THIS WEEK - The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (13-14, 9-13 NSIC) opens play in the first round of the NSIC / Sanford Health Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 24, taking on Northern State University (17-11, 13-9 NSIC) with tip-off set for 8 p.m. at the Barnett Center in Aberdeen, S.D. SMSU enters the tournament as the NSIC South No. 7 seed, while NSU is the NSIC North No. 2 seed.
    The winner of Wednesday night's game will play on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., at 8 p.m. versus the winner of S3 Winona State and N6 Minot State. The entire 16-team tournament bracket can be found on page 21. This is the fourth straight season the NSIC tournament, established in 2000, has been a 16-team format.
    Wednesday night will be the third meeting between SMSU and NSU this season. SMSU earned a 111-105 overtime non-conference victory in Marshall on Nov. 19, before NSU picked up a 79-63 win in Aberdeen on Jan. 15.
    Wednesday's game will also be the seventh time SMSU and NSU have meet during the NSIC Tournament with the series tied 3-3. The teams have met once in Aberdeen, with NSU winning 94-83 in the 2005 quarterfinals.

    BROADCAST INFO - Wednesday's game can be heard on 105.1 FM KARL. Live stats and webcast can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

    SMSU IN THE NSIC TOURNAMENT - Southwest Minnesota State is 16-14 all-time in the NSIC tournament since the event began in 2000. The Mustangs are 8-2 at home, 1-6 on the road and 7-6 in neutral sites games. SMSU has advanced to the semifinals nine times and played in five championship games (2001, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2012), including winning its lone tournament championship in 2012.
    SMSU's only road win in the NSIC tournament came in the quarterfinals of the 2010 tournament when the No. 8 seeded Mustangs upset top-seeded Minnesota State, 80-78.

    GAME DAY STORYLINES -
•SMSU has lost seven straight road games and is 2-9 on the road this season. SMSU's last road win came versus Wayne State on Jan. 2.
•SMSU's field goal percentage of 49.5 ranks second highest in team history.
•SMSU's 80.4 points per game ranks fifth highest in team history.
•Sophomore Carter Kirk ranked second in the NSIC (conference games only) in field goal pct. (63.4). Kirk's 64.9 percent field goal shooting this season ranks second highest in team history. Courtney Brown shot 65.4 percent in 1992-93.
•Junior Joey Bartlett recorded his first double-double of the season and second of his career,  last Saturday with 10 points and 12 rebounds vs. Minnesota State.
•Junior Joey Bartlett has scored 970 career points ranking 22nd in school history. He needs 19 points to tie James Ashley (1985-87) for 21st in team history. A total of 19 players have scored 1,000 points in program history.
•Redshirt freshman Ryan Bruggeman is the 16th player in team history to reach 100 assists in a single-season. He begins the tournament with a team-high 122, which currently ranks sixth in single-season team history.
•Bruggeman's 4.5 assists per game is the highest since LaRon Dawn averaged 5.2 in 2004-05 and currently ranks fourth highest in team history.
•Junior Mitch Weg has a team-high five double-doubles this season.
•Weg ranks first in school history in career field goal pct. (57.9, 336 of 580).
•SMSU opponents have made 10 or more 3-pointers 11 times this season.
•SMSU has outrebounded its opponents or been tied in 25 of 27 games this season. SMSU's +5.7 rebound margin ranks third highest in team history.
•SMSU has shot 50 percent or higher in 13 of 26 games this season and has shot 50 percent or higher in 27 of 54 halves.
•SMSU allowed 80 or more points in 12 of 22 NSIC games.
•SMSU has trailed at halftime in 15 of 27 games this season.
•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler recorded his 100th career victory on Dec. 5 at Upper Iowa. His 108 victories ranks second in program history. Greg Stemen (2001-09) is the all-time leader with 141 victories.
•Sophomore MJ Delmore ranks first in school history in career 3-point field goal pct. (50.7, 72 of 142).

    SMSU IN THE NSIC STATS - In the final conference stats (NSIC only), SMSU finished ranking second in rebounding, third in field goal pct., eighth in scoring, 10th in 3-point field goal pct., 12th in free throw pct., 13th in scoring defense, 14th in 3-point field goal pct. defense, and 15th in field goal pct. defense.
    Carter Kirk ranked second in field goal pct., Ryan Bruggeman was fifth in steals, seventh in assists per game and 11th in assist/turnover ratio, Mitch Weg was sixth in rebounding and eighth in field goal pct., while Joey Bartlett was 15th in rebounding. A complete listing of the NSIC stats are found on page 14-15.

    SMSU IN THE NCAA STATS - SMSU ranks high in several categories in the latest Division II stats (Feb. 21). SMSU ranks 15th field goal pct. (49.5), 29th in rebound margin (5.7), 44th in assists (421), 61st in assists per game (15.6) and 98th in scoring (80.4). Mitch Weg ranks 47th in offensive rebounds (3.0), while Ryan Bruggeman ranks 38th in steals (49), 49th in total assists (122) and 68th in assists per game (4.5). A complete listing of the NCAA stats are found on page 16.

    SERIES HISTORY - Southwest Minnesota State and Northern State meet for the 89th time on Wednesday with NSU leading 59-29. NSU leads 34-8 all-time in games played in Aberdeen, including 1-0 in NSIC tournament game. Wednesday's game will be the seventh time the teams have meet during the NSIC Tournament with the series tied 3-3. SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 6-4 all-time versus Northern State. The teams have split a pair of games this season with each team winning on its home court.
    A complete game-by-game of the series can be found on pages 18.

    EARLIER THIS SEASON VERSUS NSU - In the first match-up on Nov. 19, Mitch Weg scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and scored the game-tying shot near the end of regulation, to help lead SMSU to a 111-105 overtime victory in Marshall. Ryan Bruggeman also had a big night for SMSU, scoring 22 points on 8 of 12 shooting with four assists, three steals and three rebounds. Spencer Pankonin led the Wolves with a career-high 26 points, connecting on 7 of 10 shots, including six 3-pointers.
    In NSU's 79-63 win on Jan. 15 in Aberdeen, Darin Peterka scored a game-high 17 points with five assists and four steals to lead the Wolves. Weg scored a team-high 15 points on 7 of 10 shooting for SMSU. The Mustangs committed 15 turnovers in the game, while the Wolves had a season-low four turnovers. NSU held a 15-3 scoring advantage on points off of turnovers.
    The box scores from both games can be found on pages 19-20.

    HEAD COACH BRAD BIGLER - Brad Bigler is in his seventh season as head coach at SMSU and has compiled a record of 108-94, including 78-74 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 dropped a pair of tight road games to conclude the regular season last weekend. SMSU trailed by one point in the final minute before losing 82-75 to Concordia-St. Paul on Friday, before Minnesota State closed the game on a 9-2 run in the final 2:16 to win 72-69 on Saturday. SMSU was outscored a combined 42-12 in the two games on points off of turnovers. Mitch Weg scored 13 points and had seven rebounds versus CSP and scored 15 points with seven rebounds versus MSU. Joey Bartlett scored 13 points versus CSP and had his first double-double of the season on Saturday with 10 points and 12 rebounds. For the season, SMSU is averaging 80 ppg, shooting 50 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3-point range, 72 percent from the free throw line and hold a +5.7 rebound margin. SMSU opponents are averaging 82 ppg and shooting 49 percent from the field.

    ABOUT NORTHERN STATE - The Wolves finished the regular season 17-11 overall, 13-9 NSIC, and have won three straight and five of their last six games. Senior guard Skye Warwick is averaging a team-high 15 ppg with a team-high 95 3-pointers, while junior guard Darin Peterka ranks second in scoring with 13.9 ppg with 44 3-pointers. Sophomore center Carter Evans is averaging 10.9 ppg and a team-leading 6.3 rebounds per game. The Wolves have four players who have made 40 or more 3-pointers this season. NSU is averaging 82 ppg, shooting 49 percent from the field, 42 percent from 3-point range, 69 percent from the free throw line and is a minus-2.7 in rebound margin. NSU opponents are averaging 78 ppg and shooting 47 percent from the field. Northern State head coach Paul Sather is in his sixth season with a record of 103-69.

    JOEY BARTLETT NOTES - Has started all 27 games ... averaging 12.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg, ranking second on the team in both categories ... third on the team with 27 3-pointers ... scored a season-high 27 points at Fort Hays State (11/14) ... scored 25 points vs. Augustana (2/12) ... 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 five games ... scored four points on two field goals vs. Minnesota Crookston (2/6) ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season ... younger brother of teammate Joey.

    RYAN BRUGGEMAN NOTES - Has started all 27 games ... averaging 10.1 ppg ... scored career-high 23 points vs. Bemidji State (2/5) ... scored game-winning shot with 4.5 seconds remaining versus Minot State (12/12) ... leads team with 122 assists ... season-high nine assists vs. Minnesota State (1/22) ... has five or more assists in 13 games ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season.

    SHAUN CONDON NOTES - Has played in all 27 games with 26 starts ... averaging 8.9 ppg ... second on the team with 34 3-pointers ... scored career-high 27 points vs. Minnesota State (1/22) ... 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 24 games ... averaging 4.9 ppg ... scored season-high 13 points vs. Minnesota Crookston (2/6) on 5 of 6 shooting ... ranks first in school history in career 3-point field goal pct. (50.7, 72 of 142) ...  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 27 games ... averaging 9.1 ppg and 5.1 rpg ... finished second in the NSIC in field goal pct. ... shooting 65 percent from the field overall ... 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 15 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 26 games with 14 starts ... averaging 3.1 ppg and 2.2 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 four games and has scored four points ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season.

    TURNER MOEN NOTES - Has played in 26 games with 12 starts ... missed one game with injury ... averaging 5.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg ... scored season-high 10 points in four games ... 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 15 games ... averaging 3.0 ppg ... scored season-high 10 points vs. Concordia-St. Paul (1/23) ... 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 27 games with two starts ... averaging 9.1 ppg ... leads team with 53 3-pointers ... scored career-high 23 points at Minnesota Duluth with a career-high six 3-pointers ... redshirted during the 2014-15 season.

    MITCH WEG NOTES - Has started all 27 games ... a career 58 percent field goal shooter ranking first in team history ... named CoSIDA Academic All-District on Feb. 11 ... leads team in both scoring (12.8) and rebounding (7.3) ... scored season-high 21 points vs. Northern State (11/9) ... grabbed season-high 13 rebounds at Regis (11/28) ... leads team with five double-doubles ... played in all 29 games with 17 starts in 2014-15 ... averaged 12.1 ppg ... led team with 6.1 rpg ... 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 23 games ... averaging 4.2 ppg and 2.3 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 has reached 100 points in two games this season. SMSU'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 35-8 all-time when reaching 100 points in a game following its 100-68 win over Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 6.

    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 six current players who have scored 20 or more points in a game during their careers, including eight times this season. Sophomore Joey Bartlett has reached the 20-point mark 10 times, including twice this season. Junior Mitch Weg has reached the mark four times, including twice this season, redshirt freshmen Ryan Bruggeman has done it twice  this season, senior Shaun Condon has done it once this season and three times in his career, while Taylor Schafer has done it once this season. Sophomore Turner Moen scored 20 or more points twice last season.

    HOME AND AWAY - SMSU finished 8-4 at home this season and is a combined 89-34 at home since the 2007-08 season. The Mustangs are 5-10 in road/neutral site games this season and are a combined 44-65 in 109 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    8-4    51.5    40.0    74.6    35.5    84.6    12.4         
Away    5-10    47.8    35.5    70.4    35.7    77.1    14.2         

    HOME SWEET HOME - The 2015-16 season was the 20th year 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 196-76 (.720) in 272 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 11 seasons.

    SOUTH VS. NORTH - SMSU finished 3-5 versus teams from the NSIC North Division during the conference season. SMSU is 19-13 versus NSIC North Division teams in conference play since divisions were introduced during the 2012-13 season. SMSU finished 5-3 versus teams North teams in conference play last season, recorded a 5-3 mark in 2013-14, while in 2012-13, posted a 6-2 record.
    The NSIC South holds a 161-95 advantage over NSIC North teams in regular season play since divisions were formed in 2012-13, including finishing with a 37-27 record 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.

    CONSECUTIVE 3-POINT GAMES - Southwest Minnesota State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal in 519 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.

    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 ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC - This season marked the 47th year SMSU men's basketball has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. SMSU has an all-time record of 327-375 in 702 conference games, finishing in the top half of the final standings 23 times in 47 seasons. SMSU has finished in the top half of the NSIC standings in 14 of the last 19 seasons since 1997-98 through this season.

    MUSTANG HISTORY - Southwest Minnesota State is in its 49th season of men's basketball and has played 1,346 games compiling an all-time record of 600-746. 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.