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Redshirt freshman Scott Roehl goes up for a shot earlier this season versus Upper Iowa

SMSU Concludes Regular Season at Concordia and MSU Moorhead

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    Southwest This Week: The Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball team (15-10, 10-6 NSIC) concludes the regular season this weekend with a pair of critical Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference road games.  SMSU is not only looking to lock down the No. 3 seed in the upcoming NSIC tournament, it also has aspirations of earning an NCAA tournament bid.  SMSU begins the week ranked No. 10 in the latest regional rankings.  The next rankings will be announced on Feb. 20.
     SMSU will battle Concordia University (14-11, 8-8 NSIC) on Friday, Feb. 22 in St. Paul, before traveling to Moorhead to face Minnesota State University Moorhead(14-11, 7-9 NSIC) on Saturday, Feb. 23.  Both games are slated to begin at 8 p.m.

     Broadcast Information: All SMSU men's basketball games can be heard on KARL, 105.1 FM.  The games can also be heard via the Internet at www.SMSUmustangs.com.  Live streaming video of all SMSU home games and NSIC road games will be available on the Internet.  Northern Sun TV is the live and on-demand video service available by subscription at www.NorthernSun.tv.  Live statistics are also available for all home games at www.SMSUmustangs.com.

     Mustangs Secure Home Tournament Game: SMSU, currently in sole possession of third in the NSIC standings, has clinched a home game in the upcoming NSIC tournament on Saturday, Mar. 1.  SMSU will now be hosting a first round tournament game for the seventh time in the nine-year history of the tournament.

     SMSU in the Last Nine NSIC Games: After losing three straight NSIC games in early January, SMSU has won seven of its last nine conference games and is currently in third place.  In the last nine games, SMSU opponents are averaging just 63.1 points per game and shooting 37.7 percent (49 of 130) from three-point range.  SMSU sophomore forward Kevin Andrews was inserted into the starting line-up during the recent streak and in the seven games he is averaging 12.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 65.5 percent (38 of 58) from the field.

     SMSU in the Regional Poll: Southwest Minnesota State was ranked 10th in the third NCAA regional poll that was released on Feb. 13 (see chart on right).  The top eight teams qualify for the NCAA tournament in mid-March.  The next poll regional poll will be released Feb. 20.

     The Concordia Series: Southwest Minnesota State and Concordia meet for the 19th time on Friday with SMSU leading 15-3 including 6-2 in games played in St. Paul.  SMSU won the first 11 games of the series before CSP won its first game during the 2004-05 season.  SMSU has won four of the last five games including earlier this season 74-50 in Marshall on Jan. 19.  SMSU earned a 70-64 victory in last season's game in St. Paul. 

     Last Time Versus Concordia: Southwest Minnesota State limited Concordia to just 18 points on 25.9 percent shooting in the first half and earned a 74-50 victory on Jan. 19 in Marshall.  SMSU led by as many as 32 points in the second half.  SMSU's Ross DeMasi recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Kevin Andrews and Travis Krenske each added 13 points.  James Metcalf paced CSP with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

     About Concordia:  Concordia has won four it its past six games and is currently in fifth place in the NSIC standings.  Craig Heiman leads the Golden Bears in scoring with 17.4 points per game and also leads the team with 51 three-pointers.  James Metcalf is averaging 10.8 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game.
     Head coach Kelly Boe is in his second season with a record of 35-19.

     The MSU Moorhead Series: Southwest Minnesota State and MSU Moorhead meet for the 87th time with MSUM leading 51-35 including 28-11 in games played in Moorhead.  The two teams have split the past 10 overall meetings including the last six played in Moorhead dating back to the 2001-02 season.  SMSU rallied for 69-64 win earlier this season in Marshall on Jan. 18.  MSUM defeated SMSU 58-56 last season in Moorhead. 

     Last Time Versus MSU Moorhead: Southwest Minnesota State scored the game's final 12 points in the final 2:27 to earn a 69-64 victory on Jan. 18 in Marshall.  The Mustangs' Travis Krenske scored a career-high 26 points on 9 of 11 shooting including 6 of 8 from three-point range.  Justyn Burgess led MSUM with 21 points.

     About MSU Moorhead: MSU Moorhead has lost four of its past five games and is in sixth place in the NSIC standings.  Justyn Burgess leads the Dragons averaging 13.3 points per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.  Jamal O'Neal is also scoring in double figures with 10.0 per game and leads the club with 6.8 rebounds per game.
     Head coach Stu Engen is in his sixth season with a record of 82-84.

     Andrews Earns Academic All-District Honors: SMSU sophomore Kevin Andrew was named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V College Division third team on Feb. 7.  The College Division District V team consists of student-athletes from NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools from the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.  Sports information directors in the district select the all-academic team.  Andrews has compiled a 3.86 GPA while majoring in accounting. 

     About Southwest Minnesota State: Southwest Minnesota State is 15-10 overall, 10-6 NSIC, and has won seven of its last nine conference games since a three-game losing streak in early January.  Senior Matt Fletcher leads the team with 14.1 points per game and continues to lead the team with 73 three-pointers.  Senior Travis Krenske is averaging 13.1 points and has connected on 62 three-pointers.  Krenske leads the team with 63 assists and ranks second with 35 steals.  Junior Ross DeMasi is averaging 9.5 ppg, leads the team with 6.7 rebounds per game and is also shooting a team-high 59.7 percent from the field.  Sophomore Kevin Andrews is averaging 9.0 points and shooting 52 percent.  The Mustangs are averaging 70.9 ppg while allowing opponents to score 66 ppg.  SMSU is shooting 45 percent (619 of 1377) from the field including 39.1 percent (183 of 468) from three-point range.  The Mustangs have outrebounded its opponents in 20 of 25 games by an average of 4.4 per game. 

     Mustang Team & Player Tip-Ins...: SMSU tied a season-high with 11 three-pointers vs. Wayne (Feb. 18) ... SMSU tied a season-low with just 17 field goals made vs. Winona State (Feb. 9) ... SMSU's 54 points vs. Winona State (Feb. 9) tied for the second lowest this season ... SMSU recorded 13 steals in both victories against Minn., Crookston (Jan. 25) and Bemidji State (Jan. 26) ... SMSU shots a season-high 92.9 percent from the free throw line vs. Northern State (Feb. 2) ... SMSU shot a season-low 32.7 percent vs. Minnesota, Crookston (Jan. 25) ... SMSU scored a season-high 88 points vs. Upper Iowa (Feb. 8) ... SMSU committed a season-low six turnovers vs. Bemidji State (Jan. 26) ... SMSU forced a season-high 22 turnovers versus Mary (Dec. 8) ... SMSU attempted a season-high 30 free throws vs. Upper Iowa (Jan. 5) ... SMSU held Mary (Dec. 8) to just 13.6 percent shooting (3 of 22) in the second half, while limiting Minnesota Duluth (Dec. 16) to just 20 percent (7 of 35) shooting in the second half ... Mary's 40 points (Dec. 8) was the lowest output by an SMSU opponent this season ... SMSU committed a season-high 20 turnovers vs. Lynn (Dec. 29) ... Matt Fletcher, Travis Krenske and Ross DeMasi are the only three players to start all 25 games this season ... Andy Beilke scored a season-high eight points vs. St. Cloud State (Dec. 20) and grabbed a career-high eight rebounds vs. Lynn (Dec. 29) ... Kevin Andrews scored a career-high 23 points versus Mary (Feb. 1) ... Nick Dale tied a season-high with nine points vs. Lynn (Dec. 29) and set a career-high playing in 18 minutes vs. Lynn (Dec. 29) ... Matt Fletcher played in his 100th career game on Dec. 20 becoming the 16th SMSU player to reach the century mark.  He now has played in 113 games and ranks 10th all-time ... Taylor Huseby scored a career-high 10 points vs. Wayne State (Feb. 16) and pulled down a career-high six rebounds vs. Winona State (Feb. 9) ... Travis Krenske scored a career-high 26 points versus MSU Moorhead (Jan. 18) as he drilled a career-high six three-pointers ... Travis Krenske was named NSIC Player of the Week on Jan. 21 ... Ryan Krome scored a career-high 21 points vs. Minnesota State, Mankato (Jan. 22) ... Ryan Krome recorded a career-high seven steals vs. Minnesota, Crookston (Jan. 25) ... Scott Roehl scored a career-high 13 points vs. St. Cloud State (Dec. 20).

     Consecutive Three-Point Games: Southwest Minnesota State has connected on at least one three-point field goal in 277 straight games.  The last time SMSU failed to score a three-pointer was on Dec. 11, 1998 versus MSU Moorhead.

     SMSU From Downtown...Yes!: SMSU has connected on 183 three-pointers this season compared to 145 by its opponents.  SMSU has made the same or more three-pointers than its opponents in 17 of its 25 games this season.

     SMSU in the NSIC Stats: The following is where SMSU ranks in the latest NSIC statistics for conference games only through Feb. 18:
Rebound Margin    1st    +4.2
Scoring Defense    3rd    64.5
Scoring Offense    3rd    70.1
Free Throw Pct.    3rd    71.0
Three-Point FG Pct.    3rd    39.1
Field Goal Pct.    4th    45.5
Field Goal Pct. Defense    9th    47.6

Matt Fletcher, Free Throw Pct.        1st, 90.6
Ross DeMasi, Field Goal Pct.        2nd, 58.8
Ryan Krome, Steals/game        2nd, 1.88
Matt Fletcher, Three-Point/game    2nd, 2.63
Kevin Andrews, Field Goal Pct.        4th, 55.5
Travis Krenske, Three-Point/game    4th, 2.31
Ross DeMasi, Rebounding        5th, 6.6
Travis Krenske, Steals/game        6th, 1.44
Matt Fletcher, Scoring        8th, 14.0

     Mustangs in Overall NSIC Stats: In ALL games played, SMSU has several players ranking high in the conference statistics.  Ross DeMasi ranks second in field goal pct. (59.7) and third in rebounding (6.7), while Matt Fletcher (88.4) and Travis Krenske (85.0) rank one and three respectively in free throw shooting.  Fletcher is also second in three-point fields made per game (2.92) while Krenske is fourth (2.48). 

     SMSU in the NCAA Stats: The following is where SMSU and one Mustang (top 100) rank in the latest NCAA statistics released on Feb. 18 (261 teams):
Turnover/Game    11th    12.5
Scoring Defense    47th    66.0
Three-Point Field Goal Pct.    36th    39.1
Rebound Margin    43rd    4.4
Free Throw Pct.    80th    70.8
Scoring Margin    89th    4.9
Three-Point Field Goal/Game    99th    7.3
Field Goal Pct.    120th    45.0
Scoring Offense    161st    70.9
Field Goal Pct. Defense    218th    46.6

Matt Fletcher, Three-Point Field Goals Per Game    35th, 2.9
Travis Krenske, Three-Point Field Goals Per Game    92nd, 2.5
Matt Fletcher, Three-Point Field Goal Pct.     41st, 41.5

     Fletcher and Krenske Reach 1,000: Senior guards Matt Fletcher and Travis Krenske became the 14th and 15th players respectively in school history to score 1,000 career points in their careers.  Fletcher reached the mark on Nov. 17 versus Hamline while Krenske reached the milestone on Jan. 26 versus Bemidji State.  Fletcher currently ranks sixth on the all-time scoring list with 1,333 points, while Krenske ranks 12th with 1,055 points.
Points scored record book
1638    Jacob Fahl (120 games)    1999-03
1600    Mike Tobin (114 games)    1982-86
1512    Andre Beasley (72 games)    1990-93
1471    Chad Koenen (119 games)    1998-02
1399    Scott Koenen (89 games)    1998-01
1333    Matt Fletcher (114 games)    2004-07
1244    Sam Leggett (48 games)    1974-76
1226    Charlie Taylor (56 games)    1981-83
1146      Elijah Starzl (108 games)    2001-05
1103      Frank Belmont (93 games)    1971-75
1066      Brad Wendland (97 games)     1984-88
1055    Travis Krenske (82 games)    2005-08

     Fletcher Sets School Record for Three-Pointers: Senior Matt Fletcher broke the school record for career three-point field goals made on Jan. 5 at Upper Iowa and now has 296 in 114 games.  He passed the previous record holder Adam Tesch (1998-2002) who connected on 268.  Senior Travis Krenske has now moved into third all-time with 195 in 82 games.
Three-point field goals made record book
296    Matt Fletcher (114 games)    2004-07
268    Adam Tesch (112 games)    1998-02
195    Travis Krenske (82 games)    2005-07
 
     SMSU Versus Nationally Ranked Opponents: SMSU's game versus No. 3 Winona State on Feb. 9 was its fifth against a nationally ranked opponent this season.  The Mustangs are now 1-4 losing to No. 10 Southern Indiana, beating No. 14 St. Cloud State, losing to No. 5 Winona State, losing to No. 8 Northern State and losing to No. 3 Winona State.  During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure as head coach SMSU is 2-21 versus nationally ranked teams.

     Stemen Records Career Victory 100: SMSU head coach Greg Stemen, the all-time winningest coach in school history, recorded his 100th career victory at SMSU on Dec. 1 versus Minnesota, Crookston.  Stemen is one of just three current NSIC coaches (Don Meyer, Northern State and Mike Leaf, Winona State) that have recorded at least 100 wins at their current school.

     More Fletcher and Krenske Records: Senior guards Matt Fletcher and Travis Krenske rank first and third respectively in the school career three-point field goal percentage record book.  
3-point FG percentage (minimum 50 made) record book
.449    Matt Fletcher (296-659)    2004-07
.415    Brian Wiersma (162-390)    1999-03
.408    Travis Krenske (195-478)    2005-07
.408    Adam Tesch (268-657)    1998-02
.402    Nic Hogan (134-333)    2003-07
.402    Brad Bigler (68-169)    1997-98,99-02

     Fletcher in the Free Throw Book: Senior guard Matt Fletcher ranks first in the school's all-time record book for free throw percentage.    
Free throw percentage (minimum 100 made) record book
.859    Matt Fletcher (189-220)    2004-07
.845    Jacob Fahl (377-466)    1998-2002
.841    Sam Leggett (212-252)    1974-76

     Mustangs On the Boards: SMSU has recorded the same or outrebounded its opponents in 22 of 25 games this season and has a plus 4.4 rebound advantage per game.  After outrebounding opponents in the first 12 games of the season, SMSU was outrebounded in three straight games before earning the advantage or the same in its last 10 contests.  A season ago SMSU led the NSIC in rebound margin with a 5.5 advantage per game in 18 conference games. 

     Rebounding Key for SMSU Victories: SMSU is 31-9 when even or outrebounding its opponents in the last two seasons including 15-7 this season.  During head coach Greg Stemen's tenure, SMSU is 90-33 when outrebounding its opponent but just 21-55 when being outrebounded.

     Mustangs Home and Away: SMSU was 13-2 in home games last season setting a school record for home victories and is 11-2 this year.  The road has been less friendly for the Mustangs, who went 7-8 in road/neutral games last year and are 4-8 this year.  Here is a statistical comparison of the Mustang averages home and away/neutral in 2007-08:
    W-L    FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO   
Home    11-2    .456    .383    .687    35.5    72.1    12.5   
Away    4-8    .442    .399    .733    31.8    69.6    12.5

     SMSU Late in the Game: Making plays down the stretch on both ends of the floor is a major key for teams in earning victories.  The following are SMSU's and its opponents' offensive and defensive statistics averages in the final five minutes of its 25 games this season:
<5 min.         FG%    3-FG%    FT%    REB    PTS    TO   
SMSU        .431    .310    .752    4.6    11.0    1.4
Opp.        .431    .333    .807    4.2    10.4    2.0
       
     SMSU Defense in the First: The Southwest Minnesota State defense was outstanding last season allowing opponents to score just 61.4 points per game setting a school record, while ranking seventh in the country.  A major reason for the high ranking was SMSU's defensive play in the first half.  During last season SMSU held opponents to 30 or less points in the first half in 21 of 30 games and in nine of those games held teams to 23 or less points. 
     Through 25 games this season it's been a different story as opponents have made 308 of 641 (.481) shots in the first half and are averaged 31.7 points.  SMSU has held just nine of its 25 opponents to under 30 points in the first half.

     Keepin' the Opponent Under 70: As listed in the above notes, SMSU has played solid defense in recent years, which has been a trademark under head coach Greg Stemen.  During Stemen's tenure on the Mustang sideline, SMSU is 80-18 overall, including 13-1 this season, when limiting opponents to 69 points or less.

Mustangs Make R/A Home Sweet Home: The R/A Facility is now in its 12th season as the home of SMSU basketball and has been a tough place for opponents to play in.  SMSU has compiled a record of 118-45 (.723) and has had just one losing season in the arena.  SMSU has now recorded double figure victories at home in three straight seasons.
Year    Overall    NSIC    Non-Conf.
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    11-2    7-2    4-0
Totals    118-45     68-25    50-20

     All-NSIC Honorees: SMSU returned two players this season who received post season accolades following last season.  Senior guards Matt Fletcher and Travis Krenske both were named second team All-NSIC.  It was the second straight season Fletcher has been named to the second team.  No SMSU player has been named first team All-NSIC since guard Jacob Fahl in 2003.

     2006-07 Victory Total Third Highest: Last season's team recorded 20 victories which is the highest total since the 2001-02 season and the third most victories in school history.  The 2000-01 team holds the school record with 28 victories.  The 2000-01 squad also went on to win NSIC and NCAA regional championships.  Greg Stemen's first season in 2001-02 has the second highest win total with 21.  SMSU also finished the 2006-07 season with 14 conference victories, which is the second highest total in school history.  The 2000-01 squad holds the school record with 17 wins.

     Mustangs Clamp Down the Opponents in 06-07: Southwest Minnesota State was very strong on the defensive end last season allowing opponents to score just 61.4 points per game.  SMSU led the NSIC in scoring defense allowing 59.3 ppg in 18 conference games.
     The Mustang defense held opponents to just .412 percent shooting last season and limited opponents in 15 of 30 games to 40 percent or less shooting from the field.  Opposing teams shot just 175-of-527 (.332) from 3-point range and 673-of-1634 (.412) overall from the field.

     Preseason Recognition: Southwest Minnesota State received recognition in three separate polls this preseason.  SMSU received votes for the Top 25 in both the NABC and Division II Bulletin polls and was named a “possible breakthrough team” in the Sporting News preseason Top 10 poll.

     History of the Program: Southwest Minnesota State is in its 41st season of men's basketball and has played 1,105 games compiling an all-time record of 463-642.  SMSU has racked up 15 winning seasons with nine coming in the last 12 years.  The 2000-01 squad won a school record 28 games and captured the program's lone NSIC championship, while also winning the NCAA regional championship and advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight.

     SMSU Men's Basketball in NSIC Action: This season marks the 39th year that SMSU men's basketball has competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  SMSU has compiled an all-time record of 231-297 in 528 conference games finishing in the top half of the final conference standings 17 times in 38 seasons.  SMSU has had much better success in the conference in recent years, having finished in the top half of the standings in nine of the last 12 seasons and has racked up a conference record of 124-74 since the 1995-96 season.

     SMSU Signs One Early: SMSU head coach Greg Stemen announced that Lavione West, a 6-foot-6 guard from Davenport (Iowa) West High School signed with SMSU during the early signing period on Nov. 14.
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