The Scoop
The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team will continue their home stand as they take on St. Cloud State University Friday and University of Minnesota Duluth Saturday. The Golden Eagles have found success in their friendly confines of Lysaker Gymnasium where they currently own a 3-0 mark. They enter the weekend with a 3-3 mark on the season.

Previewing the Golden Eagles
Minnesota Crookston has one of the most potent offenses in the league averaging 86.7 points per game. The key will be defense for a Golden Eagle team that has been inconsistent on that end of the ball. Minnesota Crookston is coming off a strong defensive game in the NSIC opener as they limited Bemidji State University to 53 points.

The Golden Eagles are led by sophomore Harrison Cleary, who is the co-scoring leader in the conference with 25.3 points per game. Junior Alan Hodge, Jr. has been potent from beyond the arc as he is shooting 44.7 percent. Chase Knickerbocker comes in tallying 13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Redshirt Junior Gable Smith is coming off a strong game against the Beavers as he notched a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Golden Eagles come into the weekend with a 3-3 (1-0 NSIC) record. 

Minnesota Crookston has also been aided by the play of Ben Juhl and Darin Viken, who were able to do the little things in the win over Bemidji State including assists, offensive boards and defense. Javier Nicolau also has been crucial recently as he continues to develop as a player. The transfer from Castellon, Spain has averaged 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in the last two games for the Golden Eagles. Chase Johnson also continues to see significant time, however he has been slowed by an injury. 

Minnesota Crookston comes in shooting 49.6 percent from the field. They are hitting 40.8 percent of their outside shots and 71.3 percent of their shots at the charity stripe. The Golden Eagles are out-rebounding opponents 36.3 to 35.3 led by Smith's 7.3 rebounds per game.

Previewing the Huskies
The Huskies enter the weekend with a 3-2 record. The big story line is the absence of 2016-17 All-America selection Gage Davis, who is serving a six-game suspension and is slated to miss Friday's game. In his void, Jon Averkamp is leading the team with 21.4 points per game. Sophomore guard Brindley Theisen is tallying 14.2 points per game, while Sean Smith is notching 11.6 points and 11.2 boards per game. 

St. Cloud State has still been potent without Davis as they are coming off a big win over Minnesota State University last weekend. The Huskies are averaging 68.8 points per game. Their defense has been strong as they are holding their foes to just 66.0 points per game. St. Cloud State is shooting 42.2 percent from the field. They have struggled from beyond the arc at just 25.8 percent. They are shooting just 65.6 percent from the foul line.

Previewing the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs come into the weekend with a 2-2 record. They look to forward Brandon Myer's 13.8 points per game. At guard, Trevor Entwisle is tallying 11.8 points per game, while Logan Rohrschieb notches 12.5 points per contest. Minnesota Duluth picked up two big wins last weekend over Michigan Tech and Wisconsin-Parkside. 

The Bulldogs come in averaging 69.0 points per game, while allowing their opponents to score 71.0 points per contest. UMD is shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from beyond the arc. They are led from long distance by Luke Harris, who is shooting 42.9 percent. Myer comes in shooting 40.0 percent from distance, as both post players can stretch the floor. Minnesota Duluth is dangerous at the free throw line where they have connected on 85.2 percent of their shots. UMD is out-rebounding foes by the tune of 29.5 to 27.3.

Starting The Season
Minnesota Crookston is off to their best start in conference play since the 2001-02 season when they opened conference play with a win over Minnesota State University Moorhead. The Golden Eagles have only once previously started the season with a 2-0 mark in NSIC play. They are looking to do this for a second time this weekend if they can beat St. Cloud State. The Golden Eagles defeated Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth to open the 1999-00 season. Minnesota Crookston has never started conference play with a 3-0 mark.

Defense Is Key
Defense has been key for the Golden Eagles this season as it has been a defining factor in their wins versus their losses. Minnesota Crookston is limiting opponents to 66.3 points per game in their three victories. On the reverse side, the Golden Eagles have allowed their foes to score an average of 90.7 points in their three losses. The Golden Eagles will look to be more consistent on defense as they head into a crucial NSIC weekend. 

Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Dan Weisse
Record at UMC: 21-68 Season at UMC: Fourth Season

St. Cloud State Huskies
Head Coach: Matt Reimer
Record at SCSU: 48-48 Season at SCSU: Fourth Season

Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
Head Coach: Matt Bowen
Record at UMD: 57-89 Season at UMD: Sixth Season

Date: Dec. 1 & 2, 2017
Time: 8 p.m. (Fri.), 6 p.m. (Sat.)
Site: Crookston, Minn.
Stadium: Lysaker Gymnasium
Capacity: 3,000
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/mbball/
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM
Series against SCSU: St. Cloud State leads series 23-3 
Last: The Golden Eagles split with St. Cloud State last season
with a 92-89 win at home.
Recent Trends: Golden Eagles have taken 2-of-6 games
Series against UMD: UMD leads series 29-3
Last: Minnesota Duluth swept the series last year with a 75-67 win in Duluth and an 82-58 win in Crookston.

Minnesota Crookston
Projected Starters
So. PG 0 Harrison Cleary, 6-1, Oak Creek, Wis. 25.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.7 APG
Jr. SG 1 Alan Hodge, Jr., 6-0, Dallas, Texas 18.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG
Fr. 3G 2 Ben Juhl, 6-1, Clive, Iowa 9.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG
Jr. SF 25 Chase Knickerbocker, 6-7, Annandale, Minn. 13.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG
R-Jr. PF 24 Gable Smith, 6-7, Lodi, Wis. 7.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG
Top Bench Players
So. F 21 Chase Johnson, 6-8, La Crosse, Wis. 2.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG
Jr. G 13 Darin Viken, 6-1, Fosston, Minn. 2.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG
So. F/C 44 Javier Nicolau, 6-10, Castellon, Spain 3.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG

St. Cloud State
Projected Starters
Jr. PG 12 Adam Heede-Andersen, 6-0, Copenhagen, Denmark 3.4 PPG, 3.0 APG
Jr. SG 10 Brindley Theisen , 6-2, St. Cloud, Minn. 14.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG
Sr. SF 14 Andy Foley, 6-5, St. Cloud, Minn. 5.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG
Sr. PF 24 Jon Averkamp, 6-6, Germantown, Wis. 21.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG
Jr. C 40 Sean Smith, 6-8, Seville, Spain 11.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG
Top Bench Players
So. G 4 Trevon Marshall, 6-0, Evanston, Ill. 5.6 PPG, 1.6 APG
Fr. F 34 Tristen Hull, 6-7, Burbank, Calif. 3.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG
Fr. G 1 Drew Lewis, 6-3, Milwaukee, Wis. 2.4 PPG, 1.2 RPG

Minnesota Duluth
Projected Starters
So. PG 2 Trevor Entwisle, 5-11, Neenah, Wis. 11.8 PPG, 2.5 APG
So. SG 1 Logan Rohrscheib, 6-2, Eau Claire, Wis. 12.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG
Sr. 3G 30 Jake Wilson, 6-5, Zimmerman, Minn. 8.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG
Jr. SF 11 Sean Burns, 6-5, Robbinsdale, Minn. 6.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG
So. PF 10 Brandon Myer, 6-7, Superior, Wis. 13.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG
Top Bench Players
So. F 32 Luke Harris, 6-8, Northfield, Minn. 9.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Jr. F 14 Ryan Kaczynski, 6-4, Shoreview, Minn. 3.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG
Sr. G 21 Kyle Schalow, 6-2, Sherwood, Wis. 1.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG

#5StoryLines
1. Can the Golden Eagles get the ball movement and defense that they had in the win over Bemidji State?

2. Will Harrison Cleary continue his strong start to his sophomore campaign?

3. Can Gable Smith follow up his double-double against Bemidji State with a pair of strong games?

4. Will Minnesota Crookston be able to limit St. Cloud State's Jon Averkamp?

5. Can the Golden Eagles control Minnesota Duluth's big three of Myer, Rohrscheib and Entwisle?

#ShiningAsASophomore
UMC sophomore guard Harrison Cleary has overcome the sophomore slump in his second season as a Golden Eagle. Cleary was NSIC Freshman of the Year last season. He is leading the entire NSIC with 25.3 points per game. Cleary is coming off averaging 29.5 points in games against Bemidji State and Jamestown.
Cleary shot 51.2 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the charity stripe in those two games. He will look to continue his great start to the season this weekend against St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth.

#DoubleDouble
Minnesota Crookston redshirt junior Gable Smith is coming off one of the best games of his career Saturday against Bemidji State. Smith had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds and provided great intensity and effort all night on both ends of the floor. Smith has always had an impact defensively as he is the all-time blocks leader in school history. He continues to impact on that side of the floor with his 2.8 blocks per game, however Smith is starting to show what he can be offensively following the major win over Bemidji State.


#SinkTheThree
Minnesota Crookston junior transfer Alan Hodge, Jr. has made an instant impact for the Golden Eagles. Hodge is averaging 18.7 points per game. He has been dangerous from beyond the arc where he is hitting at a 44.7 clip. The transfer from Southwestern College in Kansas is coming off 16 points on 7-of-14 from the field against Bemidji State.

 #GlueGuys
Golden Eagle guards Darin Viken and Ben Juhl did the things that sometimes go unnoticed as they helped the Golden Eagles to a convincing 83-57 win over Bemidji State. Juhl finished with six points, six rebounds and four assists, while Viken had seven points and five rebounds on the game. Both players also helped on the defensive end of the floor and with their passing and hard work. They will look to continue to make a positive impact this weekend.