THIS WEEK
•The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (1-1) travels to Kenosha, Wis., for a pair of games this Friday and Saturday at the Haribo Invitational hosted by the University of Wisconsin Parkside.
•SMSU opens play on Friday taking on Parkside (Wis.) (2-0) with game time set for 7 p.m. The Mustangs close the weekend facing Davenport (Mich.) (2-0) on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. Both games will be played at Parkside's De Simone Gymnasium.
•Both Parkside and Davenport are members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Parkside is a member of the GLIAC North Division, while Davenport is a member of the GLIAC South Division.

    BROADCAST INFO
•Live stats and video broadcast of both games can be found at SMSUmustangs.com.

    SERIES HISTORY VERSUS PARKSIDE AND DAVENPORT
•SMSU will be meeting both Parkside and Davenport for the first time in program history.
•SMSU last played a member of the GLIAC two seasons ago losing to Northern Michigan, 72-63, in Duluth, Minn., on Nov. 16, 2019.  

    SMSU HEAD COACH BRAD BIGLER
•Brad Bigler, the all-time wins leader in program history, is in his 13th season as head coach and has an overall record of 191-154, including 128-119 in NSIC 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 won back-to-back NSIC South Division championships in 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.
•SMSU's 71 combined victories from 2016-19 was the best three-year stretch in program history.
•Bigler's complete bio is found on page 18.
    
    SMSU SPLITS SEASON-OPENING WEEKEND IN ST. PAUL
•Southwest Minnesota State opened the 2021-22 season last weekend splitting a pair of games at the Concordia-St. Paul Classic. SMSU opened with a 63-54 loss to Rogers State (Okla.) last Friday, before earning an 84-58 victory on Saturday over Newman (Kan.).
•SMSU shot just 32 percent in the setback to Rogers State. SMSU had three players reach double figures in scoring with Cliff McCray leading the charge with 14 points. He also had six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
•Jake Phipps scored 12 points, while Anthony Costello added 11 points for the Mustangs.
•Kenny Byers, playing his first game after sitting out last season, scored nine points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
•In the win over Newman, McCray scored a career-high 19 points on 7 of 10 shooting, while Dunwa Omot also poured in a career-high with 15 points on 5 of 6 shooting with three 3-pointers.
•SMSU, which never trailed in the game, shot 56 percent (32 of 57) from the field and was a perfect 15 of 15 from the free throw line setting a school single-game record. The Mustangs also held a 41-24 rebound advantage and held the Jets to just 36 percent (21 of 58) shooting.
•Jake Phipps (15) and Costello (12) both reached double figures in scoring for the Mustangs, while Grant Kramer added nine points and nine rebounds.
•SMSU is shooting 44 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range, 81 percent from the free throw line and is plus-12.0 in rebound margin. SMSU is averaging 69 points per game, while opponents are scoring 61 ppg.

    SMSU SETS PROGRAM SINGLE-GAME RECORD
•This year's Mustang team set a program single-game record in the victory over Newman on Nov. 13 connecting on all 15 free throw attempts in the 84-58 victory. The previous single-game record was a 14 for 14 performance versus Minnesota Crookston  Jan. 18, 2002.  

    KENNY BYERS RETURNS IN 2021-22
•Senior Kenny Byers, who sat out all of last season, returns to the team this season after earning second team All-NSIC in 2019-20.
•Byers led SMSU in nearly every offensive category two seasons ago averaging a team-high 16.3 points per game and ranked first on the team with 6.9 rebounds per game.
•He was the team leader in both assists (95) and steals (43) and closed the season shooting 44.9 percent (180 of 401) from the field and 70.5 percent (86 of 122) from the free throw line.
•His eight double-doubles ranked fifth among all NSIC players during the 2019-20 regular season.
•In NSIC play, Byers ranked fifth in the league in steals (1.5), 10th in scoring (17.3), 12th in rebounding (6.7), 12th in assists (3.5), 16th in assist/turnover ratio (1.1), 18th in field goal percentage (45.0) and 19th in free throw percentage (75.2).

    SCOUTING PARKSIDE
•Parkside is 2-0 on the season following victories last weekend over Lindenwood (Mo.), 79-75 and Illinios Springfield, 92-79.  
•The Rangers were picked to finish third in the six-team GLIAC North Division.
•Tray Croft is averaging 31 points with seven 3-pointers in two games this season.
•Parkside head coach Luke Reigel is in his 17th season and has led the Rangers to six NCAA Tournaments. He is the program's all-time leader in victories.    
•Parkside is shooting 49 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3-point range, 87 percent from the free throw line and is plus-14 in rebound margin.
•Parkside is averaging 86 points per game, while opponents are averaging 77 points per game.

    SCOUTING DAVENPORT
•Davenport is 2-0 on the season and will play Upper Iowa on Friday before taking on SMSU. The Panthers are in their fifth season at the Division II level.  
•Davenport, picked to finish third in the GLIAC South Division, defeated Rockhurst and William Jewell last weekend in Kansas City, Mo.
•DU head coach Burt Paddock is in his 14th season with a record of 321-109.    
•The Panthers' Chris Rollins is averaging 18.5 ppg and shooting 61 percent from the field.
•DU is shooting 51 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range, 65 percent from the free throw line and is plus-5.5 in rebound margin.
•DU is averaging 76 points per game, while opponents are averaging 66 points per game.
 
    SMSU PICKED 7TH IN NSIC PRESEASON POLL
•SMSU was picked to finish 13th overall and seventh in the South Division in the 16-team NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
•SMSU senior guard Kenny Byers was named a "Player to Watch".
•Minnesota State and Wayne State each were chosen as the South Division favorites. MSU Moorhead was selected as the overall preseason favorite.  

    NEW LOOK NSIC FORMAT TOURNAMENT  
•SMSU is set to play 22 conference games this season, including two versus each team within the NSIC South Division and one each versus the NSIC North Division.
•New this season, the men's teams will play first, followed by the women's game in half of the NSIC doubleheaders.
•Also new this season, the NSIC Sanford Tournament will feature just 12 teams, with the top six in each division qualifying for the tournament. The top two teams in each division receive a spot in the quarterfinals.
•The quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game will all be played at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

    MUSTANG 20-POINT GAMES  
•Two current SMSU players, senior Kenny Byers along with sophomore Jake Phipps have scored 20 or more points in a game during their careers.
•Byers reached 20 points nine times during the 2019-20 season and has 11 times in his career, which includes one 30-point game.
•Phipps reached 20 points in the season finale versus Sioux Falls last season.
20 or More Point Games in Career
    33    Kenny Byers    Minnesota Crookston, 1/31/20
    27    Kenny Byers    St. Cloud State, 12/13/19
    24    Kenny Byers    Wayne State, 1/4/20
    24    Kenny Byers    Minnesota Duluth, 12/14/19
    23    Kenny Byers    Minnesota State, 1/11/20
    23    Kenny Byers    Sioux Falls, 12/21/19
    22    Jake Phipps    Sioux Falls, 2/21/21
    21    Kenny Byers    Concordia-St. Paul, 1/10/20
    21    Kenny Byers    Augustana, 1/3/20
    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 2021-22 season

    LOGAN BENSON NOTES
•Has started both games and has scored two points.
•Played in seven games with two starts last season.
•Scored two points and grabbed two rebounds vs. Minnesota State (1/24/21)
•Sat out the 2019-20 season as a redshirt.

    KENNY BYERS NOTES
•Has started both games and is averaging 8.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
•Sat out the 2020-21 season.
•Started all 29 games in 2019-20 and led team in scoring (16.3), rebounding (6.9), assists (95) and steals (43).
•Named second team All-NSIC in 2019-20.
•Scored 20 or more points nine times and recorded eight double-doubles in 2019-20.
•Scored career-high 33 points at Minnesota Crookston (1/31/20).  
•Grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds vs. Minnesota Duluth (12/14/19).
•Named to the 2019 NSIC All-Tournament team.

    NOAH CHAMBERLAIN NOTES
•Has played in two games with one rebound this season.
•Played in eight games with two starts last season and averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg.
•Scored season-high seven points vs. Minot State (1/8/21) on 3 of 3 shooting with one 3-pointer.
•Scored five points vs. Minnesota State (1/24/21).
•Sat out the 2019-20 season as a redshirt.

    ANTHONY COSTELLO NOTES
•Has played in two games and is averaging 11.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg.
•Scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds vs. Newman (11/13/21).
•Poured in 11 points on five field goals vs. Rogers State (11/12/21).
•Played in eight games with two starts last season and averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg.

    ALEX HILLESHEIM NOTES
•Has played in one game this season.
•Played in five games averaged 4.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg.
•Scored career-high 13 points on five field goals and grabbed a career-high six rebounds vs. Minnesota State (1/24/21).

    GRANT KRAMER NOTES
•Has started both games and is averaging 6.0 ppg and a team-high 8.5 rpg.
•Scored nine points vs. Newman (11/13/21).
•Played in five games with three starts last season after missing the first six games due to injury.
•Played in 20 games with 11 starts in 2019-20 and averaged 7.2 ppg and 2.9 rpg.
•Scored career-high 18 points on a career-high seven field goals with four 3-pointers at Northern State (2/26/20).
•Scored 17 points with five 3-pointers versus both Wayne State (2/21/20) and Augustana (2/22/20).
•Career-high 11 rebounds at Minnesota State (1/12/19).
•Sat out the 2017-18 season as a redshirt.

    CLIFF MCCRAY NOTES
•Has started both games and is averaging 16.5 ppg with a team-high nine assists.
•Scored a career-high 19 points vs. Newman (11/13/21) on 7 of 10 shooting.
•Played and started nine games in 2020-21 and averaged 7.7 ppg and a team-high 6.0 rpg.
•Led the team with 41 assists.
•Started all 28 games in 2019-20 and averaged 8.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg in 2019-20.
•One of two true freshman to play in 2019-20.

    LANCE MOSLEY NOTES
•Has played in one game this season.
•Played in three games last season and scored two points vs. Minnesota State (1/23/21).

    DUNWA OMOT NOTES
•Has played in two games and is averaging 7.5 ppg and 1.5 rpg.
•Scored a career-high 15 points on 5 of 6 shooting with three 3-pointers vs. Newman (11/13/21).
•Played in four games and averaged 1.3 ppg and 0.8 rpg in 2020-21.

    JAKE PHIPPS NOTES
•Has started two games is averaging 13.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg.
•Scored 15 points vs. Newman (11/13/21) on 7 of 10 shooting.
•Started 10 of 11 games in 2020-21 and averaged 11.1 ppg and 4.6 rpg.
•Tied career-high with 18 points at Minot State (1/3/21) and at Augustana (2/7/21).
•Appeared in all 29 games with three starts in 2019-20 and averaged 7.2 ppg and 3.8 rpg.
•Shot a team-high 63.3 percent from the field in 2019-20 ranking third in team history.
•Career-high 10 rebounds at Bemidji State (2/1/20).
•Career-high five blocked shots vs. Concordia (1/10/20).
•Sat out the 2018-19 season as a redshirt.

    SAM SCHWARTZ NOTES
•Has played in two games and is averaging 3.5 ppg and 2.0 rpg.
•Played in nine games with four starts in 2020-21 and averaged 9.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg.
•Scored career-high 15 points with six field goals vs. Sioux Falls (2/21/21).
•Hit three 3-pointers twice vs. Minot State (1/8-9/21).
•Sat out the 2019-20 season as a redshirt.

    JONATHAN ZINNIEL NOTES
•Has played in one game and scored two points vs. Newman (11/13/21).
•Played in three games in 2020-21 and had one rebound.  

    HOME AND AWAY
•SMSU finished 2-6 at home last season after finishing 4-9 in 2019-20.
•SMSU is a combined 128-59 at home since the 2007-08 season.
•SMSU is 1-1 in road/neutral site games this season and are a combined 98-101 in 199 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 2021-22:
        W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO    
Home    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    
Away    1-1    43.7    32.0    81.3    41.0    69.0    15.5   

    NSIC SOUTH VS. NSIC NORTH
•SMSU did not have any conference games versus NSIC North Division teams in 2020-21.
•SMSU finished 3-5 versus NSIC North Division teams in 2019-20 and is a combined 40-24 versus North teams in conference play since divisions were introduced prior to the 2012-13 season.
•The 2019-20 season was just the second time in eight seasons SMSU had a losing record versus the North Division.
•SMSU finished with a 5-3 record versus the NSIC North Division in 2018-19. SMSU was 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 South finished with a 34-30 advantage in 2019-20.
•Through eight seasons of conference play, the NSIC South holds a 294-218 advantage over NSIC North teams since divisions were formed in 2012-13.  
•The 2018-19 season is the only year in which the North has held an advantage versus the South.  

    HOME SWEET HOME
•The 2021-22 season marks the 26th year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU men's basketball.
•SMSU has a record of 235-101 (.699) in 336 games with three 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    4-9    2-9    2-0
    2020-21    2-6    1-5    1-1
    2021-22    -    -    -
    Totals    235-101    154-75    81-26

    CONSECUTIVE 3-POINT GAMES
•Southwest Minnesota State has made on at least one 3-point field goal in 663 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.

    MUSTANGS AND THE CENTURY MARK
•SMSU did not reach 100 points in 2020-21 and last scored 100 points on Feb. 1, 2019, versus Minnesota Crookston.
•SMSU is 40-8 all-time when scoring 100 points, including 8-2 under head coach Brad Bigler.

    WORKING OVERTIME
•SMSU finished 1-0 in overtime games in 2020-21 defeating Sioux Falls in the season finale, 76-69.
•SMSU is 48-39 all-time in overtime games.
•SMSU is 7-6 in double overtime games and is 1-2 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.  

    SEASON OPENERS
•SMSU is now 29-26 all-time in season openers following this season's loss to Rogers State.
•SMSU has opened the season on the road six times in the last seven seasons.

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC
•The 2020-21 campaign marked the 52nd season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
•SMSU has an all-time record of 378-421 in 799 conference games (through 2021), finishing in the top half of the final standings 25 times in 51 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 55th season of men's basketball in 2021-22.
•SMSU has played 1,489 games compiling an all-time record of 683-806.
•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 24 years.