WINONA, Minn. – Winners of three straight and seven of their last nine overall, the Winona State University men's basketball team hits the road for the first time in three weeks for games at Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls this weekend.
Game time on Friday at SMSU is set for 7:30 p.m. with Saturday's finale at Sioux Falls slated for 5:30 p.m.
Winona State (10-8, 7-5 NSIC) enters the weekend sitting in fourth place in the South Division ahead of SMSU (6-12, 3-9 NSIC) and behind of the league-leading Cougars (14-4, 10-2 NSIC).
The Warrior offense (75.8 ppg) has been on the rise of late while its defensive unit (74.4) continues to make things tough on opponents. Winona State ranks seventh in the NSIC in three-point shooting (35.9%) while shooting at least 40% in three straight, and five of the last seven contests. WSU ranks sixth nationally in total three-point field goal attempts (571) and 16th in made three-pointers/game (11.4).
The Warriors continue to be one of the best teams in the country in ball security, ranking second in fewest turnovers/game (9.2) and eighth in fewest total turnovers (166). Collectively, Winona State ranks 14th in Division II in assist/turnover ratio (1.51) led once again by last year's NCAA record-holder Devin Whitelow (4.92).
Kevion Taylor (19.6 ppg) and Caleb Wagner (18.9) continue to carry the offensive load while ranking fifth and sixth, respectively, in the conference in scoring average. Taylor and Wagner have each netted at least 20 points in seven of the Warriors' last nine tilts.
Taylor also leads the team in rebounding (7.4) ahead of Andrea Lo Biondo (6.3) who has come on strong lately on the offensive end of the court, raising his season scoring average to 9.1 ppg. Starting guard Alec Rosner and sixth-man Luke Martens continue to be excellent in their respective roles for WSU.
Scouting SMSU
The Mustangs have lost five of their last seven and are just 3-4 on their home court this season. SMSU ranks last in the NSIC in scoring offense (65.8 ppg), however is fourth in scoring defense (69.4) which has resulted in a lot of low-scoring close affairs. The Mustangs are a threat from downtown (36.6%) and rank fourth in the conference in offensive rebounds/game (10.3).
Kenny Byers (17.6 ppg) and Nick Dufault (12.7) lead the Mustangs in scoring. Byers is also SMSU's top rebounder (7.8) – ranking ninth in the league. In the post, Weston Baker Magrath ranks fourth in the NSIC in blocks/game (1.9).
The Warriors and Mustangs split their 2018-19 season series, each winning on their respective home courts.
Scouting Sioux Falls
The Cougars had their seven-game winning streak snapped last Saturday with a 69-66 setback at Minot State. Sioux Falls' success is also driven on the defensive end of the court, ranking second in the NSIC in scoring defense (67.3 ppg). The Cougars rank 13th in the league in scoring offense (70.6). Despite their defensive pressure, the Cougars are allowing teams to shoot 36% from beyond the arc. Sioux Falls is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the NSIC (12.3), so the Warriors will need to crash the boards in order to prevent second-chance opportunities.
Winona State could also find success in the turnover battle as Sioux Falls has the fifth-most miscues in the league (230).
Four Cougars are averaging double-digits in the scoring column led by Chase Grinde (11.2). Teathloach Pal (10.7 ppg) is the rebounding leader (8.9).
WSU and Sioux Falls have split their last four meetings with each team claiming wins on its home court.
