WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team will host #13 Upper Iowa University on Sunday, January 2, returning to the court since the Warriors last competed on Saturday, Dec. 11, falling 71-57 at the University of Sioux Falls.
The Warriors (6-4, 2-3 NSIC South) will take on the Peacocks (12-1, 6-1 NSIC South) looking to start the New Year with a win over a ranked opponent at home in similar fashion to the Winona State victory over then-#17 Minnesota State on Dec. 4, 73-59. Head coach Todd Eisner and Winona State had their most recent NSIC series scheduled against Wayne State and Augustana canceled due to Covid-19 protocols, as was a non-conference tilt at Michigan Tech.
Read on for more regarding the Winona State men's basketball team as they host Upper Iowa University on Sunday, Jan. 2.
Who: Winona State University vs Upper Iowa University
What: The Warriors (6-4, 2-3 NSIC South) will face the Peacocks (12-1, 6-1 NSIC South)
When: Sunday, Jan. 2 with a 1:30 pm CST start.
Where: McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court, on the campus of Winona State University.
Winona State - #13 Upper Iowa MBB Notables:
A New Warrior Year!
Winona State will play at home for just the third time this season and are currently unbeaten in McCown at 2-0.
Winona State & Upper Iowa opened NSIC play against each other on Nov. 23, an 85-72 UIU win.
In last season's COVID-altered NSIC schedule, the Peacocks and Warriors played each other four times; WSU went 3-1 in those games, including a sweep on the road for Winona State at Dorman and a split in McCown.
In the UIU-WSU game earlier this year, the Warriors had four players reach double-figures; Alec Rosner (15), Owen King (14), Devin Whitelow (13), and Luke Martens (12).
Last time out vs. the Peacocks, Luke Martens had nine rebounds and two steals to go with him 12 points in the game.
Winona State holds a 6-4 overall record and is 2-3 within the jam packed NSIC South Division.
The Warriors fell to Southwest Minnesota State (49-50) and Sioux Falls (57-71) on the road last weekend in divisional match-ups.
WSU has the fourth-best defense in the NSIC, allowing just 66 points/game to their opponents this season.
The Warriors average 71.4 points/game on the offensive end, and hold a 5.5 point scoring margin over their opponents.
The Warriors average the fifth-most threes in the NSIC with 8.6 three pointers per game at a .352 percentage.
Devin Whitelow is found in the top-10 in the NSIC in assists (4.2/game), assist/turnover ratio (2.2), and steals (1.6).
Alec Rosner leads the Warriors with 15.7 points/game and 34.5 min/game.
Luke Martens leads Winona State in rebounds (7.5/game), and is third in scoring with 11.9 points/game.
Connor Drew and Drew Adams have shared time down low for WSU this season. Drew has averaged 9.6 points/game and Adams has averaged 5.9 points/game.
The most recent Winona State NSIC contests scheduled on Dec. 17-18 against Wayne State and Augustana were canceled due to COVID protocols, as was their non-conference match up at Michigan Tech scheduled for Dec. 20.
About Upper Iowa:
Upper Iowa comes into McCown Gymnasium at 12-1 overall and ranked #13 in the latest national NABC poll. Winona State has already knocked off one nationally ranked team at home this year, having beat then-#17 Minnesota State, 73-59.
Upper Iowa has earned NABC national rankings of 24th and 19th, respectively, so far this season.
UIU is paced by Jareese Williams (19.8) and Joe Smoldt (18.6).
Upper Iowa is 12-1 overall and 6-1 in the NSIC heading into the weekend. Their 6-1 mark within the conference has them in leading the NSIC South Division.
The Peacocks are currently ranked #13 by the NABC and No. 16 i the D2SIDA Division II Media Poll.
Upper Iowa concluded 2021 with a 3-0 week which included wins over Maryville University, No. 23 Augustana University and Wayne State College.
This week's notoriety marks the third time that UIU has been in the top 25 for the NABC poll this season.
Upper Iowa's only loss came to a team Winona State has defeated this year; the Peacocks fell to the Minnesota State Mavericks on Dec. 2, 98-96 in OT.
Jareese Williams leads the Peacocks with 19.8 points/game., while Joe Smoldt (18.6) and Jake Hilmer (14.2) also average double figures.
Dylan Jones leads the team in rebounding (5.9 rpg) while Nick Reid has ten blocks on the season so far.
Williams is third in the NSIC in ppg (19.8), while Smoldt (18.6) is sixth in the league. Minnesota Duluth is the only other school with two players also in the top-10 in scoring in the NSIC.
The Peacocks average 86.7 points/game, which is tops in the league, and their opponents average 75.2 points/game.
After taking on Winona State on Friday night, the Peacocks will travel to Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State next weekend.
For the most up-to-date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics
