The Scoop
The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team will continue a four-game road stand at Marshall, Minn. and Sioux Falls, S.D. this weekend. The Golden Eagles will take on Southwest Minnesota State Fri., Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. and will then face USF for the second time this season Sat., Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.

Previewing the Golden Eagles
Minnesota Crookston continues to be off to their best start in the program's history of NCAA Division II play with an 8-8 (5-5 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles are currently slotted No. 4 in the NSIC North Division coming into the weekend.

The Golden Eagles look to one of the best scorers in the NSIC and NCAA Division II in Harrison Cleary. Cleary is fifth in the nation and first in the NSIC in scoring with 24.3 points per game. Last weekend, Cleary became only the third player in school history to eclipse 1,000 points, joining all-time leading scorer Joe Hasz and Akeem Cubie. Later in the weekend, he surpassed Cubie for second all-time in scoring. Cleary is the fastest player to 1,000 points, surpassing Hasz, the No. 4 scorer all-time in the NSIC, who reached the accomplishment as a junior.

Joining Cleary in the backcourt are Alan Hodge, Jr. and Ben Juhl. Hodge is averaging 16.5 points per game, while Juhl is notching 10.4 points per game. All three are potent three-point shooters. Cleary is shooting 47.1 percent from beyond the arc, while Hodge is hitting at a 44.6 percent clip and Juhl at a 35.5 percent clip.

Darin Viken has stepped up in recent weeks due to injury and has seen starting time during that stretch. The Fosston, Minn., native is averaging 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in the last four games. The Golden Eagles have also added Josh Collins, a transfer from University of North Dakota, who averaged 5.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game during his first weekend of action.

In the post, Gable Smith continues to show improvement. Smith is one of the best defensive players in the league and the country as he leads the nation and the conference with 4.0 blocks per game. He has started to come on more offensively where he is averaging 8.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

The Golden Eagles are shooting 48.0 percent from the field, 41.6 percent from beyond the arc and 76.7 percent from the charity stripe. Minnesota Crookston is averaging 79.2 points per game, while giving up 73.9 points per game.

Previewing the Mustangs
Southwest Minnesota State comes into the weekend with an 11-5 (7-3 NSIC) mark. The Mustangs look to their point guard Ryan Bruggeman, who is averaging 16.9 points and 5.4 assists per game. In addition to Bruggeman, Southwest Minnesota State looks to 6-8 center Carter Kirk for 13.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. K.J. Davis comes in averaging 10.1 points per game. Turner Moen has been dangerous from beyond the arc for the Mustangs as he is hitting at a 57.1 percent clip.

The Mustangs are shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from behind the three-point line. They are shooting 72.4 percent from the foul line. Southwest Minnesota State is outscoring their foes 80.5 to 74.5 this season.

Previewing the Cougars
Sioux Falls comes into the weekend with a 10-5 (6-4 NSIC) record. The Golden Eagles picked up an important non-conference victory with a 79-74 win in Crookston earlier this season. The Cougars look to forward Drew Guebert in the post with 22.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Guebert is a strong inside-out player as he is shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc. Guard Trevon Evans has also been an impact player with 20.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. After Guebert and Evans, the production falls off for USF as they have been missing swing man Jerrod Walton and his 14.1 points per game. At point guard, Zach Wessels is a great facilitator with 6.4 points and 2.9 assists per game. 

The Cougars are averaging 81.1 points per game, while giving up 74.7 points per contest to their foes. Sioux Falls is shooting 46.8 percent from the field on the season. They are hitting at a 37.0 percent clip from beyond the arc and are shooting 71.9 percent from the stripe.

Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Dan Weisse
Record at UMC: 25-72 Season at UMC: Fourth Season

Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs
Head Coach: Brad Bigler
Record at SMSU: 147-106 Season at SMSU: Ninth Season

Sioux Falls Cougars
Head Coach: Chris Johnson
Record at USF: 166-127 Season at USF: 11th Season

Date: Jan. 12, 2018
Time: 8 p.m.
Opponent: Southwest Minnesota State University
Site: Marshall, Minn. (R/A Facility)
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/smsu/mbball/?path=mbball
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/smsu/
Date: Jan. 13, 2018
Time: 6 p.m.
Opponent: University of Sioux Falls
Site: Sioux Falls, S.D. (Stewart Center)
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/siouxfalls/mbball/
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/siouxfalls/
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM
Officials (Friday): Chad Bjornson, Reggie Jackson, Keswic Joiner
Officials (Saturday): Tom Mauer, Jim Ricketts, Levi Pearson
Last (SMSU): Southwest Minnesota State won 77-74 in Crookston Jan. 13, 2017
Series: Southwest Minnesota State leads all-time series 28-1. Golden Eagles last won Jan. 16, 2004 in Crookston, Minn.
Last (USF): Minnesota Crookston won 79-74 Nov. 18 in non-conference play
Series: Sioux Falls leads 4-2 in NCAA Division II history

Minnesota Crookston
Projected Starters
So. PG 0 Harrison Cleary, 6-1, Oak Creek, Wis. 24.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.9 APG
Jr. SG 1 Alan Hodge, Jr., 6-0, Dallas, Texas 16.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG
Fr. 3G 2 Ben Juhl, 6-1, Clive, Iowa 10.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG
R-Jr. PF 24 Gable Smith, 6-7, Lodi, Wis. 8.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 4.0 BPG
So. F/C 44 Javier Nicolau, 6-10, Castellon, Spain 3.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG
Top Bench Players
Jr. G 13 Darin Viken, 6-2, Fosston, Minn. 2.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG
Jr. F 30 Josh Collins, 6-6, Minneapolis, Minn. 5.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG
R-Fr. G 10 Gabrys Sadaunykas, 6-4, Vilnius, Lithuania 1.7 PPG, 1.2 RPG

Southwest Minnesota State
Projected Starters
Jr. PG 3 Ryan Bruggeman, 6-0, Pelican Rapids, Minn. 16.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.4 APG
Sr. SG 14 K.J. Davis, 6-2, Annandale, Minn. 10.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG
Sr. 3G 21 Turner Moen, 6-4, Lake Mills, Wis. 8.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG
Jr. SF 22 Michael Lee, 6-6, Dawson, Minn. 6.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG
Sr. PF 35 Carter Kirk, 6-8, Mountain Lake, Minn. 13.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG
Top Bench Players
Jr. G 20 Taylor Schafer, 6-3, Bismarck, N.D. 8.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG
R-Fr. G 12 Nick Dufault, 6-0, Waseca, Minn. 7.3 PPG, 0.8 RPG
Fr. G 2 Kenny Byers, 6-3, Olathe, Kan. 4.0 PPG, 2.4 RPG
Jr. F 50 Kolin Bartlett, 6-6, St. Peter, Minn. 3.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG

Sioux Falls
Projected Starters
Sr. PG 11 Zach Wessels, 6-2, Austin, Minn. 6.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.9 APG
Jr. SG 4 Trevon Evans, 6-0, Wichita, Kan. 20.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG
Jr. 3G 22 Justin Taylor, 6-5, Chicago, Ill. 4.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG
Jr. SF 23 Drew Guebert, 6-8, Apple Valley, Minn. 22.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG
R-Fr. PF 44 Austin Slater, 6-8, Andover, Minn. 2.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG
Top Bench Players
R-Fr. F 5 Teathloach Pal, 6-8, Fridley, Minn. 4.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG
Fr. G 15 Drew Maschoff, 6-4, Ankeny, Iowa 4.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG
R-Fr. G 42 Aaron Rothermund, 6-2, Papillion, Neb. 3.6 PPG, 1.0 RPG
Sr. F 14 Tom Aase, 6-6, Austin, Minn. 2.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG

#5StoryLines
1. Can the Golden Eagles get the ball movement and defense that they have had in several of their wins?

2. Can Minnesota Crookston limit Ryan Bruggeman this weekend for SMSU?

3. Can the Golden Eagles limit USF's pair of Trevon Evans and Drew Guebert?

4. Will Gable Smith continue to be a pest in the paint with his blocked shots? 

5. What will transfer Josh Collins do in his second week with the team?

#1000PointClub
Minnesota Crookston sophomore guard has had a phenomenal start to his young career. Last weekend against UMD, Cleary became the quickest player in school history to reach 1,000 points. He also surpassed Akeem Cubie for No. 2 all-time. Cleary is fifth in the nation in scoring with 24.3 points per game. He has tallied 20 or more points in 10 games this season. He is shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from beyond the arc. 

#Denied
Minnesota Crookston redshirt junior Gable Smith has always been a shot block machine with a school-record 187 blocks. Smith has taken it to a new level this year with an NCAA Division II leading 4.00 blocks per game. Smith has tallied five or more blocks in seven games this season. He has also continued to progress as an offensive player where he is averaging 8.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Smith is shooting 63.7 percent from the field this season. He has tallied 8.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest in the last four games for the Golden Eagles. 

#NewAddition
The Golden Eagles added 6-6 forward Josh Collins at semester break. The junior transfer from Division I University of North Dakota played his first games in the Maroon and Gold last weekend. Collins averaged 5.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game on the weekend. He had a nice showing at St. Cloud State with 10 points and eight boards off of the bench. Collins will continue to acclimate to the Division II game. He will look to continue to be a threat off of the bench for Minnesota Crookston.

#CrownJuhl
Golden Eagle freshman Ben Juhl has had a strong start to his young career. The Clive, Iowa native is tallying 10.1 points per game. He has scored in double-figures in nine games this season. Juhl is shooting 35.5 percent from beyond the arc. He will look to continue to make a positive impact for the Golden Eagles.