The #12 University of Minnesota Duluth Men’s Basketball team opens up there regular season at the GAC/NSIC Conference Crossover tournament. The action for the Bulldogs is set to kick off on Friday at 8:00 PM against Oklahoma Baptist University, followed by a matchup against East Central University the next day at 3:00 PM.

 

MATCHUPS

 

Friday

8:00 PM @ Oklahoma Baptist University

 

Saturday

3:00 PM @ East Central University

 

NATIONAL / CONFERENCE RANKINGS

 

After a 26-10 season that saw the program’s first NCAA Elite Eight appearance, the Bulldogs slotted in at #12 in the first NABC National Rankings of the 2023-24 season. UMD was also projected to lead the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), finishing 18 points ahead of second place Minnesota State University Mankato in the conference’s preseason coaches poll.

 

100 WIECK WINS

 

Head Coach Justin Wieck nears a new milestone, currently sitting at 96 wins at the helm of UMD Men’s Basketball. The earliest possibility to reach this milestone would be during the 2023 Parkside Classic against Davenport University.

 

BLAIR AWARDS AND RECORDS

 

Graduate student Drew Blair has been named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year. Blair led the conference in four different statistical categories last season, including: points, field goals made, field goal attempts, and three pointer attempts. Blair sits 27 points away from breaking the current program points record, set by former Bulldog Brandon Myer in the 2018-19 season.

 

POINTS MILESTONES GALORE

 

Senior forward Charlie Katona and graduate student guard Jack Middleton both stand to reach the 1,000 career points milestones this season. Katona currently remains at 975 total points, while Middleton currently remains at 913 total points.

 

UP NEXT

 

Men’s Basketball will spend the following weekend in Kenosha, WI to compete in the 2023 Parkside Classic. The action for UMD will start on Friday, Nov. 17, at 7 PM versus UW Parkside.