Game Time... The Northwestern College men's basketball team will open its conference slate with a road match-up against 17th-ranked Dakota Wesleyan Wednesday night. Tip-off at the Corn Palace is scheduled for 8pm. The Red Raiders, under the direction of head coach Kris Korver, are 3-0 on the young 2018-19 season. DWU is also 3-0 on the year. 

Follow the game live via the Dakota Wesleyan webcast at this link: Watch Now! 

The Rivalry...Northwestern owns a 46-27 lead in the all-time series, 4-6, however, in the last 10 match-up against DWU. The teams have split their regular season match-ups the last three years, each winning on its home floor. Northwestern has lost its last five road games against the Tigers, last earning a win at the Corn Palace in 20012-13. 

Scouting Reports...

    #17 Dakota Wesleyan Tigers: 3-0            Head Coach: Matt Wilber (6th year)

Unbeaten in three games this season, Dakota Wesleyan owns wins over 14th-ranked Bellevue, Dakota State and Presentation. Last time out, they eclipsed the century scoring mark with a 103-76 blitzing of the Saints at The Pentagon Classic in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Sunday night. 

Wilber, now in his sixth season as head of the DWU men's basketball program, returns two starters and six players from 2017-18 squad that finished with a 23-11 record. They lost to College of Idaho in the round of 16 at the national tournament and placed fourth in the GPAC regular season with an 11-7 record. DWU was picked third in the GPAC preseason poll.

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 88.7ppg (5th)
    Scoring Defense: 72.7ppg (4th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 47% (8th)
    3pt Percentage: 36%, (T9th) 35 3pters (4th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 75% (3rd)
    Rebound Margin: -2 (8th)

Top Players:  (GPAC rank / NAIA-if top 10)
    Ty Hoglund (2x all-GPAC)  25.3ppg (1st / 9th), 9 3pters, 4.7rpg, 8 assists
    Samuel McCloud (returner)  15ppg, 13 3pters (4th), 54% 3pt (9th), 5.3rpg
    Nick Harden (transfer from Midland)  13.7ppg, 10 assists
    Koln Oppold  8.7ppg, 5.3rpg

    Northwestern College Red Raiders: 3-0            Head Coach: Kris Korver (19th year)

The Red Raiders are also unbeaten in three games, defeating Oak Hills Christian and two teams from the North Star Athletic Conference, Mayville State and Valley City State, last weekend. They have scored over 100 points in two of the three games.

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 101.3ppg (3rd / 10th)
    Scoring Defense: 60ppg (2nd / 6th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 54% (3rd / 8th)
    3pt Percentage: 38%, (6th) 33 3pters (6th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 75% (5th)
    Rebound Margin: +22 (1st / 6th)

Top Players:  (GPAC rank / NAIA-if top 10)
    Trent Hilbrands - 23.3ppg (3rd), 8 3pters, 57% 3pt (6th), 9 assists
    Craig Sterk - 14.3ppg, 61% FG (7th), 5.3rpg, 5 blocks
    Christian Korver - 9.3ppg, 6 3pters, 4rpg
    Jay Small - 9.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 5 assists

Up Next...Northwestern heads on the road again this weekend as they play Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7pm in Madison, S.D.