By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team closes out the regular season this week with two high-stakes NSIC matchups, hosting Wayne State on Wednesday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Stewart Center before traveling to face Augustana on Saturday, February 21 at 3:30 p.m. in the Elmen Center. With tournament seeding directly on the line in both contests, the Cougars enter the final week of the regular season with their postseason destiny firmly in their own hands.
The stakes couldn't be clearer. Wayne State is tied with USF in the NSIC standings at 10–10, and the Wildcats won the first meeting this season—making Wednesday's rematch a de facto tiebreaker with direct tournament seeding implications. Augustana, meanwhile, has clinched a first-round bye as one of the conference's top four teams and enters as one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league. Back in November, the Vikings and Cougars played one of the most memorable games of the season, a 108–106 double-overtime thriller at the Stewart Center. Expect another battle.
Scouting Wayne State (14–12, 10–10 NSIC)
Wayne State enters the week at 14–12 overall and 10–10 in NSIC play under longtime head coach Jeff Kaminsky, sitting tied with USF in the conference standings despite a current four-game losing streak. The Wildcats are 4–8 on the road this season, but none of that history matters much on Wednesday—Wayne State won the first meeting 91–79 on December 6 in Nebraska, and that result looms large in any tiebreaker conversation heading into the tournament. This is a must-win for the Cougars if they want to control their seeding.
Wayne State is built on defensive toughness, and that identity hasn't wavered this season. The Wildcats hold opponents to 73.9 points per game (fourth in the NSIC), force 13.0 turnovers per contest (third in the league), and rank fourth in the conference in steals at 7.9 per game. They rely on stopping teams inside the arc rather than running shooters off the line—a potential advantage given that three-point shooting hasn't been USF's sharpest weapon this season. Offensively, Wayne State averages 75.7 points per game and shoots 36.0 percent from three but ranks among the fewest three-point makers per game in the conference, leaning instead on interior efficiency and physical play.
Matt Noll leads the Wildcats with 13.7 points per game and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 45.7 percent from the floor. Andrew Stokes does most of his damage inside, averaging 12.7 points per game on a stellar 58.6 percent shooting—first in the NSIC. JJ Ferrin stretches the defense from the perimeter, averaging 11.1 points per game with the sixth-most three-point attempts in the league. Aurrion Harris rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.3 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game (fourth in the NSIC), while leading the team in assists, steals, and blocks. He's everywhere.
Scouting Augustana (17–8, 15–5 NSIC)
Augustana enters Saturday's matchup at 17–8 overall and 15–5 in conference play, sitting in second place in the NSIC standings and having already locked up a first-round bye in the tournament. The Vikings had won nine straight before St. Cloud State ended the run last weekend and clinched the conference's top seed, but Augustana remains one of the hottest and most efficient teams in the league under second-year head coach Cody Schilling. This will be the Cougars' toughest test of the final week—and a chance at postseason momentum.
The Vikings are built on efficiency, precision, and ball movement. Augustana leads the NSIC in field goal percentage at 49.4 percent and ranks third in scoring at 82.9 points per game, while holding opponents to 76.6 per game. They take care of the basketball better than almost anyone, averaging just 9.6 turnovers per game—third-fewest in all of NCAA Division II—and rank second in the conference with 15.1 assists per game. They also defend without fouling, putting teams on the free-throw line the second fewest times in the league. On the glass, Augustana limits second chances through strong defensive rebounding rather than offensive board crashing, averaging just 7.8 offensive boards per game—last in the NSIC.
Tameron Ferguson is one of the most complete players in Division II, averaging 19.9 points per game (third in the NSIC), a conference-leading 6.8 assists per game (third nationally), and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor—all while logging a league-high 35.6 minutes per game. He does everything, and he's nearly impossible to game plan for. Caden Hinker adds 15.6 points per game with a team-high 6.2 rebounds and shoots 42.6 percent from three, providing floor spacing alongside interior production. Sam Rensch contributes 14.0 points per game while leading the team in steals and shooting 41.2 percent from three. Tanner Te Slaa averages 10.4 points per game with 69.2 percent of his shot attempts coming from beyond the arc—a player who can heat up from deep at any moment.
Cougar Spotlight (13–13, 10–10 NSIC)
USF enters the final week of the regular season at 13–13 overall and 10–10 in NSIC play after splitting last weekend—dropping the opener to Concordia-St. Paul before bouncing back with a strong performance against Winona State. The Cougars are firmly in the mix for a first-round home game in the NSIC Tournament, and the best part? They control their own destiny. Win the Wayne State game, and USF gains the negates the head-to-head tiebreaker. Win both, and they'll certainly return to the Stewart Center for postseason basketball.
Offensively, USF continues to lead the NSIC in scoring at 84.3 points per game, fueled by a relentless attack that puts opponents on the defensive from the opening tip. The Cougars rank tied for first in the conference in offensive rebounds at 13.3 per game and tied for first in rebounding margin at +6.0, creating extra possessions and second-chance opportunities that wear teams down over 40 minutes. They're also second in the NSIC with 15.1 assists per game and own a 1.28 assist-to-turnover ratio (second-best in the league), reflecting ball movement that creates quality looks. Defensively, USF has given up 83.7 points per game and 48.8 percent from the floor—numbers that will need to tighten if the Cougars want to knock off a second-place Augustana squad on the road.
Brogan Madson leads the Cougars at 18.3 points per game in his freshman season, getting to the rim and living at the free-throw line—his 130 made free throws lead the entire NSIC. Taylen Ashley adds 14.3 points per game and has contributed the second-most made threes on the team. Brandon Hrncir provides steady interior production at 14.0 points per game on 50.9 percent shooting with a team-high 6.0 rebounds. Kyle Ingwerson continues to stretch the defense, shooting 40.7 percent from three en route to 13.6 points per game. Jacoby Mehrman provides a steadying presence, contributing 8.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while leading the team in steals and shooting an efficient 54.7 percent from the floor.
Numbers Game
- Tiebreaker: Wayne State won the first meeting 91–79 and is tied with USF in the standings—Wednesday's result has direct tournament seeding implications.
- Wayne's Defense: The Wildcats hold opponents to 73.9 points per game (fourth NSIC) and force 13.0 turnovers per contest (third)—USF must protect the ball and execute.
- Ferguson's Impact: Tameron Ferguson averages 19.9 points and a conference-leading 6.8 assists per game—third nationally—making him one of the most dangerous players USF will face all season.
- Efficiency Leaders: Augustana leads the NSIC in field goal percentage (49.4%) and averages just 9.6 turnovers per game, third-fewest in all of NCAA Division II.
- Free Throw Machine: Brogan Madson's 130 made free throws lead the NSIC, a weapon that becomes especially important in late-game situations against physical defenses.
- Home Court: The Cougars are markedly better at home this season—controlling the Stewart Center on Wednesday could be the difference between hosting or traveling in round one.
Coach's Corner
"Important week ahead as we gear up for the conference tournament. We want to build on last weekend and continue to keep improving. Wayne and Augie will be tough opponents, and those games will have a big impact on seeding for the tournament next week. We will need to play very well to have a chance at success this week."
— Head Coach Chris Johnson
Inside the Gym
Wednesday, Feb. 18 vs Wayne State
Saturday, Feb. 21 at Augustana
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