By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball team returns to NSIC play this weekend for a contrasting two-game road swing that will test their adaptability—visiting Winona State on Saturday, December 13 at 5 p.m. inside McGown Gymnasium before heading to St. Paul for a Sunday matchup at 2 p.m. against Concordia–St. Paul inside the Gangelhoff Center.
The Cougars enter the weekend fresh off a pulse-pounding double-overtime thriller against Augustana, continuing to showcase one of the league's most potent offenses at 82.9 points per game.
Scouting Winona State (2–6, 1–2 NSIC)
Winona State operates at a glacial pace with a possession-oriented style, entering the weekend averaging just 63.6 points per game while allowing 79.4—ranking dead last in the NSIC in both scoring offense and scoring margin. The Warriors are still forming their identity after significant roster turnover from last year's NCAA Central Region semifinal team, searching for the formula that once made them dangerous.
Balanced shot distribution defines the group, with four starters averaging between 8 and 14 points per game in a committee approach to offense. Gavyn Hurley leads the Warriors in both scoring (13.8) and rebounding (6.5), and he's been remarkably efficient at 56.8 percent from the floor. Ryan Heise adds 12.3 points per game while Tyler Mason and Aidan Bardic round out a perimeter-focused scoring core that spreads the wealth but lacks a true go-to option.
Defensively, WSU's early struggles stem from opponent shooting efficiency. The Warriors have been torched at 47.2 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three, while holding a –3.8 rebounding margin and a –4.9 turnover margin across eight games—numbers that clearly explain their 2–6 start. Winona does, however, rank first in the NSIC in free throw percentage at 79.6 percent, a clutch-shooting strength that keeps them competitive late in games when possessions become precious.
Scouting Concordia–St. Paul (7–2, 2–1 NSIC)
Concordia–St. Paul presents almost the inverse scouting profile of Winona State, operating as one of the league's fastest and highest-scoring teams at a blistering 86.7 points per game. CSP enters the weekend ranked second in the NSIC in scoring offense and top three in three-point percentage at a scorching 39.4 percent, embracing run-and-gun basketball at its finest.
Ben Kopetzki is one of the league's most dynamic guards, averaging 20.6 points while shooting 44 percent from the field and an absurd 94.4 percent at the free throw line. Owen Carlson adds 14.8 points on elite efficiency that defies logic—shooting 55.8 percent from the field and a league-best 55.8 percent from three-point range. Sam West gives CSP a unique Swiss Army knife presence at 12.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while also leading the team in steals (27) and blocks (8), serving as the engine that makes their chaos organized.
The Golden Bears thrive on disruptive defense and controlled mayhem, ranking first in the NSIC at 10.0 steals per game while also forcing 16.1 turnovers per contest. Opposing teams are shooting 47.5 percent from the floor, but CSP's breakneck pace and superior shot-making ability often negate that defensive challenge by simply outscoring the problem.
Cougar Spotlight
USF enters the weekend playing extremely well offensively and continues to showcase one of the most balanced scoring quartets in the NSIC. Taylen Ashley ranks eighth in the league at 18.5 points per game while shooting 34.4 percent from three and delivering an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.00—top-three in the conference among qualified guards—giving USF a steady hand and massive advantage in late-game execution.
Brandon Hrncir remains among the most efficient players in Division II and a legitimate cheat code inside the arc, shooting 63.5 percent from the field (No. 1 in the NSIC) while adding 13.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Kyle Ingwerson continues to stretch defenses at 13.3 points per game and 35.6 percent from three, and Brogan Madson rounds out the scoring core at 13.0 points per game with 24 assists, tied for the team lead.
The Cougars have not struggled offensively, ranking fifth in the NSIC at 82.9 points per game and first among NSIC teams in rebounding margin at a dominant +8.1. Improvements in two areas—three-point shooting (29.3 percent) and free throw percentage (66.7 percent)—combined with greater defensive consistency could elevate USF even further, especially against opponents with contrasting styles like Winona's half-court pace and CSP's high-octane tempo.
USF also continues to defend the glass at an elite level, holding opponents to just 32.5 rebounds per game, the second-best defensive rebounding rate in the NSIC, while Camden Davis ranks sixth in the league at 6.6 rebounds per game—leading all USF players and giving the Cougars a weapon few teams can match off the pine.
Numbers Game
- Pace Whiplash – WSU averages 63.6 points per game; CSP averages 86.7. USF must prepare for two completely different tempos in a 24-hour span.
- Rebounding Edge – USF's +8.1 rebounding margin ranks No. 1 in the NSIC. Both opponents are bottom half in the league on the glass—a potential mismatch to exploit.
- Defensive Reset – Opponents are shooting 49.9 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three against USF. Improved pressure and tougness inside are non-negotiables this weekend.
- Turnover Battle – CSP forces 16.1 turnovers per game; WSU struggles at –4.9 turnover margin. USF sits slightly positive at +0.6, making ball security paramount against the Golden Bears.
- Three-Point Pressure – USF faces a WSU team struggling from deep (29.4 percent) and a CSP team drilling 39.4 percent. Defensive versatility and closeout discipline will be tested.
Coach's Corner
"We are looking forward to going on the road and playing two very good NSIC teams. We will have to play well to have a chance, but the guys are working very hard trying to get better with the things we need to."
- Head Coach Chris Johnson
Inside the Gym
Saturday at Winona State
Sunday at Concordia-St. Paul
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