significant advantage and potentially break open tight games.
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Control the Interior: The Cougars' defense, anchored by Creighton Morisch, faces tough challenges against Hawks (SCSU) and Sutherland (BSU) in the post. Establishing strong paint protection without excessive fouling will force both teams outside their comfort zone and into lower-percentage shots.
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Capitalize on Transition Opportunities: With St. Cloud's turnover vulnerability (15.4 per game) and Bemidji's transition defense weaknesses, the Cougars should look to pressure the ball and score early in possessions. Converting defensive stops into quick offense before opponents can set up their half-court defense could provide the edge in both matchups.
Fan Information
- Stream: Watch live on the NSIC Network.
- Live Stats: Follow along with live statistics here Friday at here Saturday.
- Radio: Tune in to KWSN 98.1 FM / 1230 AM with Tom Frederick on the call.
- Social Media: Get updates on Twitter (@USFCougarsMBB) and Instagram (@USFCougarsMBB).
