CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team will open up their NSIC slate Sat., Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. against Bemidji State University at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston. The Golden Eagles are 2-2 on the season, while Bemidji State is 3-1. The two teams split the series last season in Head Coach Dan Weisse's first season coaching the Maroon and Gold.

Bemidji State at Minnesota Crookston
Lysaker Gymnasium, 4 p.m., Sat., Nov. 28
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/mbball/
Live Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM (Matt Bishop, Play by Play)
Online Radio: www.kroxam.com

Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Dan Weisse
Record at UMC: 9-22 Season at UMC: Second Season

Bemidji State Beavers
Head Coach: Mike Boschee
Record at BSU: 47-41 Season at BSU: Fourth Season



#5StoryLines
1. Can Derrick Redd continue to hit the three and lead the Golden Eagles?

2. Will the UMC freshman continue to improve and make an impact for the Golden Eagles?

3. Can Ben Grygiel and Chase Knickerbocker continue to be strong off the bench, providing scoring for the Golden Eagles?

4. Will UMC be able to take their
second-straight against the Beavers after a Dec. 19, 2014 win over their rivals?

5. Can UMC shut down BSU's main scorers?



#Tidbits

- The Golden Eagles have ended the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 2-2 mark as they picked up wins over Valley City State and Wisconsin-Stout. The Golden Eagle continue to make progress as the young squad continues to mature. UMC is averaging 71.2 points per game and giving up 66.8 points to their opponents this season.

- The Golden Eagles have been a strong three-point shooting team so far this season. The Golden Eagles are 37-of-91 for 40.7 percent. UMC has been led by Derrick Redd, Jr. beyond the arc, who is shooting 55.6 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 2.5 threes per game. In addition to Redd, Ben Grygiel comes in shooting 58.8 percent from beyond the arc and is also averaging 2.5 threes per game. Chase Knickerbocker has also been strong beyond the arc, connecting on 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.

- UMC has been led this season by senior Derrick Redd, Jr., the team's lone returning starter. Redd is averaging 16.8 points per game so far this year for the Golden Eagles. He is coming off 25 points in a win over Valley City State and 19 in a loss to Wisconsin-River Falls. Redd is shooting 59.1 percent from the field, 55.6 percent from beyond the arc and 71.4 percent from the charity stripe. Redd is averaging 2.0 assists per game.

- The Golden Eagles have 10 newcomers to the roster and two players who redshirted the 2014-15 season. The Golden Eagles are currently starting three newcomers, Redd and redshirt freshman Gable Smith. In addition, several newcomers have made major impacts led by Ben Grygiel's 11.8 points per game and Chase Knickerbocker's 7.5 points per game.

- UMC will have to improve on the boards as they get into NSIC play. The Golden Eagles are currently losing the rebound battle to their opponents by the tune of 38.2 to 30.5 per game. The Golden Eagles leader on the boards has been freshman Nate Lorenz, who is averaging 4.8 rebounds per game, while Ben Grygiel is averaging 4.5 rebounds per game.

- Bemidji State enters the conference season with a 3-1 mark overall on the season. The Beavers have been led by returnee Ben Best, a 6-8 forward, who is averaging 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. In addition to Best, sharp-shooter Christian Pekarek is another returnee making a major impact for Bemidji State, averaging 10.3 points per game and 5.3 assists per game. Pekarek is shooting 55.6 percent from beyond the arc.

- BSU has several transfers making an impact on the season. Elijah Valdez is a guard coming off the bench and averaging 11.5 points per game and shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. 6-7 William Harvey has started for Bemidji State and has also been strong averaging 8.8 points per game and leading the team with 6.8 rebounds per game.

- The Beavers have a couple freshman who also seeing time. Calvin Harrington is leading the freshmen, averaging 7.8 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game off the bench, while Tanner BRuchs is averaging 4.3 points per game.