THIS WEEKEND - The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (8-5, 4-4 NSIC) returns home this weekend for a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games at the R/A Facility. SMSU will face Upper Iowa University (7-10, 3-5 NSIC) on Friday, Jan. 8, starting at 8 p.m., before taking on Winona State University (5-7, 4-4 NSIC) on Saturday, Jan. 9, with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. It will be the second time SMSU has faced both teams this season. SMSU defeated UIU 87-81 on Dec. 5 in Fayette, Iowa, but lost at Winona State, 86-75, on Dec. 4 in Winona.    

    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 -
•Sophomore Carter Kirk grabbed a season-high eight rebounds at Augustana last Sunday.
•Redshirt freshman Ryan Bruggeman is averaging 4.2 assists per game--ranking as the highest per game average in a single-season since LaRon Dawn in 2004-05.
•SMSU has allowed 80 or more points in five of its eight NSIC games.
•SMSU has trailed at halftime in eight of 13 games this season.
•SMSU has outrebounded its opponents in 10 of 13 games this season and were tied in two other games.
•SMSU has shot 51 percent or higher in seven of 13 games this season and has shot 50 percent or higher in 14 of 26 halves.
•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 third in school history in career field goal pct. (57.0, 266 of 467).
•Sophomore MJ Delmore ranks first in school history in career 3-point field goal pct. (50.0, 65 of 130).
•Following Sunday's loss at No. 2 Augustana, SMSU is now 3-22 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. 3). SMSU ranks 28th field goal pct. (49.4), 62nd in rebound margin (4.8) and 73rd in free throw pct. (73.9). Mitch Weg ranks 13th in offensive rebounds (4.0), while Ryan Bruggeman ranks 77th in total assists (54). A complete listing of the NCAA stats are found on page 14.

    SMSU IN THE NSIC STATS - In the latest conference stats (NSIC games only), SMSU ranks third in field goal pct., fifth in rebounding, seventh in scoring and 13th in scoring defense. Carter Kirk is third in field goal pct., Ryan Bruggeman is seventh in assists per game, while Mitch Weg ranks ninth in rebounding. A complete listing of the NSIC stats are found on page 14-15.

    SERIES HISTORY - Southwest Minnesota State and Upper Iowa meet for the 22nd time with SMSU leading 16-5 in a series dating back to 1979-80. SMSU leads 8-2 in games played in Marshall. SMSU's win earlier this season snapped a three game overall winning streak in the series for UIU. UIU has won the last two meetings in Marshall with SMSU's last win coming on Jan. 25, 2013. SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 8-4 versus Upper Iowa.  
    Southwest Minnesota State and Winona State meet for the 103rd time in a series dating back to 1968-69 with WSU leading, 67-35. WSU holds a 26-21 advantage in games played in Marshall, but SMSU has won the last two games played in Marshall. WSU has won 24 of the last 28 meetings since 2004-05. SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 4-9 versus Winona State.
    A complete game-by-game of each series can be found on pages 18-19.

    LAST TIME VERSUS WSU AND UIU - SMSU rallied from a 17-point second half deficit to stun Upper Iowa 87-81 on Dec. 5 in Fayette. UIU, which led by 12 at halftime, extended the lead to 62-45 with 14 minutes left in the game. Mitch Weg led the Mustangs with 17 points and five rebounds, while Taylor Schafer and Shaun Condon each added 12 points. Joey Bartlett also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points, with all 10 coming in the second half. Weg, Bartlett and Josh Weix each grabbed five rebounds to pace the Mustangs. SMSU finished the game shooting 55 percent (33 of 60) from the field, including 6 of 12 from 3-point range. UIU shot 46 percent (29 of 63) in the game, but were held to just 39 percent in the second half. The Peacocks finished the night connecting on 12 3-pointers.    
    Winona State sank 14 3-pointers to earn an 86-75 victory over SMSU on Dec. 4 in Winona. Joey Bartlett and Ryan Bruggeman led the Mustangs with 12 points each, while Shaun Condon and Josh Weix each chipped in 10.
    The box scores from both games can be found on pages 20-21.

    HEAD COACH BRAD BIGLER - Brad Bigler is in his seventh season as head coach at SMSU and has compiled a record of 103-85, including 73-65 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 returned from the holiday break splitting a pair of road games last weekend. SMSU built a 25-point second half lead at Wayne State and held on for an 82-73 victory on Saturday. Five SMSU players scored in double figures with Joey Bartlett leading the way with 14 points and seven rebounds. On Sunday, No. 2 Augustana built a 19-point halftime lead and went on to earn a 99-75 victory. Carter Kirk scored 14 points and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds. SMSU committed 18 turnovers--its second highest total this season--leading to 27 Augustana points. For the season, SMSU is averaging 79 ppg, shooting 49 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range, 74 percent from the free throw line and hold a +4.8 rebound margin. SMSU opponents are averaging 79 ppg and shooting 48 percent from the field.





    ABOUT UPPER IOWA - The Peacocks are 7-10 overall, 3-5 NSIC, and are coming off a home 89-81 victory over Northern State on Sunday, snapping a three-game losing streak. Junior guard Jimmy Roth leads a balanced attack for the Peacocks averaging 12.9 ppg with 17 3-pointers. Junior center Josh Weeber is averaging 10.9 ppg with 30 3-pointers, while junior guard Luke Lenhart is scoring 10.4 ppg and has connected on a team-high 34 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Carson Parker is averaging 10.6 ppg and a team-leading 5.4 rebounds per game. UIU is averaging 81 ppg, shooting 44 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, 70 percent from the free throw line and is a minus-1.9 in rebound margin. UIU opponents are averaging 82 ppg and shooting 46 percent from the field.
    Upper Iowa head coach Brooks McKowen is in his third season with a record of 40-37. He was an assistant coach at SMSU for two seasons prior to taking over at UIU.

    ABOUT WINONA STATE - The Warriors are 5-7 overall, 4-4 NSIC, and face the University of Sioux Falls on Frida after losing two home games last weekend to Northern State and MSU Moorhead. Junior forward Kyle Bauman averages a team-high 14.7 ppg, shooting 53 percent and is also the team leader in rebounding at 6.0 per game. Junior guard Riley Bambenek averages 12 ppg with a team-high 24 3-pointers, while senior forward Mark Blacklock is scoring 9.8 ppg. WSU is averaging 72 ppg, shooting 47 percent from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range, 73 percent from the free throw line and is a plus 4.0 in rebound margin. WSU opponents are averaging 72 ppg and shooting 44 percent from the field.
    Winona State head coach Todd Eisner is in his first season with a record of 5-7. Prior to taking over at WSU this summer, Eisner was head coach at Midland University (Neb.), Viterbo (Wis.), Bellevue (Neb.) and Benedictine (Kan.).

    JOEY BARTLETT NOTES - Has started all 13 games ... averaging 11.5 ppg and 4.9 rpg, ranking second on the team in both categories ... scored a season-high 27 points at Fort Hays State (11/14) ... third on the team with 12 3-pointers ... 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 one game ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season ... younger brother of teammate Joey.

    RYAN BRUGGEMAN NOTES - Has started all 13 games ... averaging 8.2 ppg ... scored game-winning shot with 4.5 seconds remaining versus Minot State (12/12) ... leads team with 54 assists ... season-high eight assists vs. Minot State (12/12) ... has five or more assists in six 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 13 games with 12 starts ... averaging 7.2 ppg ... third on the team with 12 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 13 games ... averaging 5.8 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. (50.0, 65 of 130) ...  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 13 games ... averaging 9.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg ... scored career-high 19 points on 9 of 10 shooting vs. Minot State (12/12) ... season-high eight rebounds at Augustana (1/3) ... has five or more rebounds in six 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 13 games with 12 starts ... averaging 4.2 ppg and 2.9 rpg ... scored season-high nine points vs. Sioux Falls (12/19) ... only true freshman to play this season.

    JAKE MAIERS NOTES - Has played in one game with one field goal ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season.

    TURNER MOEN NOTES - Has played in 13 games with one start ... averaging 5.8 ppg and 3.5 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 two games ... played in 18 games with 12 starts in 2014-15 ... 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 13 games with one start ... averaging 8.6 ppg ... leads team with 26 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 13 games ... a career 57 percent field goal shooter, ranking third in team history ... leads team in both scoring (12.5) and rebounding (7.8) ... 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 all 13 games ... averaging 5.5 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 3-1 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 84-31 at home since the 2007-08 season. The Mustangs are 5-4 in road/neutral site games this season and are a combined 44-59 in 103 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    3-1    49.6    37.8    81.8    34.8    85.2    11.0    
Away    5-4    49.3    35.0    70.9    34.9    76.2    14.7        

    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 191-73 (.723) in 264 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 505 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 1-1 versus teams from the NSIC North Division this season following a split with U-Mary and Minot State in December. SMSU is 17-9 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 during the 2014-15 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 130-78 advantage over NSIC North teams in regular season play since divisions were formed in 2012-13. Last season the South finished 35-29 versus the North, while in 2013-14, the South finished 42-22.

    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 322-366 in 688 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 1,332 games compiling an all-time record of 595-737. 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).