THIS WEEK - The Southwest Minnesota State University (2-3, 0-0 NSIC) men's basketball team opens its 22-game Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule this Saturday with a road game versus the University of Sioux Falls (3-1, 0-0 NSIC) at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. Game time is set for 6 p.m. Following Saturday's game, SMSU returns home to play Augustana (Dec. 6) and Wayne State (Dec. 7). It will be the Mustangs' first home games since Nov. 9-10.
SMSU IN NSIC OPENERS - SMSU is 8-5 in conference openers since the 2000-01 season. Last season SMSU defeated Sioux Falls 70-60 in Marshall. The last time SMSU opened conference play on the road was on Dec. 2, 2011, losing 83-66 to Augustana.
SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC - This season marks the 45th year that SMSU men's basketball has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. SMSU has an all-time record of 296-340 in 636 conference games, finishing in the top half of the final standings 22 times in 44 seasons. SMSU has finished in the top half of the NSIC standings in 13 of the last 16 seasons since 1997-98.
BUSY WEEK FOR COACH BIGLER - SMSU head coach
Brad Bigler has had busy week on and off the court. On Monday, Brad and his wife, Heather, welcomed Tatum Diane Bigler into the world. Tatum was born weighing seven pounds, 15 ounces.
