THIS WEEK
•The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (3-3, 0-0 NSIC) opens Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this Saturday, Nov. 30, at the University of Sioux Falls (4-1, 0-0 NSIC). Game time is 7 p.m. at the Stewart Center.
•Saturday will begin SMSU's 51st collegiate basketball season in the NSIC with the Mustangs holding a 371-397 all-time record in conference games.
•SMSU, which won the NSIC South Division title in both 2016-17 and 2017-18, finished fifth in the division last season, but won three games in the NSIC Tournament to advance to the championship game for a third straight season.
 
    BROADCAST INFO
•Saturday's game will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik providing play-by-play.
•Live stats, radio broadcast and video can be found at SMSUmustangs. com.

    SERIES HISTORY VERSUS SIOUX FALLS
•SMSU and Sioux Falls meet for the 34th time Saturday with SMSU leading 21-12 in a series that started in 1968-69.
•SMSU holds an 8-6 advantage in conference games since USF joined the NSIC in 2012-13.    
•USF leads the series 11-5 in games played at USF, but SMSU won last season's game at the Stewart Center, 79-75.
•SMSU has won six of the last eight games since Dec. 19, 2015. The teams split last season with USF winning, 94-72 in Marshall on Dec. 1, before SMSU won at USF on Dec. 30.  
•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 9-6 all-time versus Sioux Falls.
•A complete listing of each game is located on page 19.

    MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS
•Junior Kenny Byers leads the team in both scoring (13.8) and rebounding (8.3) and has recorded a team-high three double-doubles this season.  
•SMSU has six players averaging 7.7 points or more per game.
•Sophomore Grant Kramer has dished out a team-high 19 assists.
•Junior Nick Dufault has connected on a team-high 10 3-pointers. He ranks fourth in team history in 3-point field goal pct. (42.6).
•Junior Weston Baker Magrath scored a season-high 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting in the win over Minnesota Morris on Nov. 22.
•SMSU shot as season-high 56 percent from the field, including 72 percent in the second half, in the win over UMM. The 82 points scored was also a season-high.
•SMSU set a team record last season shooting 81.3 percent from the free throw line, but is shooting just 57 percent following six games this season.
•SMSU has outrebounded its opponents three through six games this season. Last season, SMSU outrebounded its opponent just twice in its last 21 games and finished last in the NSIC in rebound margin (-8.5).  
•SMSU has held a plus-15 rebound advantage in two games this season (+17 at Central Missouri and +19 versus Minnesota Morris).
•SMSU is shooting 46 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range, 57 percent from the free throw line and is plus-5.7 in rebound margin.
•SMSU is averaging 69 points per game, while opponents are averaging 67 points per game.

    SMSU HEAD COACH BRAD BIGLER
•Brad Bigler, the all-time wins leader in program history, is in his 11th season as head coach with an overall record of 182-127, including 122-96 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.
•The 2012-13 and 2016-17 NSIC Coach of the Year, Bigler has led SMSU to seven winning seasons, including one 28-win season, one 25-win season and two 19-win seasons.
•SMSU won NSIC Tournament titles in 2012 and 2017 and also won NSIC South Division championships in both 2016-17 and 2017-18.  
•SMSU has played in five NSIC Tournament championship games during his tenure (2010, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019).
•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 18.

    SMSU VICTORIES OVER THE LAST THREE-PLUS SEASONS
•Southwest Minnesota State has posted a combined record of 74-32 the past three-plus seasons (start of 2016-17 to current) which includes two NSIC South Division titles and three appearances in the NSIC Tournament championship game.
•The 71 victories entering this season is the best three-year run in program history.





    SMSU OPENS HOME SEASON WITH VICTORIES
•SMSU opened its home season last Thursday night with a 73-61 victory over Mayville State, before earning an 82-59 win over Minnesota Morris on Friday.
•SMSU used a balanced scoring attack in the win over Mayville State with redshirt freshman Kaden Evans scoring a team-high 13 points in his first career game. Evans, who missed the first four games of the season due to injury, connected on 5 of 9 shots with three 3-pointers.
•True freshman Cliff McCray added 12 points and a team-high six rebounds, while also recording three steals. Kenny Byers also reached double figures for the Mustangs with 10 points, four rebounds and three steals.
•The Mustangs shot 67 percent in the opening half, but cooled to 36 percent shooting in the second half, to finish the game at 51 percent (31 of 61). SMSU made seven of 23 3-pointers and were a perfect 4 of 4 from the free throw line.
•In the win over UMM, Weston Baker Magrath scored a season-high 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting. Byers added 15 points on 7 of 10 shooting.
•Braeden Hanson scored a season-high 10 points and tied a career-high with nine rebounds.
•SMSU trailed 31-28 at halftime, but shot 72 percent (21 of 29) in the second half to outscore UMM, 54-28.
•The Mustangs held a 39-20 rebound advantage and outscored the Cougars 16-4 in second chance points.  

    SCOUTING SIOUX FALLS
•USF is 4-1 on the season and welcomes Minnesota Crookston to the Stewart Center on Tuesday for a non-conference game.
•The Cougars enter Tuesday having won three straight, including 62-59 over Chadron State last Friday and CSU-Pueblo, 77-70, last Saturday in Aberdeen, S.D.  
•Junior forward Teathloach Pal is averaging 13.8 ppg and 11.4 rpg, while shooting 60 percent from the field.
•Junior forward Austin Slater is scoring 13.4 ppg and has made 27 of 38 from the free throw line.
•Sophomore guard Chase Grinde has a team-high 16 assists and is scoring 9.4 ppg.
•Head coach Chris Johnson is in his 12th season at USF with a record of 199-144. He is the program's all-time leader in victories.
•USF is shooting 42 percent from the field, 24 percent from 3-point range, 71 percent from the free throw line and is plus-8.4 in rebound margin.
•USF is averaging 66 points per game, while opponents average 61 points per game.  

    SMSU IN THE 2019-20 NCAA STATISTICS
•The current 2019-20 NCAA statistics are located on page 17.
•SMSU ranks 31st in turnovers per game and 58th in scoring defense.
•Weston Baker Magrath is ranked 19th in blocked shots and 24th in blocked shots per game.
•Kenny Byers ranks 18th with three double-doubles.  

    SMSU IN THE 2019-20 NSIC STATISTICS
•The current 2019-20 NSIC statistics (all games) are located on pages 14-16.
•Kenny Byers ranks sixth in rebounding and seventh in steals.
•Weston Baker Magrath is second in blocked shots.

    MUSTANG 20-POINT GAMES  
•Two current SMSU players, juniors Nick Dufault and Kenny Byers  have scored 20 or more points in a game during their careers.
•Byers has reached 20 points one this season and twice last season, while Dufault had one 20-point game last season and also had another during the 2017-18 season.
20 or More Point Games in Career
    23    Nick Dufault    Crown, 11/21/17
    22    Nick Dufault    Crown, 11/24/18
    20    Kenny Byers    Central Missouri, 11/9/19
    20    Kenny Byers    Concordia-St. Paul, 12/8/18
    20    Kenny Byers    Crown, 11/24/18
Bold indicates 2019-20 season

    WESTON BAKER MAGRATH NOTES
•Has started six games and is averaging 7.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg.
•Leads the team with 12 blocked shots.
•Season-high 18 points vs. Minnesota Morris (11/22/19).
•Played previous two seasons at Nebraska-Kearney and averaged 6.6 ppg and 3.1 rpg in 2018-19.
•Led UNK in blocked shots last season with 33.
•Scored a 2018-19 season-high 18 points versus Northeastern State.
 
    KENNY BYERS NOTES
•Has started six games and leads team in scoring (13.8) and rebounding (8.3).
•Tied career-high with 20 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds at Central Missouri (11/9/19).
•Also recorded 11 rebounds vs. Stonehill (11/15/19).
•Played 32 games with 31 starts last season and averaged 10.2 ppg and 4.0 rpg.
•Named to the 2019 NSIC All-Tournament team.
•Played as a true freshman in 2017-18.

    BRIAN DAYMAN NOTES
•Has played in six games with four starts and is averaging 6.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
•Grabbed career-high nine rebounds vs. Stonehill.
•Scored 10 points vs. Arkansas-Monticello.
•Sat out the 2018-19 season as a redshirt.

    NICK DUFAULT NOTES
•Has played in six games and ranks third in scoring (9.5).
•Has made a team-high 10 3-pointers this season.
•Season-high 16 points with four 3-pointers vs. Central Missouri.
•Ranks fourth in team history in 3-point field goal pct. (42.6).
•Has made career-high five 3-pointers three times.
•Ranked third on the team with 49 3-pointers last season.
•Sat out 2016-17 season as a redshirt.

    KADEN EVANS NOTES
•Missed the first four games with an injury.
•Averaging 10 ppg and 3.5 ppg in two games.
•Scored 13 points with three 3-pointers vs. Mayville State.
•Sat out the 2018-19 season as a redshirt.

    BRAEDAN HANSON NOTES
•Has played in six games with two starts and is averaging 5.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg.
•Career-high nine rebounds vs. Stonehill (11/15/19) and vs. Minnesota Morris (11/22/19).
•Scored season-high 10 points vs. Minnesota Morris.
•Played in 32 games with 22 starts last season, averaging 6.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg.
•Scored a career-high 17 points vs. Northland (11/20/18).
•Poured in 16 points with four 3-pointers vs. UMary (1/19/19).
•Sat out 2016-17 season as a redshirt.

    GRANT KRAMER NOTES
•Has started six games this season and is averaging 8.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg.
•Has dished out team-high 19 assists.
•Career-high 14 points vs. Northern Michigan (11/16/19).
•Scored 13 points vs. Stonehill (11/15/19).
•Played in 32 games in 2018-19 and averaged 2.6 ppg and 2.4 rpg.
•Career-high 11 rebounds at Minnesota State (1/12/19).
•Sat out the 2017-18 season as a redshirt.

    CLIFF MCCRAY NOTES
•Has started six games and is averaging 9.0 ppg and 4.3 rpg.
•Scored season-high 12 points vs. Mayville State and Minnesota Morris.
•Grabbed season-high seven rebounds at Central Missouri.
•Only true freshman expected to play in 2019-20.

    JAKE PHIPPS NOTES
•Has appeared in six games and is averaging 5.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg.
•Scored eight points with six rebounds at Central Missouri.
•Also scored eight points vs. Northern Michigan.  
•Sat out the 2018-19 season as a redshirt.

    KEVIN TOTUSEK NOTES
•Has played in two games this season.
•Scored one point vs. Minnesota Morris.
•Played in five games in 2018-19 and averaged 1.2 ppg.
•Scored four points vs. Crown (11/24/18).
•Sat out the 2017-18 season as a redshirt.

    HOME AND AWAY
•SMSU is 2-0 at home this season and finishing the 2018-19 season 12-5 at home.
•SMSU is a combined 124-44 at home since the 2007-08 season.
•SMSU is 1-3 in road/neutral site games this season and are a combined 93-89 in 182 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 2018-19:
        W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO    
Home    2-0    53.3    28.2    84.2    34.0    77.5    11.0    
Away    1-3    42.9    38.6    49.3    37.5    64.5    11.5
          
    SMSU PICKED 12TH IN NSIC PRESEASON POLL
•SMSU was picked to finish 12th overall and sixth in the South Division in the 16-team NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
•Minnesota State was chosen as the South Division and overall favorite, while Minnesota Duluth was picked to win the North Division.
•SMSU junior guard Kenny Byers was named a "Player to Watch".

    NSIC SOUTH VS. NSIC NORTH
•SMSU finished with a 5-3 record versus the NSIC North Division in 2018-19 and are a combined 37-19 versus North teams in conference play since divisions were introduced prior to the 2012-13 season.
•SMSU finished 7-1 in 2017-18; 6-2 in 2016-17; 3-5 in 2015-16; 5-3 in 2014-15; 5-3 in 2013-14; and 6-2 in 2012-13.
•The NSIC South holds a 260-188 advantage over NSIC North teams in conference play since divisions were formed in 2012-13, but last season the North finished 38-26. It's the first time in seven seasons the North finished with a winning record.
•Prior to last season, the South Division held the advantage in every season. In 2017-18, (38-26); in 2016-17 (35-29); in 2015-16 (37-27); in 2014-15 (35-29); in 2013-14 (42-22), while in 2012-13 (47-17).

    HOME SWEET HOME
•The 2019-20 season marks the 24th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU men's basketball.
•SMSU has a record of 231-86 (.728) in 317 games with just two losing 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    9-3    8-3    1-0
    2017-18    12-2    10-1    2-1
    2018-19    12-5    7-4    5-1    
    2019-20    2-0    0-0    2-0
    Totals    231-86    151-61    80-25

    CONSECUTIVE 3-POINT GAMES
•Southwest Minnesota State has connected on at least one 3-point field goal in 627 straight games.
•The last time SMSU failed to connect on a 3-pointer was on Dec. 11, 1998, versus MSU Moorhead (0 for 10) at the North Dakota State Classic.

    A LOOK BACK AT SMSU IN 2018-19
•SMSU concluded the 2018-19 season with an 18-14 overall record, placed fifth in the NSIC South Division with a 10-12 mark and finished ninth in the overall standings.
•SMSU won three straight games in the NSIC Tournament to advance to the championship game for the third straight season before losing to Northern State, 72-68.
•SMSU finished the season shooting 48 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3-point range, 81 percent from the free throw line and was minus-5.4 in rebound margin.
•SMSU averaged 80 points per game, while opponents averaged 78 points per game.

    REPLACING ALL-AMERICAN RYAN BRUGGEMAN
•One of several key players SMSU must replace from last season's team is guard Ryan Bruggeman, who closed his career as one of the most decorated players in program history.
•Bruggeman set the program's all-time scoring record with 2,246 points in 128 games. He is also the all-time leader in field goals made, free throws made, assists, free throw percentage and steals.
•A three-time All-NSIC honoree, Bruggeman was a third team All-American in 2018-19 and was selected to play in the NABC/Reese's All-Star game in March.
•Bruggeman finished the conference season ranking first in scoring (27.0), first in steals (2.4), second in field goals made (217), fourth in free throw pct. (92.0), fourth in assists (5.1) and 13th in assist/turnover ratio (1.8).
•He was the sixth SMSU player and the first since 1990-91 to lead the conference in scoring after averaging 27 per game in 22 league games.
•The 27 ppg is the highest scoring average in the NSIC since MSU Moorhead's Greg Duke also averaged 27 ppg in 1996-97.  

    MUSTANGS REACH 100 AND THEN SOME
•SMSU scored 100 or more points three times in 2018-19, defeating Bethany Lutheran, 101-81, Crown College, 100-81 and Minnesota Crookston, 100-78.
•It was the first time SMSU scored 100 or more three times in a season since 2000-01.
•SMSU is 40-8 all-time when scoring 100 points.

    WORKING OVERTIME
•SMSU is 46-39 all-time in overtime games, including 1-0 last season following an 84-78 win over Wayne State on March 4.
•SMSU is 7-6 in double overtime games and 0-2 in triple overtime games all-time.

    SMSU IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
•SMSU has made five NCAA Tournament appearances (2001, 2009, 2012, 2017, 2018) in program history since moving to Division II in 1995-96.
•SMSU is 9-5 all-time in NCAA Tournament games appearing in three region championship games with region titles and Elite Eight appearances in both 2001 and 2009.  

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC
•The 2019-20 campaign marks the 51st season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
•SMSU has an all-time record of 371-397 in 768 conference games, finishing in the top half of the final standings 25 times in 50 seasons.
•SMSU has finished in the top half of the NSIC standings in 17 of the last 23 seasons since 1997-98.
•SMSU has one regular season championship (2000-01) and two tournament championships (2012 and 2017).
•SMSU also won NSIC South Division titles in both 2016-17 and 2017-18.

    MUSTANG HISTORY
•Southwest Minnesota State is in its 53rd season of men's basketball in 2019-20.
•SMSU has played 1,453 games compiling an all-time record of 674-779.
•SMSU has won two NSIC regular season championships (2001 & 2009), two NSIC South Division championships (2017 & 2018), two NSIC tournament championships (2012, 2017), two NCAA region championships (2001 & 2009) and has appeared in five NCAA tournaments (2001, 2009, 2012, 2017, 2018).
•SMSU has recorded 24 winning seasons in program history with 17 coming in the last 21 years.