By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball team packs its bags for what promises to be a defining weekend, venturing deep into Minnesota territory for a brutal NSIC road swing. First stop: Duluth on Friday, January 9 at 5:30 p.m., where the Bulldogs await. Then it's off to Bemidji for a Saturday showdown with the Beavers at 3:30 p.m.
Coming in hot with a four-game winning streak and playing their most complete basketball of the season, the Cougars face a fascinating contrast in opponents. In Duluth, they'll meet a defensive juggernaut that strangles opponents with precision and patience. In Bemidji, they'll battle one of the NSIC's most electric offenses—a team that lights up scoreboards. Road wins in this league don't come cheap, and this weekend will reveal whether USF can defend, dominate the glass, and execute in hostile territory.
Scouting Minnesota Duluth (10–4, 6–2 NSIC)
The Bulldogs own the NSIC North Division and sit atop the conference standings. They're 6–1 at home, riding a three-game win streak, and haven't missed the NCAA Tournament in five straight years under coach Justin Wieck. This isn't a program that stumbles—it's one that suffocates.
Duluth averages 76.4 points per game, but don't let that number fool you. Their true identity is built on steel-plated defense and ruthless efficiency. They rank second in the NSIC in scoring defense (69.1 ppg allowed), hold opponents to a measly 42.6 percent shooting, and boast the third-best rebounding margin in the conference at +3.9.
But here's what really sets them apart: ball security. The Bulldogs cough up just 9.4 turnovers per game—the best mark in the NSIC and the lowest in the entire nation. Meanwhile, they're forcing 13.0 turnovers themselves. That's the kind of margin that wins.
Offensively, they spread the wealth. Four players hit double figures, led by Caleb Siwek at 15.6 ppg. Noah Paulson is a monster inside, dropping 12.9 points on an absurd 59.5 percent shooting while adding 5.1 boards and leading the team in blocks and steals. Kole Hanson and Jackson Fowlkes keep defenses honest from deep, launching nearly half their shots from beyond the arc.
Scouting Bemidji State (6–7, 3–5 NSIC)
Don't be fooled by Bemidji's middle-of-the-pack record. This team can flat-out score. Ranked sixth in the North Division and 11th overall, the Beavers run an offense so creative and spacing-heavy that opponents spend entire film sessions scratching their heads. Coach Mike Boschee has built a system that's equal parts beautiful and lethal.
The numbers don't lie: third in the NSIC in scoring at 83.9 ppg, leading the conference in field goal percentage at 51.3 percent, and the league's best three-point shooting team at 40.6 percent. They drain 9.7 triples per game—seventh in the nation. Defensively, they're no slouches either, holding opponents to 40.5 percent shooting with elite rim protection.
The weak spots? Turnovers and rebounding. Bemidji coughs it up 14.6 times per game (most in the NSIC) and forces just 9.2 turnovers, creating a brutal –5.4 margin. On the glass, they're barely treading water at +0.5.
John Pecarich is an absolute flamethrower, leading the conference at 21.3 ppg and shooting 43.4 percent from three. His 46 made triples rank seventh nationally. Henry Shannon III adds 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and a league-best 2.2 blocks per game while logging a staggering 35.2 minutes. Eddie Jallow Hedqvist and Austin Josephson round out a tight seven-man rotation that plays heavy minutes and refuses to flinch.
Cougar Spotlight
The Cougars are surging at exactly the right time. Winners of four straight—including statement victories over St. Cloud State, Minnesota State, and Southwest Minnesota State—USF is finally playing the basketball coach Chris Johnson envisioned. Confidence is rising. Execution is sharpening. The pieces are coming together.
USF ranks second in the NSIC in scoring at 83.9 ppg and does it without relying on the three-ball (30.3 percent from deep). Instead, they attack relentlessly, leading the league in free-throw attempts, and absolutely punish opponents on the offensive glass with 14.6 offensive rebounds per game (first in the NSIC). Their +6.4 rebounding margin ranks second in the conference. Add in 15.1 assists per game and the league's second-best assist-to-turnover ratio (1.25), and you've got a team that moves the ball, attacks the rim, and fights for every possession.
Brogan Madson has been unstoppable during this stretch, leading the team at 17.1 ppg and ranking among the NSIC leaders with 96 free-throw attempts. He also paces the Cougars in assists and steals, earning NSIC South Player of the Week honors after torching SMSU and Briar Cliff. Taylen Ashley's return adds another 17.0 ppg to an already potent attack, while Kyle Ingwerson stretches defenses with 37.9 percent shooting from three and 14.4 ppg. Brandon Hrncir provides steady interior presence at 12.6 points and 5.6 rebounds, and Alex Mattes has been a spark plug off the bench during the win streak.
Numbers Game
- Offensive Pace: USF ranks second in the NSIC at 83.9 points per game despite shooting just 30.3 percent from three.
- Extra Chances: The Cougars lead the league with 14.6 offensive rebounds per game, creating second-chance scoring opportunities nightly.
- Defensive Identity: Duluth allows just 69.1 points per game, ranking second in the NSIC in scoring defense.
- Ball Security: UMD averages only 9.4 turnovers per game, the best mark in Division II.
- Shooting Clinic: Bemidji State leads the NSIC in both field goal percentage (51.3) and three-point percentage (40.6).
- Rim Protection: Henry Shannon III leads the NSIC at 2.2 blocks per game, anchoring BSU's interior defense.
Coach's Corner
"This weekend will be a big test for us. Duluth is leading the conference standings and we always seem to have really close games with Bemidji. Road wins in the NSIC are hard to come by, so we will have to play well this weekend to give ourselves a chance."
— Head Coach Chris Johnson
Inside the Gym
Friday, Jan. 9 at Minnesota Duluth
Saturday, Jan. 10 at Bemidji State
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