By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball team returns to the Stewart Center this weekend for another pair of pivotal NSIC matchups, hosting Minnesota Crookston on Friday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. before welcoming MSU Moorhead on Saturday, January 24 at 5:00 p.m. for Alumni Day.
Saturday is Alumni Day! All alumni planning to attend should RSVP here to be recognized during the game and celebrate their Cougar legacy.
USF enters the weekend tied for sixth in the conference standings and riding the NSIC's longest active winning streak at eight games. With Alumni Day festivities surrounding Saturday's contest and two conference opponents that present dramatically different challenges, the Cougars will look to protect home court, extend the streak, and continue their surge up the standings as the second half of league play unfolds.
Scouting Minnesota Crookston (3–15, 1–11 NSIC)
Minnesota Crookston arrives in Sioux Falls looking to snap a three-game losing streak and find any kind of traction in conference play. The Golden Eagles are led by fourth-year head coach Bryan Beamish and enter the weekend struggling on the road at 1–9 this season. History isn't on their side either—USF owns a commanding 15–3 all-time record against Crookston and an even more dominant 8–1 mark at home, including sweeping both matchups last season.
On paper, this looks like a mismatch. But conference road games are never gimmes, and Crookston brings enough pieces to make things interesting if USF loses focus.
Offensively, Crookston averages 73.1 ppg—near the bottom of the NSIC—and struggles with efficiency at just 39.9 percent shooting from the field. But they can stretch the floor, averaging 8.6 made three-pointers per contest. When they get hot from deep, they're dangerous. Free-throw shooting has been inconsistent at 70.3 percent, and the Golden Eagles often put opponents on the line, creating opportunities for teams that attack the paint aggressively.
Crookston competes on the glass, averaging 11.4 offensive rebounds per game with just a –2.2 rebounding margin. Defensively, they generate activity with solid block and steal numbers, ranking fifth in the NSIC in blocks and seventh in steals per game. They'll pressure the ball, challenge shots, and try to create chaos.
Donez Lindsey leads the way with 14.7 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest. Kazadi Mukoma, Alijah Washington, and Spencer Swenson all average double figures, giving Crookston multiple scoring threats. Swenson anchors the interior with a team-high 5.6 rebounds and 22 blocks—he's a rim protector who alters shots and cleans up mistakes. The Golden Eagles also rotate heavily, with 10 players logging consistent minutes, meaning fresh legs keep coming in waves.
Scouting MSU Moorhead (10–8, 7–5 NSIC)
MSU Moorhead enters the weekend tied with USF in the conference standings and sitting atop the NSIC North Division. The Dragons split last weekend, falling in a high-scoring shootout to Augustana before bouncing back with a win over Wayne State. First-year head coach Jason Kemp has quickly established Moorhead as one of the league's most dangerous offensive teams—and that's an understatement.
The Dragons lead the entire NSIC in scoring at 86.7 points per game and have eclipsed 90 points nine times this season, including two 100-point outings. This is a team that scores in bunches, in transition, in the halfcourt, and from every level. MSUM shoots efficiently across the board, ranking third in the league in both field goal percentage (48.4 percent) and three-point percentage (37.7 percent) while averaging just over nine made threes per game. They also lead the conference at the free-throw line, shooting 76 percent as a team.
Defense has been more of a challenge for Moorhead—they allow 84.9 ppg and give up 38 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Translation: games with the Dragons turn into track meets. They'll score on you, but you'll get chances to score on them. Still, Moorhead is solid on the glass with a +3.0 rebounding margin and rotates heavily, with 10 players averaging double-digit minutes.
Dominic Gooden leads the team at 14.2 ppg, providing steady scoring and veteran leadership. Isa El-Amin adds 12.6 points and 3.3 assists while leading the Dragons in steals—he's the engine that makes the offense go. Sam Hastreiter is an efficiency machine, shooting 60.9 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from three. He doesn't take bad shots, and when he shoots, it usually goes in. Rodrick Payne adds physicality inside with 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, banging bodies and finishing through contact.
Saturday's game could be a high-scoring affair. Buckle up.
Cougar Spotlight (10–8, 7–5 NSIC)
The Cougars are playing their best basketball of the season. Eight straight wins. The longest active streak in the NSIC. A surge that has vaulted them back into the heart of the conference race. During this stretch, USF is averaging 89.6 ppg while holding opponents to 81.9—pairing offensive firepower with timely defensive stops when it matters most.
The offensive explosion has been fueled by improved shooting and relentless physical play. Over the winning streak, the Cougars are shooting near 40 percent from three, 74.1 percent at the free-throw line, and own a dominant +7.0 rebounding margin. But here's the stat that tells the story: USF has generated 73 more free-throw attempts than their opponents during the streak. They attack downhill, draw contact, and make opponents pay at the stripe. That's winning basketball.
Brogan Madson has been the catalyst, averaging 18.1 ppg on the season and an absurd 22.5 ppg during the eight-game run. He creates for others, generates steals defensively, and delivers in clutch moments. Taylen Ashley adds 16.3 points and 4.1 rebounds, bringing athleticism and scoring punch. Brandon Hrncir provides inside-out balance at 14.4 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting over 54 percent from the field—he's efficient, physical, and consistent. Kyle Ingwerson stretches defenses with 14.4 ppg and nearly 40 percent shooting from three, making opponents pay for sagging off.
Jacoby Mehrman and Gerard Bosch have also stepped up in expanded roles, giving USF valuable production off the bench during the run. This team has depth, confidence, and momentum.
Numbers Game
- Winning Ways: Eight straight wins—the longest active streak in the NSIC—while averaging 89.6 ppg during that stretch. The Cougars are rolling.
- Free Throws: USF has attempted 73 more free throws than opponents over the last eight games, reflecting an aggressive, downhill attack that draws contact and gets to the line.
- Perimeter Threat: Crookston averages 8.6 made threes per game. Closeouts and transition defense will be critical to not letting them hang around.
- Rim Protection: Spencer Swenson leads UMC with 22 blocks, anchoring the Golden Eagles' interior defense and altering shots near the rim.
- Scoring Machine: The Dragons lead the NSIC at 86.7 ppg and have topped 90 points nine times this season, including two 100-point games. Saturday will be a shootout.
- Efficiency: Moorhead ranks third in the league in both field goal percentage (48.4 percent) and three-point percentage (37.7 percent). They don't take bad shots, and they finish.
Coach's Corner
"Excited to get to play in the Stewart Center again this weekend, and we will have a bunch of alumni around as well. We will need to keep sharing the ball on offense and continue taking strides on defense. Both will be tough games, as all NSIC games are, and we need to be ready to go."
— Head Coach Chris Johnson
Inside the Gym
Friday, Jan. 23 vs Minnesota Crookston
Saturday, Jan. 24 vs MSU Moorhead
Stay Connected
For all things USF Men's Basketball, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Be the first to know what's going on inside USF Athletics by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter!
