THIS WEEKEND
•The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team opens the 2026-27 regular season with a pair of games this Friday and Saturday at the MIAA/NSIC Challenge in St. Paul, Minn. Both games will take place at the Gangelhoff Center on the campus of Concordia University.
•SMSU opens play on Friday facing Fort Hays State University (Kan.) with game time set for 4 p.m. before closing the weekend on Saturday with a 2 p.m. match-up versus the University of Nebraska Kearney (0-1). Both schools are members of the Mid-American Athletic Association (MIAA). 
•SMSU is coming off a 16-12 season, including a third-place finish in the NSIC with a record of 14-8. 
•FHSU finished 19-10 overall, 11-8 MIAA, a season ago, while UNK was 13-17 overall, 6-13 MIAA. UNK opened the season on Monday suffering a 75-62 road loss to Wayne State. 
•This season marks the 60th for SMSU men's basketball compiling a record of 769-863. 
•SMSU has recorded 29 winning seasons in program history with 22 coming in the last 29 years. 

    BROADCAST INFO 
•Neither game this weekend will air on local radio. Most games in 2026-27 will be broadcast on 105.1 FM KARL with Ryan Rohlik providing play-by-play.
•Both games this weekend will be streamed on Midco Sports Plus and are available via pay-per-view at midcosportsplus.com. 

    SMSU HEAD COACH BRAD BIGLER 
•Head coach Brad Bigler, the program's all-time leader in victories, is in his 18th season with an overall record of 277-211, including 194-161 in NSIC play.  
•SMSU has played in five NCAA tournaments (2012, 2017, 2018, 2024, 2025) during his tenure as head coach. 
•SMSU won a share of the 2024-25 NSIC regular season championship, captured NSIC tournament titles in 2012 and 2017 and won back-to-back NSIC South Division championships in 2016-17 and 2017-18. During his time as head coach, SMSU has played in five NSIC tournament championship games (2010, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019). 
•The 2012-13 and 2016-17 NSIC Coach of the Year, Bigler has led SMSU to 11 winning seasons, with one 28-win season, one 25-win season, and four seasons of 19-or-more victories. 
•The 11th head coach in team history, Bigler spent six seasons (2003-09) as an assistant coach at SMSU, including the last three as associate head coach. 

    SERIES HISTORY VERSUS FORT HAYS STATE 
•SMSU and Fort Hays State meet for the ninth time with the series tied 4-4. 
•The teams last played a season ago in Hays, Kan., with FHSU earning a 65-56 victory. 
•FHSU has won the only game played in Hays, earning a 76-75 victory on Nov. 14, 2015.   
•Friday's game will be the third straight year and seventh all-time that SMSU has opened a season versus FHSU. 
•SMSU is 21-15 all-time versus current members of the MIAA. 
•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 3-4 all-time versus FHSU. 
•A complete game-by-game listing can be found on page 16. 

    SERIES HISTORY VERSUS NEBRASKA KEARNEY 
•SMSU and Nebraska Kearney meet for the fifth time with UNK leading 3-1. 
•UNK defeated SMSU, 77-75, a season ago in Hays, Kan.  
•SMSU earned its lone victory over UNK on Nov. 9, 2024, in Marshall. 
•SMSU is 21-15 all-time versus current members of the MIAA. 
•SMSU head coach Brad Bigler is 1-1 all-time versus UNK. 
•A complete game-by-game listing can be found on page 16.

    SHAW EARNS ALL-NSIC HONORS IN 2025-26 
•Fifth year Mekhi Shaw earned All-NSIC second team honors last season after averaging 11.9 ppg with 77 assists and a team-high 57 steals. 
•In conference play, Shaw finished third in the league in steals and 13th in assists.
•Shaw begins the season having played in 90 games with 12 starts and has scored 726 points and 197 assists. He ranks seventh in team history with 147 steals. 

    ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE IN 2026-27   
•SMSU returns seven letter winners and three starters from last season's squad that finished 16-12 overall and tied for third in both the overall and division standings at 14-8. The team also welcomes back senior guard Steven Kramer, who started 30 games in 2024-25, but missed all last season with an injury.
•Senior forward Aeron Stevens was named an NSIC 'Player to Watch' this season. Stevens, named All-NSIC second team in 2024-25, ranked second on the team in scoring last season (12.5), while shooting 45 percent (122 of 272) from the field and connecting on 20 3-pointers. He led the squad with 73 free throws made and was second with 21 blocked shots.
•Fifth year guard Mekhi Shaw averaged 11.9 ppg, while shooting 47 percent (128 of 275) from the field. He led the team with 57 steals and was second in assists with 77. 
•Junior forward Micah Schlaak, in his first season in uniform in 2025-26, led the team with 58 3-pointers, ranked first in blocked shots (40), was second in rebounding (4.9) and fourth in scoring (11.4). He closed the season shooting 52 percent (115 of 222) from the field.
•Kramer returns after starting all 30 games in 2024-25 and averaging 9.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg. He shot 44 percent (103 of 234) from the field and 83 percent (75 of 90) from the free throw line. 
•Junior guard Landon Pokorski played in every game with 22 starts last season and averaged 5.5 ppg with 31 3-pointers and 53 assists.
•Sophomore forward Brayson Boike played in all 28 games with six starts a season ago and averaged 3.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg. 
•Senior guard Buay Koak returns after seeing limited time the past two seasons, while senior forward Calvin Buss, who played in all 28 games last season, is expected to miss this season due to an offseason injury.
•The roster also features six freshman who will compete for playing time. 

  MUSTANG TIP-OFF TIDBITS    
•SMSU set a school record with 119 blocked shots last season. 
•SMSU shot 48.5 percent from the field last season, its highest percentage since the 2017-18 squad shot 48.9.
•SMSU connected on 247 3-pointers last season, which was its highest total since the 2018-19 team made a school record 298.

    SMSU IN THE FINAL 2025-26 NCAA STATS   
•Below is where SMSU ranked (top 50) and Mustang individuals (top 75) ranked in the final 2025-26 NCAA statistics. 
    *1st, fouls per game (12.4)
    *5th, 3-point field goal pct. (39.2)
    *29th, blocks per game (4.4)
    *32nd, scoring defense (67.7)
    *33rd, steals per game (8.9)
    *39th, turnovers per game (10.9)
    *42nd, field goal pct. (47.6)
    *Mekhi Shaw, 46th in steals per game (2.0)
    *Micah Schlaak, 52nd blocks per game (1.4)
    *Micah Schlaak, 66th blocks (40)
•A complete listing of where SMSU ranked in the NCAA statistics can be found on pages 13-14. 

    SMSU IN THE FINAL 2025-26 NSIC STATS
•In the final 2025-26 NSIC rankings (league games only), SMSU ranked 1st in 3-point field goal pct., 2nd in scoring defense, 2nd in field goal pct., 2nd in opponent field goal pct. and 5th in opponent 3-point field goal pct. 
•Mekhi Shaw finished 3rd in steals and 13th in assists.  
•Micah Schlaak ranked first in 3-point field goal pct., fourth in both steals and blocked shots and 11th in 3-point field goals per game.
•Aeron Stevens closed ranking ninth in blocked shots.  

    MUSTANGS MOVE UP IN THE RECORD BOOK  
•Fifth year Mekhi Shaw ranks seventh in team history in steals (147). 
•Senior Aeron Stevens ranks sixth all-time in free throws made (292) and seventh in free throws attempted (400). 
•Junior Michal Schlaak shot 47.5 percent from 3-point range last season ranking as the fourth highest in team single-season history. Schlaak's 40 blocked shots last season ranks seventh in team single-season history. 
•See charts on page 4.

    NSIC PRESEASON POLL; STEVENS EARNS HONOR 
•SMSU was picked to finish third in the South Division and fourth overall in the 2026-27 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
•Senior forward Aeron Stevens was named a 'Player to Watch' in the NSIC. 

    MUSTANG CAREER 20-POINT GAMES 
•Five current SMSU players senior Aeron Stevens, fifth year Mekhi Shaw, senior Steven Kramer, junior Landon Pokorski and junior Micah Schlaak have scored 20 or more points in a game during their careers.
•Stevens has reached the 20-point mark 13 times, (with one 30-point game), Shaw three times, Kramer  and Schlaak has reached the mark twice, while Pokorski has once. 
20 or More Point Games in 2025-26
    31    Aeron Stevens    Minnesota Crookston, 1/24
    26    Aeron Stevens    Nebraska Kearney, 11/16
    23     Aeron Stevens    Jamestown, 1/30
    23    Micah Schlaak    UMary, 1/17
    23    Mekhi Shaw    Minnesota State, 12/18
    22    Mekhi Shaw    Augustana, 2/19
    22    Mekhi Shaw    Sioux Falls, 1/3
    21    Micah Schlaak    Winona State, 12/14
    21    Aeron Stevens    MSU Moorhead, 11/29
    20    Landon Pokorski    Jamestown, 1/30
    
    BRAYSON BOIKE NOTES 
•Played in all 28 games with six starts and averaged 3.3 ppg with 16 3-pointers in 2025-26.
•Made two 3-pointers in three games. 
•Scored season-high 11 points with season-high seven rebounds vs. North Central (12/8).

    CALVIN BUSS NOTES 
•Is expected to miss this season due to an injury suffered during the offseason. 
•Played in all 28 games with one start in 2025-26 averaging 2.9 rpg and 2.4 ppg.
•Season-high seven points vs. Concordia-St. Paul (2/14).  
•Played in 29 games with one start in 2024-25 and averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.8 rpg. 
•Grabbed career-high nine rebounds at Wayne State (2/11/25).  
•Scored career-high 11 points on 5 of 5 shooting in first career start vs. Briar Cliff (11/30/24).
•Sat out the 2023-24 season as a redshirt.

    DREW HJELMELAND NOTES 
•Sat out as a redshirt in 2025-26.

    LOGAN JUNKERMEIER NOTES 
•In his first season at SMSU in 2026-27.

    BUAY KOAK NOTES 
•Played in five games and scored 12 points in 2025-26. 
•Scored four points vs. North Central (12/8). 
•Made two 3-pointers. 
•Played in three games during the 2024-25 season.
•Sat out the 2023-24 season as a redshirt.

    STEVEN KRAMER NOTES 
•Missed the 2025-26 season due to injury. 
•Started all 30 games averaging 9.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 2024-25.
•Tied career-high with 21 points, including 10 of 10 from the free throw line at Wayne State (2/11/25).
•Spent two seasons (2022-24) at the University South Dakota.
•Played in 31 games with five starts in 2023-24 averaging 2.7 ppg and 2.4 rpg.
•Closed the 2023-24 season dishing out 50 assists and recording 10 steals.

    ISAIAH MAHAL NOTES 
•Sat out as a redshirt in 2025-26.

    DANIEL MEKONNEN NOTES 
•In his first season at SMSU in 2026-27.

    ETHAN MILLER NOTES 
•In his first season at SMSU in 2026-27.

    KALE MISEGADES NOTES 
•In his first season at SMSU in 2026-27.

    LANDON POKORSKI NOTES 
•Played in all 28 games with 22 starts in 2025-26, while averaging 5.5 ppg with 31 3-pointers.  
•Scored career-high 20 points with four 3-pointers at Jamestown (1/30/26). 
•Scored 12 points vs. Wayne State (12/6) with four 3-pointers. 
•Only true freshman to play in 2024-25 appearing in 15 games averaging 4.7 ppg and 1.7 rpg with 14 3-pointers. 

    LUKE ROSCHEN NOTES 
•In his first season at SMSU in 2026-27.

    MICAH SCHLAAK NOTES 
•Played in all 28 games with 22 starts in 2025-26 averaging 11.4 ppg, while making a team-high 58 3-pointers. 
•Shot 47.5 percent from 3-point range ranking fourth in team single-season history. 
•Scored career-high 23 points with five 3-pointers vs. UMary (1/17/26). 
•Redshirted during the 2024-25 season.

    MEKHI SHAW NOTES 
•Named All-NSIC second team in 2025-26. 
•Played all 28 games with six starts last season averaging 11.9 ppg with 77 assists and team-high 57 steals.  
•Scored career-high 23 points with 10 field goals vs. Minnesota State (12/18/25). 
•Played in all 30 games in 2024-25 with six starts while averaging 7.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg and leading the team with 53 steals and finishing second with 76 assists. 
•Played in 32 games in 2023-24 averaging 4.9 ppg.  
•Redshirted during the 2022-23 season.

    AERON STEVENS NOTES 
•Started 27 games and averaged 12.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 2025-26. Missed one game due to injury. 
•Scored career-high 31 points on 10 of 16 shooting vs. Minnesota Crookston (1/24/26).
•Scored 26 points on 9 of 16 shooting versus Nebraska Kearney (11/16). 
•Started 29 games in 2024-25 and averaged 13.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg, while earning All-NSIC second team honors. 
•Scored 29 points vs. Fort Hays State (11/8/24) with 14 free throws made. 
•Played in all 32 games in 2023-24 averaging 11.8 ppg and finished second on team with 4.9 rpg.
•Set freshman program record for free throws made (127) and free throw attempts (174) in a season in 2023-24. 

    TALEN WITT NOTES 
•In his first season at SMSU in 2026-27.

    HOME AND AWAY IN 2025-26 
•SMSU finished 10-2 at home last season and has a home record of 150-72 under head coach Brad Bigler. 
•SMSU, which finished 6-10 road/neutral site games a season ago, is 127-139 in road/neutral site games during the Bigler era.
•The following is a statistical comparison of the Mustang team averages for home and away/neutral games in 2025-26: 
        W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO    
Home    10-2    52.8    45.4    65.4    32.8    78.5    10.9     
Away    6-10    45.3    35.1    71.1    31.6    68.8    10.7     

    HOME SWEET HOME 
•The 2026-27 season marks the 31st year the R/A Facility has served as the home arena for SMSU men's basketball. 
•SMSU has an all-time record of 282-119 (.703) in 401 games with 26 winning 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    6-5    5-5    1-0
    2022-23    10-5    8-3    2-2
    2023-24    9-3    8-3    1-0
    2024-25    12-3    8-3    4-0
    2025-26    10-2    9-2    1-0
    2026-27    0-0    0-0    0-0
    Totals    282-119    192-91    90-28

    MUSTANGS AND THE CENTURY MARK 
•SMSU recorded a 104-68 win over North Central University last season, the only time SMSU reached 100 points in 2025-26.
•SMSU is 42-8 all-time when scoring 100 points, including 10-2 under head coach Brad Bigler. 

    WORKING OVERTIME 
•SMSU finished 1-1 in overtime games last season following a 69-66 non-conference win over Jamestown on Nov. 30, 2025, and a 74-71 loss at Jamestown in NSIC play on Jan. 30, 2026.
•SMSU is 52-46 all-time in overtime games. 
•SMSU is 8-6 in double overtime and 1-3 in triple overtime games all-time. 

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
•Since moving to Division II in 1995-96, SMSU has made seven NCAA tournament appearance in program history with the last in 2024-25.
•SMSU, 9-7 all-time in NCAA tournament games, has appeared in three region championship games, winning titles and advancing to the Elite Eight in 2001 and 2009. 
•SMSU hosted the NCAA Central Region Tournament in 2009.   

    SMSU ALL-TIME IN THE NSIC 
•The 2026-27 campaign is the 58th season SMSU has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. 
•SMSU has an all-time record of 443-462 in 905 conference games, finishing in the top half of the standings 29 times in 57 seasons. 
•SMSU has won three regular season championships (2000-01, 2008-09 and 2024-25), two South Division titles (2016-17, 2017-18) and two tournament championships (2012, 2017). 

    MUSTANG HISTORY 
•SMSU is in its 60th season of men's basketball in 2026-27 and has played 1,632 games compiling a record of 769-863. 
•SMSU has won three NSIC regular season championships (2001, 2009, 2025), two NSIC South Division championships (2017 & 2018), two NSIC tournament championships (2012, 2017), two NCAA region championships (2001 & 2009) and has appeared in seven NCAA tournaments (2001, 2009, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2024, 2025).
•SMSU has recorded 29 winning seasons in program history with 22 coming in the last 29 years. 

    SCOUTING FORT HAYS STATE
•The Tigers finished the 2025-26 season 19-10 overall, 11-8 MIAA, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the MIAA tournament.
•FHSU was picked fourth in the 2026-27 preseason MIAA media poll and eighth in the coaches' poll. 
•Senior guard Jahvari Martino headlines the returners for the Tigers after averaging 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game last year.
•In 2025-26, FHSU shot 47 percent from the field, 33 percent from 3-point range, 70 percent from the free throw line and was plus-2.6 in rebound margin.
•FHSU averaged 71 points per game, while opponents averaged 63 points per game.
•Head coach Mark Johnson is in his 26th season with a record of 492-240. He is the program's all-time leader in victories and has led the Tigers to nine NCAA tournament appearances and four league championships. 

    SCOUTING NEBRASKA KEARNEY
•UNK finished 13-17, 6-13 MIAA, a season ago, missing the MIAA tournament. 
•UNK was picked to finish 11th in both the MIAA preseason coaches' and media polls.  
•The Lopers suffered a 75-62 road loss to Wayne State on Monday. Zeek Brown came off the bench to score 16 points on 6 of 7 shooting with four 3-pointers. 
•Senior guard/forward Clayton Moore is the team's top returning scorer after averaging 7.9 ppg in 2025-26.
•In 2025-26, UNK shot 44 percent from the field, 33 percent from 3-point range, 80 percent from the free throw line and was minus-1.1 in rebound margin.
•UNK averaged 78 points per game, while opponents averaged 83 points per game.
•Head coach Marty Levinson is in his third season with a record of 25-34.