THIS WEEKEND - The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (8-9, 4-8 NSIC) returns home this weekend for a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games at the R/A Facility. SMSU will face Minnesota State University (13-5, 8-4 NSIC) on Friday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m., before taking on Concordia-St. Paul (6-12, 3-9 NSIC) on Saturday, Jan. 23, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. SMSU will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak to MSU and a two-game losing skid to CSP.

    BROADCAST INFO - Both games can be heard on 105.1 FM KARL. Live stats and webcast can be found at SMSUmustangs.com

    GAME DAY STORYLINES -
•SMSU opponents have made 10 or more 3-pointers in five of the last six games and eight times overall this season.
•Junior Drew Osmundson recorded career-highs in rebounds (7) and assists (7) in the loss at MSU Moorhead on Saturday.
•SMSU's 115 points allowed at MSU Moorhead last Saturday is tied for the sixth highest allowed in a game in team history.
•MSU Moorhead shot 65 percent on Saturday night, which is the highest by an SMSU opponent this season.
•SMSU has outrebounded its opponents in 13 of 17 games this season and were tied in three other games.
•SMSU has shot 50 percent or higher in eight of 17 games this season and has shot 50 percent or higher in 15 of 34 halves.
•SMSU's current five-game losing streak is its longest this season.
•SMSU has allowed 80 or more points in seven of its 12 NSIC games.
•SMSU has trailed at halftime in 12 of 17 games this season.
•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler recorded his 100th career victory on Dec. 5 at Upper Iowa. His 103 victories ranks second in program history. Greg Stemen (2001-09) is the all-time leader with 141 victories.
•Junior Mitch Weg ranks first in school history in career field goal pct. (57.5, 288 of 501).
•Sophomore MJ Delmore ranks first in school history in career 3-point field goal pct. (48.5, 66 of 136).
•Following its loss at No. 10 Augustana on Jan. 16, SMSU is now 3-23 all-time versus Top 25 opponents since Brad Bigler became head coach in 2009-10.  

    SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS - SMSU ranks high in several categories in the latest Division II stats (through Jan. 17). SMSU ranks 39th field goal pct. (48.4), 61st in rebound margin (4.4) and 64th in assists (256). Mitch Weg ranks 25th in offensive rebounds (3.35), while Ryan Bruggeman ranks 91st in total assists (68). A complete listing of the NCAA stats are found on page 16.

    SMSU IN THE NSIC STATS - In the conference stats (NSIC games only), SMSU ranks fifth in field goal pct., fifth in rebounding, eighth in scoring, 12th in free throw pct., 15th in scoring defense, 15th in 3-point field goal pct. and 15th in 3-point field goal pct. defense. Carter Kirk is third in field goal pct., Ryan Bruggeman is fifth in assists per game and eighth in steals, while Mitch Weg ranks 12th in rebounding. A complete listing of the NSIC stats are found on page 14-15.

    SERIES HISTORY -     Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota State meet for the 53rd time in a series that started during the 1969-70 season. MSU leads the overall series 39-13 and has won the last seven meetings in the series. SMSU's last win in the series came on Feb. 25, 2012, in Mankato (79-71). MSU leads 21-7 in games played in Marshall, including winning the last three. SMSU's last win at home was on Jan. 7, 2012. MSU holds an 12-5 series lead since joining the NSIC in 2008-09. SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 3-11 versus MSU.  
    Southwest Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul meet for the 34th time in a series dating back to 1980-81 with SMSU leading 24-9. CSP won both games last season, snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series dating back to Dec. 12, 2010. SMSU holds a 14-3 advantage in games played in Marshall, including winning the last four games. CSP's win last season in Marshall was its first since Jan. 16, 2010. SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 7-5 versus CSP.
    A complete game-by-game of each series can be found on pages 18-19.

    HEAD COACH BRAD BIGLER - Brad Bigler is in his seventh season as head coach at SMSU and has compiled a record of 103-89, including 73-69 in NSIC play. He earned his 100th career victory on Dec. 5 at Upper Iowa. The 100 victories ranks second all-time in team history. The 2012-13 NSIC Coach of the Year, Bigler has led SMSU to four winning seasons, including a pair of 19-win seasons during his six seasons. In 2011-12, SMSU won 19 games, captured the NSIC tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the third time in program history. SMSU's 11th head coach, Bigler spent six seasons (2003-09) as an assistant coach at SMSU, including the last three as associate head coach. Bigler, 36, played at SMSU from 1997-2002 and finished his career as one of the winningest players in school history, compiling a record of 83-36 during his four-year playing career. He was a member of SMSU's 2001 NSIC and NCAA region championship team and ended his career appearing in 118 games and currently ranks sixth in school history with 286 assists. Bigler's complete bio is found on page 17.

    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE - Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend on a five-game losing streak, its longest of the season. SMSU suffered road losses last weekend to Northern State, 79-63, and to No. 10 MSU Moorhead, 115-82. NSU and MSUM combined to connect on 27 3-pointers in the two games, while SMSU made 12. Mitch Weg led SMSU with 15 points in the loss to NSU on Friday night, while in the loss to MSUM, Weg and Joey Bartlett each scored 17 points to pace the Mustangs. Drew Osmundson dished out a career-high seven assists and had a career-high seven rebounds in the loss to MSUM. For the season, SMSU is averaging 77 ppg, shooting 48 percent from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range, 72 percent from the free throw line and hold a +4.4 rebound margin. SMSU opponents are averaging 81 ppg and shooting 49 percent from the field.

      ABOUT MINNESOTA STATE - The Mavericks are 13-5 overall, 8-4 NSIC, are coming off an 82-66 road win over Concordia-St. Paul on Tuesday night. Sophomore forward Alex Herink scored a career-high 27 points on 9 of 13 shooting in the win. His previous career-high in scoring was 11 points. Senior guard Jalen Pendleton leads the Mavericks averaging 15.1 ppg and has a team-high 91 assists. Junior forward Jon Fuqua is averaging 13.2 ppg and a team-leading 6.8 rebounds per game, while freshman guard Joey Witthus is scoring 11.8 ppg with a team-leading 50 3-pointers. MSU is averaging 83 ppg, shooting 47 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range, 70 percent from the free throw line and is a plus-5.7 in rebound margin. MSU opponents are averaging 74 ppg and shooting 43 percent from the field. Minnesota State head coach Matt Margenthaler is in his 14th season with a record of 321-128.

    ABOUT CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL - The Golden Bears are 6-12 overall, 3-9 NSIC, had their season long three-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday with an 82-66 home loss to Minnesota State. CSP will play at the University of Sioux Falls on Friday. Senior guard Cole Olstad, who scored a team-high 24 points in the loss to MSU, averages a team-high 13.9 ppg and also leads the team with 34 3-pointers and 48 assists. He ranks seventh on the CSP career scoring list with 1,296 points. Senior forward Shea Mandli is scoring 11.2 ppg with 5.8 rpg, while freshman guard Bryndan Matthews averages 10.8 ppg with 5.6 rpg. CSP is averaging 72 ppg, shooting 42 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, 72 percent from the free throw line and is a plus-2.9 in rebound margin. CSP opponents are averaging 78 ppg and shooting 45 percent from the field. CSP head coach Joey James is in his second season with a record of 25-23. He was also head coach at the University of South Dakota for one season in 2013-14.

    JOEY BARTLETT NOTES - Has started all 17 games ... averaging 11.4 ppg and 4.9 rpg, ranking second on the team in both categories ... third on the team with 15 3-pointers ... scored a season-high 27 points at Fort Hays State (11/14) ... led the team in scoring last season with 13.8 ppg ... tied for team-lead with 58 3-pointers ...  scored double figures in 19 games ... older brother of teammate Kolin.

    KOLIN BARTLETT NOTES - Has played in two games ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season ... younger brother of teammate Joey.

    RYAN BRUGGEMAN NOTES - Has started all 17 games ... averaging 8.2 ppg ... scored game-winning shot with 4.5 seconds remaining versus Minot State (12/12) ... leads team with 68 assists ... season-high eight assists vs. Minot State (12/12) ... has five or more assists in seven games ... scored career-high 22 points on 8 of 12 shooting vs. Northern State (11/19) ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season.

    SHAUN CONDON NOTES - Has played in all 17 games with 16 starts ... averaging 6.5 ppg ... fourth on the team with 13 3-pointers ... scored season-high 14 points vs. Northern State (11/19) ... played in just three games in 2014-15 due to an injury ... led team in 2013-14 with 39 3-pointers and shot 43.8 percent from 3-point range, ranking eighth best in team history.

    MJ DELMORE NOTES - Has played in all 17 games ... averaging 5.5 ppg ... scored 12 points vs. U-Mary (12/11) and Minot State (12/12) ... ranks first in school history in career 3-point field goal pct. (48.5, 66 of 136) ...  played in 29 games with 17 starts in 2014-15 ... averaged 8.9 ppg ... had 12 double figure scoring games ... led team with 77 assists.

    CARTER KIRK NOTES - Has played in all 17 games ... averaging 9.1 ppg and 4.7 rpg ... scored career-high 19 points on 9 of 10 shooting vs. Minot State (12/12) ... first career double-double vs. Winona State (1/9) ... has five or more rebounds in nine games ... one of two true freshman to play in 2014-15 ... played in all 29 games with 15 starts ... averaged 8.2 ppg and ranked second on the team with 5.4 rpg.

    MICHAEL LEE NOTES - Has played in all 17 games with 14 starts ... averaging 4.0 ppg and 2.8 rpg ... scored season-high nine points vs. Sioux Falls (12/19) ... career-high six rebounds vs. Upper Iowa (1/8) ... only true freshman to play this season.

    JAKE MAIERS NOTES - Has played in two games and has scored four points ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season.

    TURNER MOEN NOTES - Has played in 17 games with three starts ... averaging 5.2 ppg and 3.1 rpg ... scored season-high 10 points at Sioux Falls (12/8) and at Wayne State (1/2) ... grabbed six rebounds at MSU Denver (11/27) and at Sioux Falls (12/8) ... one of two true freshman to play in 2014-15 ... played in all 28 games with 18 starts ... averaged 7.5 ppg with 25 3-pointers ... averaged 3.7 rpg.

    DREW OSMUNDSON NOTES - Has played in five games ... averaging 3.6 ppg ... had career-highs in rebounds (7) and assists (7) at MSU Moorhead (1/16) ... played in 18 games with 12 starts in 2014-15, but missed the last 11 games with a season-ending injury ... finished third on the team with 51 assists ... averaged 5.7 ppg and 2.0 rpg.

    TAYLOR SCHAFER NOTES - Has played in all 17 games with one start ... averaging 7.9 ppg ... leads team with 32 3-pointers ... scored career-high 17 points at Regis (11/28) with five 3-pointers ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season.

    MITCH WEG NOTES - Has started all 17 games ... a career 57.5 percent field goal shooter ranking first in team history ... leads team in both scoring (12.9) and rebounding (7.0) ... scored season-high 21 points vs. Northern State (11/9) ... grabbed season-high 13 rebounds at Regis (11/28) ... leads team with three double-doubles ... played in all 29 games with 17 starts in 2014-15 ... averaged 12.1 ppg ... led team with 6.1 rpg ... scored double figures in 19 games ... shot 55.6 percent from the field ... finished ranking fourth in the NSIC in free throw pct. (84.1), seventh in field goal pct. (56.5) and seventh in rebounding (6.2).

    JOSH WEIX NOTES - Has played in 16 games ... averaging 5.3 ppg and 2.9 rpg ... scored 12 points on 6 of 8 shooting at MSU Denver (11/27) ... season-high six rebounds at Winona State (12/4) ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season.

    MUSTANGS REACH 100 AND THEN SOME - Southwest Minnesota State's 111-105 overtime win over Northern State on Nov. 19 tied for the second most points scored in a game in school history. The last time SMSU scored 111 points came versus Martin Luther College during the 1997-98 season. The school record is 126 versus Northland College during the 1999-2000 season. SMSU is 34-8 all-time when reaching 100 points in a game.

    WEG NAMED NSIC PLAYER OF THE WEEK - SMSU junior forward Mitch Weg was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week on Nov. 23. Weg is the first SMSU player to earn the conference weekly award since the 2012-13 season. Weg scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in SMSU's 111-105 non-conference win over Northern State. Weg is the first SMSU player to score 20 points and grab 10 rebounds in a single game since Nick Smith (20-10) on Jan. 11, 2013.  

    MUSTANG 20-POINT GAMES -  Southwest Minnesota State has five current players who have scored 20 or more points in a game during their careers, including three times this season. Sophomore Joey Bartlett has reached the 20-point mark nine times, including once this season. Junior Mitch Weg has reached the mark three times, including once this season, while redshirt freshman Ryan Bruggeman has done it once this season. Senior Shaun Condon and sophomore Turner Moen have each reached 20 or more points twice in their career.

    HOME AND AWAY - SMSU is 3-3 at home this season after finishing the 2014-15 home season 6-8. It was the program's first home losing season since 2004-05. SMSU is a combined 84-33 at home since the 2007-08 season. The Mustangs are 5-6 in road/neutral site games this season and are a combined 44-61 in 105 road/neutral site games since 2009-10. The following is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2015-16:
    W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO    
Home    3-3    47.1    33.0    78.5    35.3    79.8    11.8    
Away    5-6    49.2    35.0    68.4    34.5    75.5    14.3         

    HOME SWEET HOME - The 2015-16 season is the 20th year that the R/A Facility has been the home arena for SMSU men's basketball. The facility has proven to be a tough place for opponents with SMSU compiling a record of 191-75 (.718) in 266 all-time games with just two losing seasons (2004-05 and 2014-15). SMSU has recorded double figure home victories in eight of the past 10 seasons.

    CONSECUTIVE 3-POINT GAMES - Southwest Minnesota State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal in 509 straight games. The last time SMSU failed to score a 3-pointer was on Dec. 11, 1998, versus MSU Moorhead at the North Dakota State Classic in Fargo, N.D.

    NSIC SOUTH VS. NORTH - SMSU is 1-3 versus teams from the NSIC North Division this season after last weekend's two losses to Northern State and MSU Moorhead. SMSU is 17-11 versus NSIC North Division teams in regular season play since divisions were introduced during the 2012-13 season. SMSU finished 5-3 versus teams North teams in conference play last season. During the 2013-14 regular season, SMSU had a 5-3 mark, while in 2012-13, SMSU posted a 6-2 record.
    The NSIC South holds a 138-86 advantage over NSIC North teams in regular season play since divisions were formed in 2012-13, but are 6-10 this season. Last season the South finished 35-29 versus the North, in 2013-14 the South finished 42-22, while in 2012-13, the South went 47-17.

    WORKING OVERTIME - SMSU is 43-37 all-time in overtime games, including 1-0 this season, following the win over Northern State on Nov. 19. SMSU has struggled in overtime games in recent seasons, going 4-11 since 2006-07. SMSU's last overtime win prior to this season was Jan. 19, 2013, at MSU Moorhead. SMSU is 6-6 all-time in double overtime games and 0-2 in triple overtime games.

    SMSU SIGNS TWO DURING EARLY PERIOD - Southwest Minnesota State announced on Nov. 12 that high school standouts, guard Nick Dufault from Waseca, Minn., and forward Braedan Hanson from Grand Forks, N.D., signed Letters of Intent during the early signing period.

    2015-16 NSIC PRESEASON POLL - Southwest Minnesota State University was picked to finish eighth overall and fourth in the South Division in the annual 16-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll released in October. Augustana was chosen as the overall preseason favorite earning 225 points, including all 15 first-place votes and was also picked to win the South Division. SMSU junior forward Joey Bartlett was named an "NSIC Player to Watch" for the 2015-16 season.

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC - This season marks the 47th year SMSU men's basketball has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. SMSU has an all-time record of 322-370 in 692 conference games, finishing in the top half of the final standings 23 times in 46 seasons. SMSU has finished in the top half of the NSIC standings in 14 of the last 18 seasons since 1997-98.

    MUSTANG HISTORY - Southwest Minnesota State is in its 49th season of men's basketball and has played 1,336 games compiling an all-time record of 595-741. SMSU has won two NSIC regular season championships (2001 & 2009), one NSIC tournament championship (2012), two NCAA region championships (2001 & 2009) and appeared in three NCAA tournaments (2001, 2009, 2012). SMSU has recorded 21 winning seasons in program history with 14 coming in the last 17 years (including this season).