Matt Hammer (Jr., G/F, Elkton, S.D.) was named to the 2005 DAKTRONICS NCAA Division II North Central Region First Team.  Hammer will now move on to the national ballot with a chance to be named an All-American, which will be announced March 22nd.

For only the second time ever, a player was named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Player of the Year and Tournament MVP. Hammer joins Kyle Schlaak of Winona State (2001) as the only players to be named NSIC Player of the Year and NSIC Tournament Most Valuable Player.  The Wolves won the NSIC Red Baron Men’s Basketball Tournament by knocking off #2 Bemidji State and #1 Winona State, in Winona, Minn. on March 5th and 6th.  The Wolves advanced to the North Central Regional in Denver, Colo. where they take on #1 seed Metro State College of Denver on Saturday, March 12th. 

Hammer led the NSIC in scoring with 278 points in 14 conference games and a 19.9 point per game average. A first-team All-NSIC selection, Hammer ranked second in rebounding with 7.8 boards a game. He ranked third in assists with 4.29 per game and fifth in steals with 1.79 a game. Hammer also led the league in overall scoring with 18.8 points a game.

Hammer, a 2002 South Dakota Mr. Basketball Award winner, was a 2003-04 all-conference performer and was named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team last season. Hammer was selected as the NSIC Player of the Week twice and collected five double doubles throughout this season. Hammer led the Wolves in scoring (18.8), rebounding (7.2), assists (113), steals (50) and minutes (33.2) during the regular season.

Hammer is only 20 points away from surpassing Sundance Wicks for #25 all-time in scoring at NSU. Hammer has accumulated 1,154 points over the past three seasons, averaging 12.8 point per game.

The Wolves finished the 2004-05 regular season with a 18-9 overall record and a 9-5 NSIC mark, good enough for third place.  The Wolves are currently 21-9 after the NSIC Tournament.

Joining Hammer on the first team were Stephen Bahl of Colorado Mines, Turner Trofholz of South Dakota, Jamel Staten from Minnesota State and Mark Worthington from Metro State.

On the second team with are Dusty Jura of Nebraska-Kearney, Nate Miller from St. Cloud State, Todd Rypkema from North Dakota, Matt Vaughn of Colorado Christian and Josh Mueller from South Dakota.