Complete Release (PDF)
This Week: The 2009 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference champion and ninth-ranked Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (25-5, 17-3 NSIC), winners of 15 in a row and 18 its last 19, opens the 2009 postseason hosting Northern State University (18-9, 11-9 NSIC) in the quarterfinals of the NSIC/Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at the R/A Facility. The 15-game winning streak is the sixth longest active streak in NCAA Division II this season.
Southwest Minnesota State, which clinched the NSIC regular season championship outright with a victory over Northern State on Saturday night, won its first conference title in eight years and just the second in the 42-year history of the program.
SMSU and NSU will be meeting for the third time this season with each team winning on its home court. Northern State earned a 50-45 win in Aberdeen, S.D., on Dec. 12, before SMSU picked up the 66-51 victory this past Saturday in Marshall.
If SMSU defeats NSU on Wednesday, it will host the semifinals and finals of the conference tournament on Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8.
NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament
Wednesday, March 4
No. 8 Northern State at No. 1 SMSU, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Augustana at No. 3 St. Cloud State, 7 p.m.
No. 5 Minnesota Duluth at No. 4 Minnesota State, 8 p.m.
No. 7 Concordia at No. 2 Winona State, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 7
(played at highest remaining seed)
No. 8/No. 1 winner vs. No. 5/No. 4 winner, 2/4 p.m.
No. 7/No. 2 winner vs. No. 6/No. 3 winner, 2/4 p.m.
Sunday, March 8
Championship game, 2 p.m.
Hosting an NSIC Tournament Game Once Again: Wednesday night's game will be the eight time in the 10-year history of the NSIC tournament that SMSU has hosted a quarterfinal game. SMSU is 6-1 in home quarterfinal games with its only first round loss coming during the 2003 tournament versus MSU Moorhead.
All-Time in the NSIC Tournament: SMSU is 9-9 all-time in the NSIC tournament, which includes three championship game appearances. SMSU advanced to the title game in 2001, 2002 and 2007 but has never won the tournament championship.
Mustangs Finish High in NSIC Standings Again: Southwest Minnesota State's first place finish in the NSIC was its sixth top half finish in Greg Stemen's eight seasons as head coach. SMSU has now finished first, second twice, third twice and fourth once during his tenure. SMSU has finished among the top four in the conference standings 12 times in the last 14 seasons.
15-Game Winning Streak Sixth Best in Country:?SMSU's current 15-game winning streak ranks as the sixth longest active streak in NCAA?II?this season.
NCAA II Active Winning Streaks
27, Findlay
24, LIU-C.W. Post
20, BYU-Hawaii
17, West Virginia State
16, Metro State
15, Southwest Minnesota State
NCAA Regional Rankings:?SMSU was ranked first in the latest NCAA Central Region rankings released on Feb. 25. It is the fourth 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, March 4. (See complete poll on page 1)
SMSU?No. 9 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, Feb. 24. It's the fifth week 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)
SMSU Stats During Winning Streak:?SMSU has put together some impressive statistics during its current 15-game winning streak, especially on the defensive end. During the streak, opponents are averaging just 56.3 points per game and SMSU is forcing an average of 16.4 turnovers per game. SMSU has held teams to under 60 points in nine of the past 15 victories.
About Southwest Minnesota State: The Mustangs are 25-5 overall and finished the NSIC season with a 17-3 record. SMSU is coming off a 66-51 home win over Northern State on Saturday night. The Mustangs shot just 36.1 percent from the field, but held a 40-31 rebound advantage and forced 20 NSU turnovers which led to 28 SMSU points.
Ryan Krome led SMSU?with 13 points, while
Ross DeMasi added a game-high 10 rebounds.
Senior forward
Ross DeMasi leads SMSU in both scoring (8.9) and rebounding (9.2) this season, while also shooting a team-high 54.5 percent from the field. Junior forward
Kevin Andrews ranks tied for first in steals (31), second on the team in scoring (8.8) and is third in both assists (58) and three-pointers (29). Junior guard
Andrew Peschong is the team leader in assists with 88. SMSU is averaging 72.8 points per game, while allowing 61.7, and is outrebounding opponents an average of 8.7 per game.
Mustang Minutes: SMSU finished the conference season (NSIC games only) ranked first?in scoring defense (60.0), rebound margin (+7.0), turnover margin (+4.3) and three-point field goal pct. defense (.326), while ranking second in steals (8.15) and scoring margin (+10.1) ... senior
Ross DeMasi finished the conference season ranked second in the conference in rebounding (8.2), while sophomore
Taylor Huseby finished eighth in field goal pct. (.556) ... seniors
Ryan Krome (118),
Ross DeMasi (114) and
Andy Beilke (101) are three of just 19 Mustang players all-time to appear in 100 career games ... Krome became the 13th player in school history to reach 200 career assists in the win over UND on Feb. 3, and now has 216 ... junior
Andrew Peschong ranks eighth in school history with 242 assists ... DeMasi is fourth all-time at SMSU?in rebounds with 699 ... SMSU has won 15 games away from Marshall this season after recording just five road or neutral site victories all of last season ... senior
Ross DeMasi has recorded 12 double figure rebounding games this season, including three games with 16 rebounds ... SMSU has made more three-pointers than its opponents in 18 of 29 games.
About Northern State: The Wolves, 18-9 overall, finished 11-9 in the NSIC, and are currently on a four-game losing streak. NSU was ranked No. 8 in the latest NCAA regional rankings released on Feb. 25. Senior forward Kevin Ratzsch, the preseason NSIC?player of the year, leads NSU?in nearly every offensive category. He ranks first in scoring (21.4), rebounding (7.3) and field goal pct. (.528). Junior guard Mitch Boeck is averaging 13.2 ppg and has connected on a team-high 75 three-pointers. Junior center Robert Thomas ranks third in scoring (11.9) and second in rebounding (6.5). NSU is averaging 74 points per game, while allowing 67.9 and holds a plus-3.5 rebound advantage per game over its opponents. NSU?head coach Don Meyer is in his 10th season with a record of 207-88. He is in his 37th season overall with a record of 909-308.
The Series Match-Up: Southwest Minnesota State and Northern State meet for the 77th time with NSU leading 54-22, including a record of 21-14 in games played in Marshall. SMSU's win over NSU on Saturday snapped a four-game losing streak to the Wolves dating back to 2007. This will be the sixth match-up all-time between the two teams in the NSIC?tournament with SMSU leading 3-2, including 1-0 in games played in Marshall.
SMSU/NSU Scores in NSIC Tournament
99-00 W, 79-67 Marshall
01-02 W, 77-70 St. Paul
04-05 L, 83-94 Aberdeen
06-07 W, 82-63 Winona
07-08 L, 70-74 Winona
(Series information and all-time scores on page 2)
Twenty-Win Season The Fourth All-Time:?SMSU's 25 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 25 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 15: SMSU's current 15-game winning streak ranks 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 15-3 this season in 18 road and neutral site games. The 15 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 11-2 in road games this season, setting a school record for road victories and is the first Mustang squad to have a winning record on the road since the 2002-03 season (7-5).
Record After 30 Games: SMSU's 25-5 record after 30 games ties the 2000-01 team with the best record after 30 games in school history. The 2000-01 team also was 25-5 following 30 games, but lost its 31st game, before finishing 28-7 and winning the NSIC?and NCAA?regional championships.
Free Throw Shooting Improving: SMSU is shooting 67.6 percent from the free throw line this season ranking 154th in the country (through games March 1). 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 14 of its last 18 games and in six of the last 15 games the Mustangs have shot 81 percent or better. SMSU has made 146 of 200 (.730) free throws in its last seven games.
NCAA National?Stats: Southwest Minnesota State ranks high once again in this week's NCAA?II?national statistics. As a team, SMSU is eighth in turnovers (11.4), ninth in rebound margin (8.7), 15th in scoring defense (61.7), 26th in turnover margin (3.2) and 33rd in scoring margin (11.1). Individually, senior
Ross DeMasi ranks 24th in rebounds per game (9.2). 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 Season: One of the keys to SMSU's 25-5 record this season has been its tremendous depth and great play by its non-starters. Nine of 10 players have appeared in all 30 games this season (
Jon DeRock missed two games with injury) and all 10 players are averaging over 14 minutes per game. Mustang non-starters are averaging 31.5 points per game compared to just 17.3 by their opponents. The SMSU bench has outscored its opponents' bench players in 28 of 30 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 .425 .377 .649 17.4 31.5
Opp. .418 .320 .727 14.2 17.3
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 106-18 overall, including 24-1 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 313 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 .456 .273 .691 4.7 10.2 1.4
Opp. .443 .290 .762 4.2 10.2 1.8
Mustangs Home and Away:?SMSU is 10-2 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 15-3 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 10-2 .435 .333 .732 38.7 74.9 11.3
Away 15-3 .438 .357 .632 40.6 71.4 11.5
DeMasi Moving Up Rebound List: Senior forward
Ross DeMasi has grabbed 276 rebounds this season ranking as the fourth highest total in one season in school history. He is three rebounds shy of moving into third all-time on the single-season list. DeMasi's 9.2 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. 276
Ross DeMasi - 2008-09
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 55,7 percent (291 of 522), fourth in rebounds with 699, tied for ninth in blocked shots with 52 and tied for seventh in games played with 114.
SMSU All-Time Rebounds
1. 848 Frank Belmont - 1971-75
2. 717 Mike Tobin - 1982-86
3. 713 Mike Lang - 1968-72
4. 699
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. .557
Ross DeMasi (291-522) - 2005-09
Krome All-Time at the Line:?Senior
Ryan Krome ranks seventh in school history for career free throw percentage at 80.5 percent (211 of 262).
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
7. .805
Ryan Krome (211-262) - 2005-09
Peschong Moving Up in Assists: Junior
Andrew Peschong is now eighth in school history with 242 career assists. He trails Juan Mitchell for seventh all-time by three 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. 242
Andrew Peschong - 2006-09
Mustangs On the Boards Strong Again: SMSU has outrebounded its opponents in 25 of 30 games and have a plus-8.7 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 54-12 when even or outrebounding its opponents since the start of the 2006-07 season, including 21-4 this season. During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure, SMSU?is 113-38 when tied or outrebounding its opponent but just 25-57 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 129-47 (.732) in 176 games and has had just one losing season in the arena. SMSU has recorded double figure victories in four 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 10-2 8-2 2-0
Totals 129-47 76-27 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 ... scored season-high 21 points vs. Sioux Falls (12/30) ... has started all 30 games ... third on the team with 29 three-pointers ... third in assists with 58 ... 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 30 games with eight starts ... averaging 7.9 points per game ... second on the team in three-pointers with 35 ... 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 10 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 30 games with 10 starts ... leads team with 31 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 (8.9) and scoring (9.2) ... has started all 30 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 27.9 minutes per game ... has grabbed double digit rebounds in 12 games.
Jon DeRock 08-09 Notes:?Fourth on the team in scoring with 8.0 per game ... has played in 28 of 30 games (missed two games 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 30 games with 20 starts ... scored career-high 22 points in win over St. Cloud State (1/16) ... shooting 54.3 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 30 games ... ranks seventh in school history in free throw shooting ... second on the team with 65 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 30 games, starting 14 ... leads team with 88 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 30 games ... averaging 3.6 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 12 games scoring 17 points ... redshirt in 2007-08.
DeAnthony Zanders 08-09 Notes:?Has played in all 30 games ... fourth on the team with 52 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.
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 1,139 games with an all-time record of 489-650. 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 249-301 (.452) in 550 conference games finishing in the top half of the final conference standings 19 times in 40 seasons (including this year). 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 142-78 (.645) in 220 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.
