By: Clint Neumann
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Sanford Pentagon. Saturday afternoon. Eight seed versus one seed, with a semifinal berth on the line.
The University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team has earned its shot at the top dog. After dispatching Wayne State 94–76 in the opening round, the Cougars now face the challenge they've been building toward all season — a quarterfinal showdown with No. 1 seed St. Cloud State on Saturday, February 28 at 4:30 p.m. It won't be easy. But USF has beaten this team before, and they know it.
Scouting St. Cloud State (23–5, 20–2 NSIC)
There's a reason St. Cloud State hasn't lost since before Christmas. The Huskies are the NSIC regular season champions, owners of a 16-game winning streak, and the most disciplined defensive team in the conference — and they're not apologizing for any of it.
Defense is their identity. St. Cloud holds opponents to a league-best 66.3 points per game, limits teams to 40.1 percent shooting from the field and 28.4 percent from three, and contests shots with the kind of relentless physicality that makes life uncomfortable for even the best offenses. Their offense is efficient rather than flashy, averaging 76.3 points per game — but with a +10.0 scoring margin that leads the NSIC, they don't need to outscore you. They just need to suffocate you.
The Huskies are equally dominant on the glass, leading the conference at 40.9 rebounds per game with a +5.7 rebounding margin and 12.8 offensive boards per contest. Add in 7.14 steals and 3.57 blocks per game, and St. Cloud is the kind of team that makes every possession feel like a grind.
Sophomore guard Luke Winkel, a First Team All-NSIC selection, leads the offense at 18.1 points and 4.1 assists per game. Wyatt Hawks — the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year — averages 11.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and a conference-best 2.3 blocks per game. Anish Ramlall provides a three-point threat at 37.5 percent from deep, and Nate Dahl and Lee Marks III give the Huskies a physical, rebounding-heavy frontcourt.
USF is well-acquainted with all of it. The two teams split the regular-season series — the Cougars won 82–77 at the Stewart Center in December, before St. Cloud answered with a commanding 102–65 victory in the rematch. Saturday is the rubber match, and it's on a neutral floor.
Cougar Spotlight (15–14, 11–11 NSIC)
USF comes in as the eight seed, but don't let the record fool you. The Cougars lead the NSIC in scoring at 86.1 points per game and showed in Wednesday's opening-round win exactly what they're capable of when everything is clicking.
The challenge is that St. Cloud has seen USF twice already — and has answers. The Huskies held the Cougars to 73.5 points per game in their two regular-season meetings and forced 15 turnovers per contest while committing just 10 combined across both games. Saturday's matchup is a classic collision: the NSIC's most explosive offense against its most stifling defense.
The rebounding battle and free-throw line could be the deciding factors. Both teams rank among the NSIC leaders in total rebounds and both shoot exactly 71.7 percent from the stripe while leading the league in attempts. In a tight, physical game at a neutral site, the team that wins those categories often wins the game.
Brogan Madson enters Saturday as the NSIC Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-Conference selection — remarkable for a freshman. He averages 19.6 points per game, shoots 46.9 percent from the field, and has made 156 free throws this season while leading the team in assists at 3.1 per game. Taylen Ashley has been on a tear down the stretch, dropping 30 points in two of his last three games to go with a 15.5-point season average. Kyle Ingwerson, a Second Team All-NSIC honoree, provides perimeter gravity at 13.7 points per game on 39.5 percent shooting from three. Brandon Hrncir anchors the frontcourt with 13.4 points and a team-best 5.7 rebounds per game, and Jacoby Mehrman brings steady efficiency — 58 percent shooting from the floor, a team-leading assist-to-turnover ratio, and tops in steals.
Numbers Game
- Streak – St. Cloud State enters Saturday riding a 16-game winning streak, having not lost since before Christmas.
- Defense – The Huskies allow just 66.3 points per game — the best mark in the NSIC — while holding opponents to 40.1 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from three.
- Offense – USF leads the entire conference at 86.1 points per game, though St. Cloud has held the Cougars to just 73.5 in their two regular-season meetings.
- Glass Battle – St. Cloud averages a conference-best 40.9 rebounds per game with a +5.7 margin, while USF sits just behind among the league leaders after out-rebounding Wayne State 48–34 in the opening round.
- Free Throws – Both teams lead the NSIC in free throws attempted and shoot an identical 71.7 percent from the line, meaning execution at the stripe in a tight game could be the difference-maker.
- Turnovers – SCSU committed just 10 total turnovers across two regular-season games against USF while forcing the Cougars into 15 per contest, a battle of ball security that USF must win to pull the upset.
Coach's Corner
"St. Cloud is a great team. They've won 16 in a row and won the league by multiple games. We will have to play very well and handle their physicality to have success. We are excited for the challenge."
- Head Coach Chris Johnson
Inside the Gym
Saturday, February 28 vs St. Cloud State
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