By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball team opens the new year with a two-game stretch that features a key NSIC road test followed by a nonconference matchup back home. The Cougars travel to Marshall, Minnesota on Saturday, January 3 for a 2:00 p.m. tip against Southwest Minnesota State inside the R/A Facility, then return to the Stewart Center on Monday, January 5 to host Briar Cliff at 5:30 p.m. in a rescheduled contest originally slated for November.
USF enters the weekend wielding one of the NSIC's most explosive offenses, torching opponents for 84.3 points per game. But the next two opponents present drastically different puzzles to solve. SMSU brings a battle-tested conference squad that can suffocate defensively and drain threes with surgical precision, while Briar Cliff thrives in chaos, pushing tempo behind veteran gunners who aren't afraid to let it fly.
The storyline that will define USF's season? Whether they can match their offensive firepower with defensive consistency. The Cougars have proven they can fill it up—even with room to grow from deep and at the charity stripe—but turning stops into wins will determine how far this team can go as winter unfolds.
Scouting Southwest Minnesota State (8–4, 6–1 NSIC)
Southwest Minnesota State rolls into Saturday riding a wave of efficient, disciplined basketball that's made them a conference force. The Mustangs drop 74.9 points per game while holding opponents to 70.0, building their success on a deadly combination: 47.4 percent shooting overall, 38.8 percent from downtown, and a rock-solid 74.8 percent at the free-throw line. Add in just 11.3 turnovers per game, and you've got a team that makes you earn everything.
Jakob Braaten is the maestro orchestrating it all, pouring in 16.3 points per game while dishing 5.5 assists and grabbing 5.6 rebounds. He's a 50 percent shooter who converts 88.2 percent at the stripe—essentially automatic when the game's on the line. Aeron Stevens provides a steady 12.8 points, while Micah Schlaak is a sniper nightmare at 11.8 points per game and 46.4 percent from three-point range. Mekhi Shaw matches that scoring output and brings relentless downhill pressure that keeps defenses on their heels.
But here's what makes SMSU dangerous: they defend with teeth. The Mustangs swipe 9.3 steals and swat 4.4 blocks per game, turning defense into instant offense and flipping momentum when you least expect it. They win the gritty battles—the loose balls, the effort plays, the possessions that don't show up in highlights but determine outcomes. The rebounding battle stays tight, but SMSU's defensive activity and shot quality often tip the scales when it matters most.
Scouting Briar Cliff (7–7, 4–3 GPAC)
Briar Cliff brings a completely different brand of mayhem to the Stewart Center on Monday. The Chargers average 75.9 points on 46.7 percent shooting, thriving in transition and spreading the floor with lethal three-point shooting. They've already buried 112 triples through 14 games while knocking down 33.9 percent from deep—and they're hunting for more.
Blake Sindelar is the headliner at 18.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, a versatile scorer who can beat you in multiple ways and plays massive minutes. Jaxson Wingert complements him with 18.1 efficient points per night, forming a veteran one-two punch that requires constant attention. Then there's Dawson Mohr, who's already knocked down 33 threes at a 39.3 percent clip, and Colby Collison, who's absolutely scorching from deep at 45.0 percent on 27 makes. Miss a closeout, and they'll make you pay.
The tradeoff? Briar Cliff plays with the throttle wide open, and opponents have torched them for 48.3 percent shooting this season. If USF can dominate the glass like they've done all year, eliminate careless possessions, and force the Chargers to grind in the halfcourt, the Cougars can dictate tempo and control this game on their home floor.
Cougar Spotlight
The numbers tell you everything about USF's identity: 84.3 points per game, 44.0 percent from the field, and an absolute dominance on the glass at 41.0 rebounds per contest with a +5.9 margin. Even when shots aren't falling early, the Cougars create extra opportunities through sheer will on the boards.
USF has been navigating life without leading scorer Taylen Ashley, who's been sidelined but still leads the team at 18.5 points per game on 34.4 percent three-point shooting with 24 assists in just eight games. In his absence, Brogan Madson has stepped up as a go-to option at 16.3 points per game, while Kyle Ingwerson continues to rain threes, averaging 14.3 points on 39.1 percent shooting beyond the arc with 34 triples already.
Brandon Hrncir brings the muscle inside at 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and Camden Davis is a glass-cleaning machine at 6.2 boards per contest. Jacoby Mehrman has emerged as a force in recent games, dropping double digits against CSP and Minnesota State while ripping down 12 crucial rebounds in the win over St. Cloud State.
The challenge? Defense. Opponents are shooting 49.3 percent overall and 35.1 percent from three against the Cougars. Tighten those numbers while maintaining their rebounding stranglehold, and USF has the formula to string together wins in conference play.
Numbers Game
- Offensive Firepower: USF averages 84.3 points per game, establishing a high floor even with shooting efficiency still climbing.
- Owning the Glass: USF is +5.9 on the boards and averages 41.0 rebounds per game—a relentless advantage that travels anywhere.
- Mustang Precision: SMSU shoots 47.4 percent from the floor and 38.8 percent from three, demanding sharp closeouts and contested shots.
- Defensive Havoc: The Mustangs average 9.3 steals and 4.4 blocks per game—poise and ball security aren't optional.
- Three-Point Barrage: Briar Cliff has buried 112 threes through 14 games, making transition defense and communication non-negotiable.
- Veteran Scorers: Sindelar (18.5) and Wingert (18.1) form a battle-tested scoring duo that demands physical, connected defense.
Coach's Corner
"Excited to get back on the court with the guys. We have had a good week of practice so far and we look forward to the challenge of going over to SMSU on Saturday. They are leading the South and we will need to play well. We are also looking forward to getting back on our home floor in the Stewart Center on Monday vs BC. That will be a quick turnaround and we will need to be ready to go vs a talented BC team."
- Head Coach Chris Johnson
Inside the Gym
Saturday, Jan. 3 at Southwest Minnesota State
Monday, Jan. 5 vs Briar Cliff
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