Complete Release (PDF)
This Week: The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (15-5, 8-3 NSIC), winners of eight its last nine games and currently on a five-game winning streak, hits the road this weekend for a pair of key Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games.
On Friday, Jan. 30, SMSU will face the University of Minnesota Duluth (14-7, 8-3 NSIC) beginning at 8 p.m. at UMD's Romano Gymnasium. Both SMSU and UMD are in a three-way for second place in the NSIC standings, one half game behind Winona State.
SMSU concludes the road trip on Saturday, Jan. 31 with a match-up versus Bemidji State University (7-11, 5-6 NSIC) at the BSU Gymnasium with tip-off slated for 8 p.m.
Following this weekend's action, SMSU will return home on Tuesday, Feb. 3 with a non-conference game versus the University of North Dakota at 7 p.m.
NCAA Regional Rankings Released: The NCAA will be announcing its first regional rankings of the season on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The top eight teams in the region qualify for the NCAA tournament with tournament champions from both the NSIC and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference receive automatic bids to the regional.
About Southwest Minnesota State: The Mustangs are 15-5 overall, 8-3 NSIC, following Saturday night's 49-41 home win over Wayne State. SMSU trailed 24-18 at halftime, but used an 11-0 run early in the second half to regain the lead with just 14 minutes left and held on for the victory. SMSU shot just 36.7 percent, turned the ball over 18 times and scored its second lowest point total of the season, but forced 22 WSC?turnovers and held a 32-24 rebound advantage.
Jon DeRock leads SMSU in scoring this season with 9.7 points per game and has drilled a team-high 38 three-pointers.
Ross DeMasi is averaging 9.0 ppg and team-best 9.9 rebounds per game and is shooting a team-high 57.4 percent.
Andrew Peschong is the team leader in assists with 70, while DeRock leads the team lead with 20 steals. SMSU is averaging 74.4 points per game, while allowing 64.6 ppg, and is outrebounding opponents by a 40.8 to 31.2 per game margin.
Mustang Minutes: SMSU begins the weekend ranked first in the NSIC?(conf. games only) in both scoring defense (63.9) and rebound margin (+7.4) ... SMSU is also second in turnover margin (+2.5) and second in steals (8.2) ... SMSU seniors
Ryan Krome (108) and
Ross DeMasi (104) are two of just 18 Mustang players all-time to appear in 100 career games ... Krome needs three assists to become the 13th player in school history to reach 200 career assists ... junior
Andrew Peschong ranks ninth with 224 assists ... SMSU senior
Ross DeMasi begins the weekend ranked tied for second in the conference in rebounding (8.5) and is fifth in field goal pct. (.583) ...?SMSU has won nine games away from Marshall this season after recording just five road or neutral site victories all of last season ... senior
Ross DeMasi has recorded nine double figure rebounding games this season, including three games with 16 rebounds ... SMSU has made more three-pointers than its opponents in 14 of 20 games.
Winning Streak Reaches Five: SMSU is currently on a five-game winning streak, the program's longest win streak since winning six in a row during the 2006-07 season.
Record After 20 Games: SMSU's 15-5 record after 20 games ranks as the second best start in school history. Only the 2000-01 squad, which was 16-4 after 20 games and eventually was 19-4, had a better record. The 2000-01 team would go on to finish 28-7 and win the NSIC?and NCAA?regional championships.
Free Throw Shooting Improving: SMSU is shooting 66.2 percent from the free throw line this season ranking 183rd in the country. This is a major improvement from mid-December when SMSU ranked 252nd at 59.3 percent. SMSU has shot better than its season average in its last eight games and in five of the last seven games the Mustangs have shot 81 percent or better.
DeMasi and SMSU?Rank High in NCAA?Stats:?Senior
Ross DeMasi ranks 18th in the nation in rebounds per game with 9.9, according to the latest NCAA II?stats released on Tuesday, Jan. 27. SMSU ranks 11th in the nation in rebounding margin at plus-9.6, 12th in turnovers per game (12.2) and 25th in assist/turnover ratio (1.27). For a complete list at where SMSU and Mustang individuals rank in the NSIC?and NCAA?stats, see page 5 of release.
More DeMasi in NCAA?Rankings:?Three times this season senior
Ross DeMasi has recorded 16 rebounds in a game (vs. Ft. Lewis, South Dakota and Sioux Falls). The 16 rebounds are tied for the 18th highest single-game total in NCAA?II this season. Nate Flowers from Montevallo (Ark.) has the 2008-09 NCAA?II?single-game high of 28 rebounds.
About Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs, 14-7 overall, 8-3 NSIC, are led by junior forward Brian Sykora who leads team in both scoring (16.0) and rebounding (8.7). Skykora ranks 45th in the nation in rebounding. Senior center John Vaudreuil is averaging 14.6 ppg and 6.6 rpg. Steve Klass is the team leader with 43 three-pointers. UMD is averaging 72.1 ppg, while opponents are scoring 68.5 ppg. The Bullodgs rank 14th in the nation in turnovers per game (12.2) and 15th in three-point field goal pct. (.405). UMD?head coach Gary Holquist is in his 11th season with a record of 169-143.
About Bemidji State:?The Beavers, 7-11, 5-6 NSIC, host Minnesota State, Mankato on Friday night. Junior guard Seth Haake leads BSU?in scoring with 13.4 ppg and is one of four players averaging double figures. Haake ranks 26th in the nation in free throw pct. (.875). Freshman guard Jake Lindstrom has connected on a team-high 26 three-pointers. BSU is averaging 72.4 ppg, while allowing 75.8 ppg. BSU head coach Matt Bowen is in his third season with a record of 18-55.
The Series Match-Up: Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth meet for the 71st time with UMD leading 49-21, including 31-5 in Duluth. SMSU has won the last three games, including two in a row in Duluth. SMSU won 86-61 last season in Duluth. SMSU head coach Greg Stemen is 5-6 versus UMD.
SMSU and Bemidji State meet for the 83rd time with SMSU leading 47-35. BSU is 22-17 all-time in games played in Bemidji, but SMSU has won the last two meetings at BSU. SMSU is currently in a five-game winning streak in the series with BSU's last victory coming during the 2005-06 season. Greg Stemen is 8-7 versus BSU.
(Series information and all-time scores on page 2 & 3)
SMSU?Appears in Top 25: SMSU spent two weeks earlier this season ranked in NABC Top 25 national poll. SMSU was No. 19 in the first regular season poll released on Nov. 25, before dropping to No. 24 in the Dec. 2 ranking. SMSU's national ranking marked the first time since Dec. 3, 2001, that SMSU appeared in the national poll. SMSU has been in the national poll 10 weeks in school history, including seven weeks in 2000-01, one week in 2001-02 and the two weeks this season.
Mustang Bench Key to Start: One of the keys to SMSU's 15-5 record this season has been its tremendous depth and great play by its non-starters. Ten players have appeared in all 20 games this season and all 10 are averaging at least 12.8 minutes per game. Mustang non-starters are averaging 33.4 points per game compared to just 19.2 by their opponents. The SMSU bench has outscored its opponents bench players in 18 of 20 games this season. Below is a look at the season stats for the SMSU and opponents' bench players.
Bench FG% 3-FG% FT% REB PTS SMSU .442 .386 .638 17.0 33.4
Opp. .471 .377 .755 13.8 19.2
Keepin' the Opponent Under 70:?Defense has been a trademark for Mustang basketball under head coach Greg Stemen. During Stemen's now eight years as head coach, SMSU is 96-18 overall, including 14-1 this season, when limiting opponents to 69 points or less.
Consecutive Three-Point Games:?Southwest Minnesota State has connected on at least one three-point field goal in 303 straight games. The last time SMSU failed to score a three-pointer was on Dec. 11, 1998 versus MSU?Moorhead in a game played at the North Dakota State Classic in Fargo.
SMSU Late in the Game:?Making plays down the stretch on both ends of the floor is a major key for teams in earning victories. The following is SMSU's and its opponents' statistical averages in the final five minutes this season:
<5 min. FG% 3-FG% FT% REB PTS TO
SMSU .476 .276 .667 4.4 10.3 1.3
Opp. .479 .297 .747 4.5 10.8 1.7
Mustangs Home and Away:?SMSU is 6-2 at home this season after?finishing 12-2 at home last season and setting a school record with 13 victories in 2006-07. SMSU is a solid 9-3 away from home this season after earning just five road or neutral site victories all of last season. Here is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2008-09:
W-L FG% 3-FG% FT% REB PTS TO
Home 6-2 .442 .344 .708 38.4 74.8 12.3
Away 9-3 .444 .358 .628 42.5 74.2 12.2
Krome All-Time at the Line:?Senior
Ryan Krome ranks sixth in school history for career free throw percentage at 81.7 percent (183 of 224).
1. .853 Matt Fletcher (198-232) - 2004-08
2. .845 Jacob Fahl (377-446) - 1999-03
3. .841 Sam Leggett (212-252) - 1974-76
4. .836 Jared Keaveny (107-128) - 2002-04
5. .826 Steve Elzenga (109-132) - 1983-86,87-88
6. .817
Ryan Krome (183-224) - 2005-09
DeMasi Climbing Record Books: Senior
Ross DeMasi ranks among the top 11 in three categories in the SMSU career record book. He is currently third all-time in field goal percentage at 56.8 percent (259 of 456), fifth in rebounds with 620 and 11th in blocked shots with 41.
SMSU All-Time Rebounds
1. 848 Frank Belmont - 1971-75
2. 717 Mike Tobin - 1982-86
3. 713 Mike Lang - 1968-72
4. 648 Scott Koenen - 1998-01
5. 620
Ross DeMasi - 2005-09
SMSU All-Time Field Goal Percentage
1. .573 Doug Imming (323-564) - 1979-83
2. .572 Mike Koenen (218-381) - 1997-99
3. .568
Ross DeMasi (259-456) - 2005-09
Peschong Moving Up in Assists: Junior
Andrew Peschong is now ninth in school history with 224 career assists. He trails Matt Fletcher for eighth all-time by 12 assists.
1. 304 Marques Pena - 1998-01
2. 291 Chad Oletzke - 1992-95, 96-97
3. 286
Brad Bigler - 1997-98,99-02
4. 271 Mike Tobin - 1982-86
5. 260 Jacob Fahl - 1999-03
6. 253 Charlie Taylor - 1981-83
7. 245 Juan Mitchell - 1983-87
8. 236 Matt Fletcher - 2004-08
9. 224
Andrew Peschong - 2006-09
Mustangs On the Boards Strong Again: SMSU has outrebounded its opponents in 17 of 20 games and have a plus-9.7 rebound advantage on the season. This is a trend that has been a trademark of head coach Greg Stemen's teams in recent years. Last season the Mustangs recorded the same or had more rebounds than its opponents in 25 of 29 games and finished the season with a plus-4.6 rebound advantage per game. During the 2006-07 season, SMSU led the NSIC in rebound margin with a 5.5 advantage per game in 18 conference games.
Rebounding Key for SMSU Victories:?As noted in the information above, SMSU has been a strong rebounding team and is 46-12 when even or outrebounding its opponents since the start of the 2006-07 season, including 13-4 this season. During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure, SMSU?is 105-38 when tied or outrebounding its opponent but just 23-57 when being outrebounded.
SMSU's 4-0 Start Ties for Best in History:?SMSU's 4-0 start this season tied the school record for the best start to a season. The 1998-99 team also began the season perfect after four games but lost its fifth game of the season to Valley City State. SMSU's chance for a 5-0 start ended with a 78-74 loss to Augustana at the NSIC?HoopsFest in Sioux Falls, S.D. No team in school history has ever began a season 5-0.
Another Solid Start Statistic:?SMSU's 6-1 record to start this season tied the school record for the best start to a season after seven games. The 1974-75 and 2006-07 also started the season 6-1, but only the 2006-07 team won its eighth game of the season to improve to 7-1.
Mustangs Make R/A Home Sweet Home:?This season marks the 13th year that the R/A Facility has been the home arena for SMSU basketball and its proven to be a tough place for opponents to play in. SMSU?has compiled a record of 125-47 (.726) in 172 games and has had just one losing season in the arena. SMSU has recorded double figure victories in three straight seasons.
Year Overall NSIC Non-Conf.
1996-97 6-4 3-2 3-2
1997-98 8-5 4-2 4-3
1998-99 10-3 5-1 5-2
1999-00 12-3 7-2 5-1
2000-01 12-1 9-0 3-1
2001-02 12-2 7-2 5-0
2002-03 9-5 7-2 2-3
2003-04 9-5 5-3 4-2
2004-05 6-8 3-4 3-4
2005-06 10-5 3-4 7-1
2006-07 13-2 8-1 5-1
2007-08 12-2 7-2 5-0
2008-09 6-2 5-2 1-0
Totals 125-47 73-27 52-20
2008 Disney Classic Champions: SMSU won the second annual Disney West Coast Classic earlier this season in Anaheim, Calif., finishing with a 3-0 record. SMSU's three victories came against teams that advanced to last season's NCAA?tournament. Senior forward
Ross DeMasi was named Most Valuable Player while junior guard
Jon DeRock was named to the all-tournament team.
Mustangs Hit the Century Mark:?Southwest Minnesota State scored 103 points in a 103-52 victory over Humboldt State (Calif.) on Nov. 8 at the Disney Classic in Anaheim, Calif. It was the first time SMSU reached the 100 points scored mark since Dec. 2, 2003, and the 38th all-time. SMSU is now 32-6 in school history when scoring 100 points including 3-0 under head coach Greg Stemen.
SMSU Begins Season on the Road:?SMSU began the season with its first six games away from home marking the longest stretch of road or neutral site games to begin a season in school history. In fact the six games away from home is the longest stretch of road or neutral site games since the end of the 2000-01 season when SMSU?finished the year playing six straight neutral site games in the NSIC?and NCAA?tournament.
Kevin Andrews 08-09 Notes:?Ranks third on the team in scoring ... tied career-high with 23 points vs. Sioux Falls (12/30) ... has started all 20 games ... third on the team with 19 three-pointers ... third in assists with 42 ... has not missed a game in his career.
Andy Beilke 08-09 Notes:?Team co-captain ... averaging 7.4 points per game ... second on the team in three-pointers with 24 ... scored career-high 18 points vs. Mary (12/13) including hitting game-winning three-pointer.
Zach Bruns 08-09 Notes:?Has played in one game ... missed most of last season with an injury.
Trent Carlson 08-09 Notes:?Has played in six games scoring 23 points ... scored eight points with two three-pointers vs. Humboldt State ... redshirt in 2007-08.
Nick Dale 08-09 Notes:?Has started 10 games ... leads team with 20 blocked shots ... second on the team in rebounding with 5.0 ... scored career-high 18 points in win over St. Cloud State (1/16) ... recorded first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds vs. Minnesota State (12/6).
Ross DeMasi 08-09 Notes:?Named MVP?of Disney West Coast Classic ... leads team in rebounding with 9.9 per game ... has started all 20 games ... has four double-doubles this season and 11 in his career ... scored season-high 15 points vs. Minn., Crookston ... grabbed career-high 16 rebounds vs. Fort Lewis, South Dakota and Sioux Falls ... averaging team-high 28.8 minutes per game ... has grabbed double digit rebounds in eight games.
Jon DeRock 08-09 Notes:?Leads the team in scoring with 9.7 per game ... team leader with 38 three-pointers ... scored season-high 24 points vs. North Dakota connecting on seven three-pointers ... named to all-classic team at the Disney West Coast Classic.
Taylor Huseby 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 20 games with 10 starts ... scored career-high 22 points in win over St. Cloud State (1/16) ... shooting 53.1 percent from the field ... played career-high 30 minutes vs. Wayne State (1/24).
Ryan Krome 08-09 Notes:?Team co-captain ... has started all 20 games ... ranks sixth in school history in free throw shooting ... second on the team with 46 assists ... has not missed a game in his career.
Andrew Peschong 08-09 Notes:?Has started 14 games ... leads team with 70 assists ... fifth on the team in scoring with 6.7 per game ... scored career-high 20 points vs. Northwestern (12/3) ... dished out career-high eight assists vs. Minnesota State (12/6) and Mary (12/13).
Scott Roehl 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 20 games ... averaging 3.5 rebounds per game ... scored season-high 12 points on 4 of 4 shooting vs. Concordia (1/17) ... set career-high with nine rebounds vs. South Dakota (12/22).
Kevin Smith 08-09 Notes:?Has played in eight games scoring 14 points ... redshirt in 2007-08.
DeAnthony Zanders 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 20 games ... fourth on the team with 37 assists ... scored career-high nine points twice vs. Upper Iowa (11/30 & 1/10) ... transfer from Iowa Western C.C.
An R/A Facility First:?The Dec. 6 game between SMSU, ranked No. 24, and Minnesota?State, Mankato, ranked No. 8, was the first men's basketball game ever played at the R/A Facility between two teams ranked in the latest NABC Top 25 poll.
The 2008-09 Schedule: Southwest Minnesota State is playing one of its most challenging schedules in school history this season. SMSU is scheduled to play 30 regular season games, which includes playing in the Disney West Coast Classic. The Mustangs will play 13?games against teams that played in last year's NCAA?tournament or that are in transition to NCAA Division I. SMSU will also play one game versus NAIA?national tournament qualifier Northwestern College (Iowa).
SMSU Versus Nationally Ranked Opponents:? SMSU is 2-1 versus nationally ranked opponents this season defeating No. 24 Fort Lewis on Nov. 9 at the Disney Classic and No. 22 Augustana at home on Jan. 23. SMSU's lone loss was a home to No. 8 Minnesota State, Mankato on Dec. 6. Last season SMSU finished 1-5 versus Top 25 teams losing to No. 10 Southern Indiana, beating No. 14 St. Cloud State, before losing to No. 5 Winona State, No. 8 Northern State, No. 3 Winona State and to No. 4 Northern State. During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure as head coach SMSU is 3-23 versus nationally ranked teams.
SMSU Versus Division I?Competition:?SMSU is 2-7 all-time against NCAA?Division I?schools, after dropping a 73-69 road decision to South Dakota on Dec. 22. Earlier in the season SMSU earned a 78-73 road victory over North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D. SMSU and UND will play again on Feb. 3 in Marshall. SMSU's other win came during the 2004-05 season at South Dakota State (93-55). SMSU has played several Division I schools in exhibition play during the past five years including Northern Iowa, Drake, Minnesota and South Dakota State. SMSU defeated South Dakota State in an exhibition game this season 70-65 in Brookings, S.D.
SMSU Signs Three In Early Signing Period:?SMSU head coach Greg Stemen has announced that three high school standouts have signed letters of intent to play basketball for SMSU starting in 2009-10. The three players who signed during the early signing period include 6-4 forward Billy Giddings from Blaine, Minn., 6-10 center Deryck Ludwig from Prior Lake, Minn., and 6-2 guard Matt Zager from Shakopee, Minn.
Remembering AW: Southwest Minnesota State will be wearing the initials “AW” on the back of its uniforms this season following the death of former men's basketball player Andy Wiersma. Wiersma died in a car accident south of Marshall on July 27. Wiersma played at SMSU from 2001-06 and following his senior season the men's basketball program honored Wiersma by renaming its “Mustang Award” the “Andy Wiersma Mustang Award”. The award is given each year to an SMSU men's basketball player who exemplifies the qualities of being a Mustang men's basketball student-athlete.
Mustangs Finish High in NSIC Standings Again:?Southwest Minnesota State's third place finish in the NSIC?last season was its fifth top half finish in Greg Stemen's seven seasons as head coach. SMSU has finished second twice, third twice and fourth once during his tenure. SMSU has finished among the top four in the conference 11 times in the last 13 seasons.
Victory Total Sixth Best in History:?SMSU's 17 victories in 2007-08 is tied for the sixth most in one season in the school's history. SMSU has recorded seven seasons with 17 or more victories in the 41-year history of the program with four of them coming under the direction of head coach Greg Stemen.
SMSU in the Regional Poll:?Southwest Minnesota State was ranked in the NCAA North Central region rankings all six weeks during the 2007-08 season. SMSU was ranked 10th, 10th, 10th, 9th, 9th and 8th in the six polls before the regional tournament was announced.
History of the Program:?Southwest Minnesota State is in its 42nd season of men's basketball in 2008-09 and has played 1,129 games with an all-time record of 479-650. SMSU has racked up 16 winning seasons all-time with 10 coming in the last 13 years. The 2000-01 squad won a school record 28 games and captured the program's lone NSIC?championship, while also winning the NCAA?regional championship and advancing to the NCAA?Elite Eight.
SMSU Men's Basketball in NSIC Action:?The 2008-09 season marks the 40th year that SMSU men's basketball has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. SMSU has compiled an all-time record of 240-301 (.443) in 541 conference games finishing in the top half of the final conference standings 18 times in 39 seasons. SMSU has had much better success in the conference in recent years, having finished in the top half of the standings in 10 of the last 13 seasons and has recorded a conference record of 133-78 (.630) in 211 games since the 1995-96 season.
Internet Radio, Video & Stats: All SMSU?men's basketball games during the 2008-09 season can be seen and heard on the Internet. A video Webcast is available for all home games and conference games free of charge at www.northernsun.tv while the radio broadcast is available at www.SMSUmustangs.com. Fans can also follow the game on the Internet with live in-game statistics for all home games at www.SMSUmustangs.com and clicking on the “live stats”?link on the right side of the men's basketball page.
Radio Broadcasts:?SMSU?men's basketball will once again be heard all season long on KARL 105.1 FM, Marshall. Sports director Aaron Ziemer will handle the play-by-play for a sixth straight season.
