NSIC Men's Basketball 25-26

[Mark Emmert's Burner]

We finally made it to tipoff weekend! Here are the two games I'm most looking forward to watching this weekend:

Fri @ 7:00: MSUM vs. Washburn (in Pittsburgh, KS) - The opponent that ended the Tim Bergstraser era of Dragons basketball will begin the Jason Kemp era. I'm fully expecting a loaded Washburn team to come out strong and beat the Dragons by 15+. However, I'll be watching mostly to see what the early MSUM rotation looks like. So many guys were in Anthony Davis clothes in their exhibition against NDSU, that I still don't know what the starting 5 could be. I've heard that the Dragons want to play fast, so I'll be watching for how they handle their transition & semi-transition opportunities.

Sat @ 2:00: SMSU vs. Fort Hays St. (in Hays, KS) - Could be a good early-season test for the heavy pre-season NSIC favorite. Fort Hays lost 4 of their 5 starters (only Kyle Grill remains), so this could be a team that's still searching for their 25-26 identity in their first game. There's much more certainty as to what SMSU's rotation will look like, but I'm mostly looking to see if their true freshman Brayson Boike gets any run right away. I'm high on his potential to slot into Dunwa Omot's vacant staring spot.

[BurlingameRoad]

Fri @ 7:00: MSUM vs. Washburn (in Pittsburgh, KS) - The opponent that ended the Tim Bergstraser era of Dragons basketball will begin the Jason Kemp era. I'm fully expecting a loaded Washburn team to come out strong and beat the Dragons by 15+. However, I'll be watching mostly to see what the early MSUM rotation looks like. So many guys were in Anthony Davis clothes in their exhibition against NDSU, that I still don't know what the starting 5 could be. I've heard that the Dragons want to play fast, so I'll be watching for how they handle their transition & semi-transition opportunities.

Well, Washburn may just be a wagon. Not a shock we won this one (or Saturday's game), but man. I did think a couple of the new Moorhead guys looked pretty solid though. Gooden and Payne in particular looked like nice pieces.

[Augieholic]

The NSIC went 4-12 yesterday and 6-8 on Friday. Its violently early but as of right now the NSIC, as a conference, stinks.

[Thunder]

The NSIC went 4-12 yesterday and 6-8 on Friday. Its violently early but as of right now the NSIC, as a conference, stinks.

Yeah, a pretty atrocious opening weekend, especially for some teams expected to be at the top of the NSIC (looking at you SMSU and SCSU)

[IceBoxDragon]

Yeah, a pretty atrocious opening weekend, especially for some teams expected to be at the top of the NSIC (looking at you SMSU and SCSU)

Haven't kept up with roster changes on other teams. Was there a lot of transfer portal turnover with them or similar rosters to last year? Or just experienced groups?

[MrMustang]

SMSU played poorly both games. I'd like to say "we'll be fine" but we missed a lot of open shots. too early to panic, but we need to hit open shots.

I also saw way too much dribbling the ball instead of passing. Yuck.

[Purple Mav Man]

Haven't kept up with roster changes on other teams. Was there a lot of transfer portal turnover with them or similar rosters to last year? Or just experienced groups?

SMSU brought basically everyone back. But has started this year they way they finished last year.

St Cloud lost a few but has many returning.

[Purple Mav Man]

The NSIC went 4-12 yesterday and 6-8 on Friday. It’s violently early but as of right now the NSIC, as a conference, stinks.

This is painfully true

[zimmy21]

That does not bode well for any team in the bubble for the NSIC.. Gotta keep your head on a swivel for in-conference trap games!!

[Stanger86]

Haven't kept up with roster changes on other teams. Was there a lot of transfer portal turnover with them or similar rosters to last year? Or just experienced groups?

SMSU and SCSU bring back the most from last year into this year. I would say that was a big piece of the high rankings.

[Purple Mav Man]

Under 5 TO. Crookston leads Oak Hill Christian 100-51

[Purple Mav Man]

Crookston closes on a commanding 15-2 run to win 115-53

[Stanger86]

Everyone's favorite, a Jimmies moral victory!

NDSU 82, Jamestown 67 (was a 3-point game early in the second half)

[LukeMcConnell1]

Everyone's favorite, a Jimmies moral victory!

NDSU 82, Jamestown 67 (was a 3-point game early in the second half)

Like I said on the Northern State thread, was really impressed with Jamestown last weekend. Think they're gonna be a solid team and tough game every night.

[Purple Mav Man]

Looking forward to Mavs and Grand Valley this evening. No idea what to expect from the game.