Complete Release (PDF):
This Week: The No. 14 Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (23-5, 15-3 NSIC), winners of 13 in a row and 16 its last 17, continues Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Wednesday, Feb. 25 with a road match-up versus Wayne State College (10-15, 6-12 NSIC) beginning at 8 p.m. at WSC's Rice Auditorium.
Southwest Minnesota State begins the week in first place in the NSIC standings, holding a one-game lead over Winona State. SMSU can clinch at least a share of its second NSIC championship in school history with a victory on Wednesday or a Winona State loss at Upper Iowa. SMSU's only other NSIC title came during the 2000-01 season.
SMSU was also ranked No. 1 in the latest NCAA Central Region rankings that were released on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The next regional rankings will be released on Feb. 25.
Following Wednesday's game, SMSU will conclude the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28 at home versus Northern State.
NCAA Regional Rankings: SMSU was ranked first in the latest NCAA Central Region rankings released on Feb. 18. It was the third straight week SMSU has been ranked No. 1. 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. The next regional poll will be released on Wednesday, Feb. 25. (See complete poll on page 1)
SMSU No. 14 in NABC Top 25: SMSU moved up five spots and is ranked No. 14 in this week's NABC/Division II Top 25 national poll announced on Tuesday. It's the fifth time the Mustangs have been ranked this season. SMSU was ranked No. 19 in the Nov. 25 ranking, No. 24 on Dec. 2, No. 24 on Feb. 11 and No. 19 on Feb. 17. The No. 14 ranking is SMSU's highest since being ranked No. 9 in the final 2000-01 regular season poll.
SMSU has now been in the national poll 13 weeks in school history, including seven weeks in 2000-01 and one week in 2001-02. (See complete poll on page 3)
About Southwest Minnesota State: The Mustangs are 23-5 overall, 15-3 NSIC, following a 75-61 road victory over second place Minnesota State, Mankato on Saturday.
Ryan Krome and
Taylor Huseby each scored 14 points for the Mustangs, while Krome tied a career-high with eight rebounds. The SMSU defense was strong limiting MSU to a season-low 61 points and a season-low 31.7 percent shooting.
Senior forward
Ross DeMasi leads SMSU in both scoring (9.1) and rebounding (9.3) this season, while also shooting a team-high 56 percent from the field. Junior forward
Kevin Andrews ranks first in steals (29), second on the team in scoring (8.9) and is third in both assists (53) and three-pointers (27). Junior guard
Andrew Peschong is the team leader in assists with 86. SMSU is averaging 73.8 points per game, while allowing 62.5, and is outrebounding opponents an average of 9.1 per game.
Mustang Minutes: SMSU begins the week ranked first in the NSIC?(conf. games only) in scoring defense (60.9), rebound margin (+7.4) and turnover margin (+3.67) and ranks second in steals (8.28) and scoring margin (+10.2) ... senior
Ross DeMasi begins the week ranked second in the conference in rebounding (8.3) and tied for fifth in field goal pct. (.566) ...?sophomore
Taylor Huseby is tied for fifth in field goal pct. (.566) ... seniors
Ryan Krome (116) and
Ross DeMasi (112) are two of just 18 Mustang players all-time to appear in 100 career games ... senior
Andy Beilke will become the 19th player to reach the century mark on Wednesday at Wayne State ... Krome became the 13th player in school history to reach 200 career assists in the win over UND on Feb. 3, and now has 213 ... junior
Andrew Peschong ranks eighth in school history with 240 assists ... DeMasi is fourth all-time at SMSU?in rebounds with 684 ... SMSU has won 14 games away from Marshall this season after recording just five road or neutral site victories all of last season ... senior
Ross DeMasi has recorded 11 double figure rebounding games this season, including three games with 16 rebounds ... SMSU has made more three-pointers than its opponents in 18 of 28 games.
About Wayne State: The Wildcats, 10-15 overall, 6-12 NSIC, are riding a two-game winning streak and are currently tied for ninth place in the NSIC. The two victories last weekend for WSC?snapped a seven-game losing streak. Senior forward Jonathon Thomas leads the team in scoring (14.4) and is second in rebounding (7.1). Thomas is 15 points shy of becoming the 30th Wildcat player in history to score 1,000 career points. Junior center Brian Metz is second in scoring (13.6) and leads the team in both rebounding (7.8) and field goal pct. (.680). Metz is ranked seventh in the country in field goal pct. WSC?ranks 50th in the country in rebound margin (5.4) and 74th in scoring defense (67.5). WSC?head coach Rico Burkett is in his ninth season with a record of 110-137.
The Series Match-Up: Southwest Minnesota State and Wayne State meet for the 50th time with WSC leading 34-15, including a dominating 20-2 in games played in Wayne, Neb. SMSU's only two wins in Wayne came during the 2001-02 and 2005-06 seasons. SMSU has won six of the last eight overall meetings including 49-41 earlier this season on Jan. 24 in Marshall. In the first match-up, SMSU rallied from a 24-18 halftime deficit by limiting WSC to just 17 second half points and six field goals. The Mustangs shot just 29.2 percent in the first half and committed 18 turnovers in the game. The SMSU defense forced 22 WSC?turnovers held the Wildcats to 31.6 percent shooting in the second half.
Kevin Andrews led SMSU with a game-high 14 points, while
Andy Beilke added 10 points off the bench. Jonathon Thomas with 12 points
(Series information and all-time scores on page 2)
DeMasi Moving Up Rebound List: Senior forward
Ross DeMasi has grabbed 261 rebounds this season ranking as the fifth highest total in one season in school history. He is four rebounds shy of moving into fourth all-time on the single-season list. DeMasi's 9.3 rebounds per game also ranks sixth in the single-season record book.
Single-Season Rebounds
1. 313 Juan Mitchell - 1986-87
2. 300 Sam Leggett - 1975-76
3. 279 Frank Belmont - 1972-73
4. 265 Scott Koenen - 2000-01
5. 261
Ross DeMasi - 2008-09
Twenty-Win Season The Fourth All-Time:?SMSU's 23 victories so far this season marks the fourth time in school history that a Mustang team has reached 20 victories in a season and the third time under head coach Greg Stemen. The 23 wins is the second most in one season in the program's 42-year history. The 2000-01 squad holds the school record with 28 wins.
Winning Streak Reaches 10: SMSU is currently on a 13-game winning streak ranking as the second longest win streak in school history. The school record is 17 straight victories set by the 2000-01 squad.
Winning Away From Home:?SMSU is a combined 14-3 this season in 16 road and neutral site games. The 14 victories ranks as the second most road/neutral site victories in a single season in school history. The 2000-01 team holds the school record with 16 total victories (10 away/six neutral) away from Marshall. SMSU?is 10-2 in road games this season and is the first Mustang squad to have a winning record on the road since the 2002-03 season (7-5). If SMSU?wins at Wayne State on Wednesday, it would set a school record for road wins in a season.
Record After 28 Games: SMSU's 23-5 record after 28 games ties the 2000-01 team with the best record after 28 games in school history. The 2000-01 team would eventually push its record to 25-5, before finishing 28-7 and winning the NSIC?and NCAA?regional championships.
Free Throw Shooting Improving: SMSU is shooting 67.7 percent from the free throw line this season ranking 150th in the country (through games Feb. 22). 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 13 of its last 16 games and in six of the last 15 games the Mustangs have shot 81 percent or better. SMSU has made 115 of 153 (.752) free throws in its last six games.
NCAA National?Stats: Southwest Minnesota State ranks high once again in this week's NCAA?II?national statistics. As a team, SMSU is sixth in rebound margin (9.0), 10th in turnovers (11.8), 19th in scoring defense (62.5), 34th in scoring margin (11.3) and 39th in turnover margin (2.7). Individually, senior
Ross DeMasi ranks 24th in rebounds per game (9.3), while junior
Andrew Peschong ranks 43rd in assist/turnover margin (2.02). For a complete list at where SMSU and Mustang individuals rank in the NSIC?and NCAA?stats, see page 5 of release.
Never a Doubt: Southwest Minnesota State's 51-point victory over Humboldt State (Calif.) this year was the second largest margin of victory for SMSU?during head coach Greg Stemen's tenure. Below is a list of the top five margins of victory during his tenure:
Opponent Score Margin
Minnesota-Morris, 2002-03 93-40 +53
Humboldt State, 2008-09 103-52 +51
Bemidji State, 2006-07 86-43 +43
Bemidji State, 2006-07 87-45 +42
Minnesota-Morris, 2001-02 101-59 +42
SMSU Versus Nationally Ranked Opponents:? SMSU is 3-1 versus nationally ranked opponents this season defeating No. 24 Fort Lewis on Nov. 9 at the Disney Classic, No. 22 Augustana at home on Jan. 23 and at No. 15 Minnesota State Mankato on Feb. 21. 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. During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure SMSU is 5-23 versus nationally ranked teams.
Mustang Bench Key to Start: One of the keys to SMSU's 23-5 record this season has been its tremendous depth and great play by its non-starters. Nine of 10 players have appeared in all 28 games this season (
Jon DeRock missed one game with injury) and all 10 are averaging over 14 minutes per game. Mustang non-starters are averaging 32 points per game compared to just 17.8 by their opponents. The SMSU bench has outscored its opponents' bench players in 26 of 28 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 .428 .384 .653 17.5 32.0
Opp. .427 .342 .754 14.3 17.8
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 104-18 overall, including 22-1 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 311 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 .459 .293 .680 4.8 10.3 1.5
Opp. .448 .291 .774 4.2 10.4 1.8
Mustangs Home and Away:?SMSU is 9-2 at home this year after?finishing 12-2 at home last season and setting a school record with 13 victories in 2006-07. SMSU is a solid 14-3 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 9-2 .442 .333 .733 38.5 75.7 11.6
Away 14-3 .442 .361 .634 41.0 72.5 11.8
Krome All-Time at the Line:?Senior
Ryan Krome ranks sixth in school history for career free throw percentage at 81 percent (205 of 253).
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. .810
Ryan Krome (205-253) - 2005-09
DeMasi Climbing Record Books: Senior
Ross DeMasi ranks among the top 10 in four categories in the SMSU career record book. He is currently third all-time in field goal percentage at 56.4 percent (287 of 509), fourth in rebounds with 684, tied for ninth in blocked shots with 52 and tied for ninth in games played with 112.
SMSU All-Time Rebounds
1. 848 Frank Belmont - 1971-75
2. 717 Mike Tobin - 1982-86
3. 713 Mike Lang - 1968-72
4. 684
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. .564
Ross DeMasi (287-509) - 2005-09
Peschong Moving Up in Assists: Junior
Andrew Peschong is now eighth in school history with 240 career assists. He trails Juan Mitchell for seventh all-time by five 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. 240
Andrew Peschong - 2006-09
Mustangs On the Boards Strong Again: SMSU has outrebounded its opponents in 24 of 28 games and have a plus-9.1 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 53-12 when even or outrebounding its opponents since the start of the 2006-07 season, including 20-4 this season. During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure, SMSU?is 112-38 when tied or outrebounding its opponent but just 24-57 when being outrebounded.
Andrews Earns Academic Honor:?Junior
Kevin Andrews was named on Feb. 5 to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team. He is the only NCAA Division II?player on either the first or second team. District V consists of student-athletes from NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools from the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. Sports information directors in the district select the all-academic team. Andrews, who carries a 3.85 GPA, was a third team honore last season.
A 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 128-47 (.731) in 175 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 9-2 7-2 2-0
Totals 128-47 75-27 53-20
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 Began the 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 second on the team in scoring ... tied career-high with 23 points vs. Sioux Falls (12/30) ... has started all 28 games ... third on the team with 27 three-pointers ... third in assists with 55 ... has not missed a game in his career ... two-time Academic All-District honoree.
Andy Beilke 08-09 Notes:?Team co-captain ... has played in all 28 games with six starts ... averaging 7.9 points per game ... second on the team in three-pointers with 34 ... 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 two seasons with an injury.
Trent Carlson 08-09 Notes:?Has played in nine games scoring 26 points ... scored eight points with two three-pointers vs. Humboldt State ... redshirt in 2007-08.
Nick Dale 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 28 games with 10 starts ... leads team with 29 blocked shots ... second on the team in rebounding with 4.6 ... scored career-high 18 points in wins over St. Cloud State (1/16) and North Dakota (2/3) ... 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 (9.3) and scoring (9.1) ... has started all 28 games ... has five double-doubles this season and 12 in his career ... scored season-high 19 points vs. Concordia (2/14) ... grabbed career-high 16 rebounds vs. Fort Lewis, South Dakota and Sioux Falls ... averaging team-high 28.1 minutes per game ... has grabbed double digit rebounds in 11 games.
Jon DeRock 08-09 Notes:?Fourth on the team in scoring with 8.1 per game ... has played in 27 of 28 games (missed one game with injury) ... team leader with 42 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 28 games with 18 starts ... scored career-high 22 points in win over St. Cloud State (1/16) ... shooting 54.9 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 28 games ... ranks sixth in school history in free throw shooting ... second on the team with 62 assists ... scored career-high 23 points vs. St. Cloud State (2/13) ... has not missed a game in his career.
Andrew Peschong 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 28 games, starting 14 ... leads team with 86 assists ... 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 28 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 11 games scoring 17 points ... redshirt in 2007-08.
DeAnthony Zanders 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 28 games ... tied for fourth on the team with 48 assists ... fifth on team with 15 three-pointers ... scored career-high 11 points twice vs. MSU?Moorhead (2/6) ... 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.
SMSU Signs Three In Early Signing Period:?SMSU head coach Greg Stemen announced that three high school standouts 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.
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.
SMSU Versus Division I?Competition:?SMSU is now 3-7 all-time against NCAA?Division I?school, including 2-1 this season, after defeating North Dakota 77-64 on Feb. 3. SMSU dropped a 73-69 road decision earlier this season to South Dakota on Dec. 22, while earlier in the season earned a 78-73 road victory over North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D., on Nov. 18. SMSU's other Division I?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.
History of the Program:?Southwest Minnesota State is in its 42nd season of men's basketball in 2008-09 and has played 1,137 games with an all-time record of 487-650. SMSU has racked up 17 winning seasons all-time with 11 coming in the last 14 years (including this season). 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 247-301 (.450) in 548 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 11 of the last 14 seasons (including this season) and has recorded a conference record of 140-78 (.642) in 218 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.
