Men's Basketball

Northern Men Tabbed Second In Preseason Poll

October 18, 2007
ABERDEEN, S.D. - Northern State's men's basketball team received 81 points and placed second in the 2007-08 NSIC Coaches' Preseason Poll. Defending National runner-up Winona State was voted unanimously to finish in first place in the league this season. The Wolves went 21-8 and finished in third place in the NSIC with a 13-5 record.

Northern State received the other first place vote (coaches can't vote for their own team) and handily took second in the preseason poll. Southwest Minnesota State, who finished second in the league last season, received 69 points for third place. The Warriors of Winona State have been given the top nod in the DII Bulletin Preseason Top 25 ranking and are led by NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, John Smith. Smith was named the NABC NCAA DII Player of the Year in 2006-07 after averaging 16.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

The Northern State player to watch for 2007-08 is senior Craig Nelson (G, 5-11, 170, Mayville, N.D.). Nelson averaged 14.0 points per game last season and hit 89-of-202 three-point shots. He has started in all 92 games he has played in at Northern State.

The Wolves kick off their season with exhibition games at the University of Iowa (Nov. 3) and Marquette University (Nov. 4) before hosting Black Hills State in an exhibition game on November 10. Their season officially opens on Thursday, November 15 with a 7:00 pm game against Mount Marty College at Wachs Arena.

2007-08 NSIC MBB Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Winona State (9)                     90
2. Northern State (1)                   81
3. Southwest Minnesota State     69
4. MSU Moorhead                     66
5. Wayne State (Neb.)                57
6. Concordia-St. Paul                 51
7. University of Mary (N.D.)      42
8. Bemidji State                          32
9. Upper Iowa                           30
10. Minnesota, Crookston          22
( ) First Place Votes

 

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