THE GAMES
•The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (17-4, 12-4 NSIC) plays its final two opponents from the NSIC North Division in regular season play this Friday and Saturday with road games in the state of North Dakota. SMSU takes on Minot State University (10-12, 6-10 NSIC) on Friday with tip-off set for 8 p.m. at the MSU Dome in Minot. On Saturday, SMSU faces U-Mary (8-14, 6-10 NSIC) with game time slated for 6 p.m. at the McDowell Activity Center in Bismarck.

    THE STANDINGS
•SMSU begins the weekend second in the NSIC South Division standings and tied for second overall.
•MISU and U-Mary are both tied for fourth in the NSIC North Division and tied for 10th overall.  

    BROADCAST INFO
•Both games will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL.
•The game can also be viewed online at SMSUmustangs.com.

    BEST START IN TEAM HISTORY
•SMSU opened the season with a program best 6-0 record.
•SMSU's 17-4 record is the best after 21 games in school history.  
    
    SERIES HISTORY VS. MINOT STATE
•Southwest Minnesota State and Minot State meet for the sixth time with SMSU leading 5-0.
•The teams first met during the 2011-12 season.
•Four of SMSU's victories have been in NSIC games.
•SMSU leads 2-0 all-time in games at Minot State.
•SMSU won 86-84 last season in Marshall on Dec. 12, 2015.
•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 5-0 all-time versus MISU.
•Game-by-game results of the series on page 17.

    SERIES HISTORY VS. U-MARY
•Southwest Minnesota State and U-Mary meet for the 15th time on Saturday with SMSU leading 11-3.
•SMSU leads 4-2 all-time in games played in Bismarck.
•U-Mary won last season's game in Marshall, 91-82, on Dec. 11, 2015.
•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 5-3 all-time versus U-Mary.
•Game-by-game results of the series on page 17.

    ROAD WARRIORS
•SMSU is 8-2 in "true" road games this season, recording its most road victories since the 2008-09 team won 11.
•The eight road wins is tied for the fourth highest in team history.
•The 2008-09 team won 11 road games, the 2000-01 team won 10 games, the 1995-96 team won nine games, while the 2001-02 squad won eight games.

    GAME DAY STORYLINES
•SMSU's 17 victories is its highest win total since recording 19 during the 2013-14 season.
•SMSU's 42 field goals made versus MSU Moorhead last Friday was its highest total since making 43 versus Trinity Bible on Feb. 18, 2002.  
•SMSU's 113 points in its victory over MSU Moorhead last Friday was the second highest total in team history.
•Joey Bartlett needs five points to pass Charlie Taylor and move into sole possession of ninth place on the SMSU all-time scoring list. Bartlett has scored 1,222 in 109 games.  
•Bartlett needs three 3-pointers to move into sole possession of sixth place in team history.
•Mitch Weg is one rebound shy of moving into sole possession of third all-time in the career rebound book with 718. He is 16 away from tying second all-time.  
•SMSU is 15-2 when committing 15 or fewer turnovers, but 2-2 when committing more than 15.
•SMSU is 10-2 in games decided by four or less points or played in overtime.
•SMSU opponents made 10 or more 3-pointers in 11 games  last season and averaged 8.8 per game. In 21 games this season, opponents are averaging 7.5 per game and have reached double figures six times.
•SMSU has recorded a pair of six-game winning streaks this season with both winning streaks ending with losses to Upper Iowa.

    NCAA NATIONAL STATISTICS
•A complete listing of SMSU and Mustang individuals in the latest NCAA statistics (Jan. 29) can be found on page 16.
•SMSU ranks among the top 53 in three categories.
•SMSU ranks 31st in won-lost pct.
•SMSU ranks 38th in field goal pct.
•SMSU ranks 53rd in rebound margin.
•Ryan Bruggeman ranks 60th in total assists.
•Carter Kirk ranks 91st in rebounds per game.

    NSIC STATISTICS
•A complete listing of SMSU in this week's NSIC statistics (NSIC games only) can be found on pages 14-15.
•SMSU ranks first in steals.
•SMSU ranks second in rebound margin.
•SMSU ranks fourth in field goal pct. defense.
•SMSU ranks fifth in scoring offense.
•SMSU ranks sixth in scoring defense.
•SMSU ranks seventh in field goal pct.
•Carter Kirk ranks third in field goal pct., fourth in rebounding and seventh in blocked shots.
•Ryan Bruggeman ranks fourth in steals, fourth in assists and seventh in free throw pct.
•Mitch Weg ranks fourth in field goal pct. and eighth in rebounding.
•Joey Bartlett ranks fourth in free throw pct.
•KJ Davis is ninth in steals.

    SMSU IN THE NABC NATIONAL POLL
•SMSU has received votes the past four polls, including Jan. 31.
•SMSU was ranked No. 22 in the Jan. 3 poll.
•SMSU debuted at No. 25 on Dec. 20.
•SMSU has been ranked 20 times all-time in the NABC poll.

    SMSU RANKED EARLIER IN D2SIDA NATIONAL POLL
•SMSU received votes in the Jan. 31 Top 25 poll (26th overall).
•SMSU was ranked No. 16 in the Jan. 10 poll.
•The poll is voted on by Sports Information Directors.
•This season is the first time in the three-year existence of the poll SMSU has been ranked.

    SMSU THIRD IN D2SIDA REGIONAL POLL
•SMSU is ranked third in the latest D2SIDA Central Region poll released on Monday, Jan. 30.
•Each of the eight regions has six representatives from D2SIDA that coordinate the regional committee, with a regional poll that will be released every Monday during the regular season.
•The D2SIDA weekly rankings are independent of the official NCAA Regional Rankings that will be released closer to the end of the season.
D2SIDA Central Region Poll (Jan. 16)
    Rank    (First-Place Votes)                   W-L    Pts.    Prev.
    1    Northwest Missouri State (6)    19-0    60    1
    2    Arkansas-Monticello    15-2    52    2
    3    Southwest Minnesota State    17-4    46    4
    4    MSU Moorhead    18-4    45    3
    5    Upper Iowa    16-6    34    5
    6    East Central    14-5    25    7
    7    Central Missouri    14-5    23    8
    8    Northern State    16-6    19    10
    9    Arkansas Tech    13-4    15    9
    10    Augustana    15-7    9    6

    SMSU HEAD COACH BRAD BIGLER
•Brad Bigler is in his eighth season as head coach and has compiled an overall record of 125-99.
•The 125 victories ranks second in team history.
•Bigler has a record of 90-78 in NSIC play.
•The 2012-13 NSIC Coach of the Year, Bigler has led SMSU to four winning seasons, including a pair of 19-win 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's complete bio is found on page 19.








    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE
•SMSU is 17-4 overall, 12-4 NSIC, following a split at home last weekend, defeating No. 21 MSU Moorhead, 113-105 in overtime, before losing 96-86 to Northern State..
•SMSU has six players averaging double figures in scoring.
•Ryan Bruggeman leads the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg and has dished out a team-high 93 assists.
•Taylor Schafer is scoring 12 ppg with a team-high 37 3-pointers.
•Carter Kirk is averaging a team-high 8.1 rpg and scoring 10.1 ppg
•SMSU is averaging 83 points per game, while opponents are averaging 76.
•SMSU is shooting 49 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range and 73 percent from the free throw line.

    ABOUT MINOT STATE
•MISU is 10-12 overall, 6-10 NSIC, and are coming off losses at Winona State and U-Mary.
•MISU is 8-3 in home games this season.
•Tyler Rudolph is scoring a team-high 20.5 ppg, averaging a team-high 9.7 rpg and shooting 52 percent from the field with 34 3-pointers.
•Luis Ricci Maia is averaging 12.6 ppg and has 32 3-pointers with 90 assists.
•Nathan Mertens is scoring 11 ppg and has 80 assiss.
•MISU is shooting 49 percent from the field, 42 percent from 3-point range and 72 percent from the free throw line.
•MSUM is scoring 79 points per game, while opponents are averaging 78 per game.
•Matt Murken is in his fifth season as head coach with a record 57-77.

    ABOUT U-MARY
•U-Mary is 8-14 overall, 6-10 NSIC, and have lost three straight games.
•U-Mary plays host to Sioux Falls on Friday night.
•U-Mary is 5-5 at home this season.
•Bryan Jefferson is averaging 16 ppg and team-high 7.6 rpg.
•Damonta Henry is scoring 15.6 ppg and has made a team-high 49 3-pointers.
•U-Mary is shooting 46 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range and 70 percent from the free throw line.
•Joe Kittell is in his second season as head coach with a record 27-26.

    WINS VERSUS NATIONALLY RANKED TEAMS
•SMSU's win over No. 16 Augustana (D2SIDA) on Dec. 30 was its first over a nationally ranked team since defeating No. 16 Winona State on Jan. 17, 2014.
•SMSU also defeated No. 21 (NABC) MSU Moorhead on Jan. 27.

    BARTLETT AND WEG REACH 1,000 CAREER POINTS
•Senior Joey Bartlett became the 20th player in team history to reach 1,000 career points in SMSU's win over Emporia State on Nov. 13, 2016.
•Senior Mitch Weg became the 21st member of the 1,000 point club in a victory at Augustana on Dec. 30, 2016.
•The all-time scoring list is located on page 3.

    JOEY BARTLETT NOTES
•Averaging 11.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg.
•Ranks tied for second on the team with 30 3-pointers.
•Ranks ninth in team history with 160 3-pointers.
•Scored season-high 26 points vs. Minnesota Duluth.
•Older brother of teammate Kolin.
SMSU Career 3-Point Field Goals
    1.     305    Matt Fletcher (118 games) - 2004-08
    2.     268    Adam Tesch (112 games) - 1998-02
    3.     253      Jordan Miller (115 games) - 2009-13
    4.    210    Travis Krenske (86 games) - 2005-08
    5.    173    Jacob Fahl (120 games) - 1999-03
    6.    162    Brian Wiersma (109 games) - 1999-03
        162    Chad Ostermann (101 games) - 1993-97
        162    Andre Beasley (72 games) - 1990-93
    9.     160    Joey Bartlett (109 games) - 2013-17

    KOLIN BARTLETT NOTES
•Has played in just one game this season due to an injury.
•Has played in six career games.
•Younger brother of teammate Joey.

    RYAN BRUGGEMAN NOTES
•Has started 21 games and leads the team with 93 assists.
•Averaging 13.5 ppg, ranking first on the team.
•Career-high 27 points vs. Northern State on Jan. 28 and at Augustana on Dec. 30.
•Scored 25 points in victory at Wayne State on Dec. 31.
•Ranks third in team history averaging 4.5 assists per game.
•Ranks eighth in team history with an 81.1 career free throw pct.
•Led team with 126 assists last season.

    KJ DAVIS NOTES
•First season with SMSU.
•Has started 21 games and is averaging 10.1 ppg, ranking fifth on the team.
•Scored a season-high 18 points vs. Emporia State.
•Has made 19 3-pointers ranking tied for fourth on the team.

    CARTER KIRK NOTES
•Has started 18 games and is averaging 10.7 ppg and a team-leading 8.1 rpg.
•Has a team-high six double-doubles this season.
•Scored career-high 20 points at Michigan Tech (11/18/16).
•Ranks second in team history with career 57.3 field goal pct.  
•Finished second in the NSIC in field goal pct. last season.  

    MICHAEL LEE NOTES
•Has played in 19 games this season.
•Averaging 6.6 ppg and 3.0 rpg.
•Tied for second on the team with 30 3-pointers.
•Tied a career-high 14 points vs. Concordia (1/20/17).

    JAKE MAIERS NOTES
•Played in four career games and scored four points.
•Has not played this season due to an injury.


    TURNER MOEN NOTES
•Has started 21 games.
•Averaging 6.2 ppg and 4.0 rpg.
•Ranks second on the team with 52 assists.
•Season-high 13 points vs. MSU Moorhead and at Winona State.
•Career-high eight assists vs. Concordia (1/20/17).

    DREW OSMUNDSON NOTES
•Has played in 21 games averaging 2.0 ppg.
•Scored a season-high six points twice versus Sioux Falls.
•Has recorded 46 assists ranking third on the team.

    TAYLOR SCHAFER NOTES
•Has played in 21 games.
•Scored a season-high 22 points at Northern Michigan and at Bemidji State.
•Second on the team in scoring at 12 ppg.
•Has made a team-high 37 3-pointers.
•Has scored 19 or more points in five games.
•Led team with 57 3-pointers last season.




    MITCH WEG NOTES
•Has started 21 games this season.
•Averaging 10.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg, ranking second on the team in rebounding and tied for fifth in scoring.
•Shooting team-high 64.4 percent from the field.
•Scored season-high 20 points at Northern State.
•Ranks first in team history shooting 58.6 percent (411 of 701) from the field.
•Ranks third in team history with 717 rebounds.
•Ranks seventh in team history with 255 free throws made.
•Named CoSIDA Academic All-District in 2015-16.  
•Led team in both scoring and rebounding last season.
SMSU Career Rebounds
    1.     848         Frank Belmont - 1971-75
    2.     733         Ross DeMasi  - 2005-09
    3.     717         Mitch Weg - 2013-17
         717         Mike Tobin  - 1982-86

    BRUGGEMAN EARNS NSIC WEEKLY AWARD
•Sophomore Ryan Bruggeman was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week on Jan. 3.
•Bruggeman averaged 26 points on 57 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals in road victories over Augustana University (78-76) and Wayne State College (85-73).

    MUSTANG 20-POINT GAMES  
•Southwest Minnesota State has six players who have scored 20 or more points in a game during their careers, including 12 this season.
•Senior Joey Bartlett leads all current players having reached the 20-point mark 13 times (three times this season).
20-Point Games - THIS SEASON
    27    Ryan Bruggeman    Northern State, 1/28/17
    27    Ryan Bruggeman    Augustana, 12/30/16
    26    Joey Bartlett    Minnesota Duluth, 12/9/16
    25    Ryan Bruggeman    Wayne State, 12/31/16
    24    Joey Bartlett    Upper Iowa, 1/7/17        
    22    Taylor Schafer    Bemidji State, 1/14/17
    22    Taylor Schafer    Northern Michigan, 11/19/16
    21    Taylor Schafer    Fort Hays State, 11/12/16
    20    Taylor Schafer    Winona State, 1/6/17
    20    Joey Bartlett    Upper Iowa, 12/2/16
    20    Carter Kirk    Michigan Tech, 11/18/16
    20    Mitch Weg    Northern State, 11/15/16    

    HOME AND AWAY
•SMSU is 7-2 at home this season and 96-36 at home since the 2007-08 season.
•The Mustangs, 10-2 in road/neutral site games this season, are a combined 64-69 in 123 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 2016-17:
        W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO    
Home    7-2    .470    .389    .713    39.6    85.0    11.3        
Away    10-2    .502    .344    .746    35.3    80.8    12.8         
    HOME SWEET HOME
•The 2016-17 season marks the 21st year the R/A Facility has been the home arena for SMSU men's basketball.
•SMSU has a record of 203-78 (.722) in 281 all-time games with just two losing seasons.
•SMSU has recorded double figure home victories in eight of the past 11 seasons.
SMSU in the R/A Facility
    Year    Overall    NSIC    Non
    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    13-3    8-2    5-1
    2009-10    12-3    7-3    5-0
    2010-11    10-3    8-3    2-0
    2011-12    10-2    9-2    1-0
    2012-13    7-4    7-4    0-0
    2013-14    11-4    8-3    3-1
    2014-15    6-8    4-7    2-1
    2015-16    8-4    7-4    1-0
    2016-17    7-2    7-2    0-0    
    Totals    203-78     133-55    70-23

    CONSECUTIVE 3-POINT GAMES
•Southwest Minnesota State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal in 542 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.

    MUSTANGS REACH 100 AND THEN SOME
•Southwest Minnesota State reached 100 points for the first time this season in a 113-105 overtime win over MSU Moorhead on Jan. 27. It was the second highest point total in team history.
•SMSU is 36-8 all-time when scoring 100 points in a game.

    WORKING OVERTIME
•SMSU is 44-38 all-time in overtime games.
•SMSU is 1-1 this season, losing 99-96 to Upper Iowa (1/7), before defeating MSU Moorhead, 113-105 (1/27).
•SMSU has struggled in overtime games in recent seasons, going 5-12 since 2006-07.
•SMSU is 6-6 all-time in double overtime games and 0-2 in triple overtime games.

    NSIC SOUTH VS. NSIC NORTH
•SMSU is 4-2 versus teams from the NSIC North Division in conference games this season. (SMSU beat Northern State in a non-conference game on Nov. 15).
•The NSIC South holds a 188-116 advantage over NSIC North teams in regular season play since divisions were formed in 2012-13, including 27-21 this season.
•SMSU is 23-15 versus NSIC North Division teams in conference play since divisions were introduced prior to the 2012-13 season.
•SMSU finished 3-5 versus North teams in 2015-16, 5-3 in 2014-15, went 5-3 in 2013-14, and finished 6-2 in 2012-13.
•In 2015-16, the South led the North 37-27; in 2014-15, the South finished 35-29; in 2013-14, the South finished 42-22, while in 2012-13, the South went 47-17.

    2016-17 NSIC PRESEASON POLL
•SMSU was picked to finish eighth overall and fifth in the South Division in the annual 16-team NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll released in October.
•Minnesota State was chosen as the overall preseason favorite earning 220 points, including all 11 first-place votes and was also picked to win the South Division.
•SMSU senior Mitch Weg was named a "Player to Watch"

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC
•This year marks the 48th season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
•SMSU has an all-time record of 338-378 in 716 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.

    MUSTANG HISTORY
•Southwest Minnesota State is in its 50th season of men's basketball in 2016-17.
•SMSU has played 1,366 games compiling an all-time record of 616-750.
•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 22 winning seasons in program history with 15 coming in the last 19 years (including this season).