Game Notes

Gameday Info

Away Team: University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-13, 0-12 NSIC)
Home Team: University of Sioux Falls (7-11, 3-11 NSIC)
Date: Fri., Feb. 1
Arena: Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smithsd/livestats/xlive.htm
Away Team: University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-13, 0-12 NSIC)
Home Team: SW Minnesota State University (11-10, 8-6 NSIC)
Date: Sat., Feb. 2
Arena: Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smithsd/livestats/xlive.htm
Radio: KROX 1260 AM (Friday)
Twitter: UMCAthletics
Facebook: Golden Eagle Sports

Quick Hits

•Return of Broderick Schmidt
    Senior Broderick Schmidt returned from an injury last weekend to play against Northern State and MSU Moorhead. Schmidt has had a difficult injury battling through an injury. Schmidt missed five games from Jan. 11-19 and earlier in the season missed the first three games of the season.

•Dishing it Up
    Almir Krdzalic has stepped up his game overall and especially in his role of a point guard as of late. The senior from Sioux Falls, S.D. is averaging 4.67 assists per game in the last six games and has upped his season average to 3.5 assists per game. Krdzalic had a season-high seven assists against Northern State University Friday. Krdzalic is currently ranked sixth in the NSIC for assists. In addition, Krdzalic is slowly closing in on the school record for career assists. The senior has 249 assists and is just 49 dishes behind Lee Roberts' school record of 298 which is feasible to accomplish in the 10 games left.

•From Downtown...
    UMC has really stepped it up from beyond the arc in the last 11 games as the Golden Eagles have five or more made treys during 10 of those contests. UMC hit a season-high 10 threes against Augustana Jan. 12 and were 9-of-17 for 52.9 percent against MSU Moorhead Jan. 4. Prior to the Minot State game Dec. 14, the Golden Eagles had not hit more than four treys in a game. UMC comes into Friday shooting 32.2 percent as a team led by Tim Lubke's 50.0 percent which currently tied for the NSIC lead for three-point percentage.

•Looking to Get On a Winning Track
The Golden Eagles remain winless in the NSIC and are currently on a 15-game losing streak with their last win coming Nov. 20 at Mayville State. UMC has been close several times in the losing streak as five of the losses have been by eight points or less including a last second one-point loss to U-Mary and a five-point loss to MSU Moorhead. UMC will look to snap the skid against Sioux Falls and SW Minnesota State.

The Scoop

        The University of Minnesota, Crookston men's basketball team will look to get their first NSIC win of the 2012-13 season as they face University of Sioux Falls Friday and Southwest Minnesota State University Saturday. Friday will be “Special Olympics Night” with games featuring the Crookston Area Special Olympics team. Saturday will be “It's A Slam Dunk - Don't Drive Drunk” day raising awareness of the harms of drunk driving.


Previewing the Golden Eagles
    Men
    The Golden Eagle men's basketball team enters Friday with a record of  3-15 (0-14 NSIC). UMC is still searching for their first win in the conference season despite playing very strong first halfs of games over the last month.
    UMC has been led on the year by junior college transfer Brandon Burns (F, Baton Rouge, La.), who is averaging 11.1 points per game. Senior guard Almir Krdzalic (Sioux Falls, S.D.) has added 9.4 points per game this season while Ashton Harrell (Jr., G, Houston, Texas) has had several productive games of late including 14 points versus Northern State last Friday. Harrell is avearaging 7.5 points per game off the bench.
    The Golden Eagles are shooting 41.6 percent on the year and are 32.2 percent from beyond the arc. UMC is being out-rebounded 31.6 to 29.3 on the season and is averaging 56.9 points per game.

   
Previewing the Cougars

    Men
    The University of Sioux Falls men's team enters the weekend with a 7-9 (3-9 NSIC) mark. The Cougars and Golden Eagle men will also meet for the first time as NSIC foes. Sioux Falls is coming off four-straight losses including two to WInona State and Upper Iowa last weekend.
    Sioux Falls is led by three players averaging double figures with James Rader leading the way with 11.4 points per game. Derek Brown adds 10.6 points per game while A.J. Holland is averaging 10.1 points per game. The Cougars are shooting 43.0 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from beyond the arc led by Brown's 48.2 percent from three.

Previewing the Mustangs

    Men
    The Mustang men are 10-9 (7-5 NSIC) this season. Southwest Minnesota State split last weekend with a win over Upper Iowa and a loss to Winona State. The Mustangs are led by Jordan Miller's 15.1 points per game while Nick Smith is averaging 12.2 points per game and Matt Zager averages 9.9 points per game. Southwest Minnesota State is shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from behind the three-point line led by William Giddings' 54.3 percent.