WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team opens the 2025 regular season in Pittsburg, Kansas where they face off against Southern Arkansas University and #2 Washburn University in the 2025 Central Region Challenge. The Warriors play Southern Arkansas University on Friday, November 14th at 1:00pm and will take on #2 Washburn University on Saturday, November 15th at 5:00pm.
This is the first time Winona State will face off against Southern Arkansas University. The Warriors are 3-0 all time against Washburn with the last matchup all the way back in 1938.
Winona State Notes:
- Last season, WSU finished 22-11 overall and 14-8 within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
- The Warriors enter the 2025 season ranked ninth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- The Winona State offense put up 79 points on Sunday, November 2nd in an exhibition against Saint Mary's University.
- Freshman Aidan Bardic scored 16 points on a perfect seven-of-seven shooting from the field.
- Transfer Ryan Heise dropped 15 points and picked up six rebounds in the contest.
- Gavyn Hurley added 12 points on an efficient six-of-seven shooting from the field.
- Sophomore Jackson Hayes rounded out the Warriors double digit scorers with 11 points in the victory.
- The Warriors roster also returns Johnny Papadakos, Nick Taylor, Tyler Mason, Connor Roffers, and Tyson Keil who all saw minutes last season. Tyler Borowski and Caleb Johnson return to the squad as well.
- Winona State brings in talent from other programs this season with Joevonn McCottry, Jaron Crews, Kaiden Space, and Kayden Wells all come in as transfers from respective programs.
- Rounding out the Warriors roster is the other freshman consisting of Alessandro Tonelli, Ryan Watters, and Kellen Little.
Southern Arkansas Notes:
- Southern Arkansas finished the 2024-25 season 12-16 and 9-13 in the GAC.
- The Muleriders lost in a close 74-70 exhibition against Houston Christian University on November 3rd.
- Head Coach Mark Rutkedge enters his second season the program.
- Greg Moore Jr. led the Muleriders with 20 points and four steals in the loss.
- Troy'reon Ramos chipped in with 13 points and four assists in the matchup.
- Chase Jenkins added eight points and a team-leading eight rebounds off the bench.
- Following the game against the Warriors, SAU will face off against Bemidji State University on November 15th at 11:00am.
#2 Washburn University Notes:
- Washburn University finished the 2024-25 season 30-4 and 17-2 in the MIAA.
- The Ichabod's were picked to finish first in the MIAA Preseason Poll after reaching the Final Four a season ago.
- Head Coach Brett Ballard enters his ninth season at the helm of the Washburn basketball program including reaching the NCAA postseason five times.
- The 2025-26 team is 2-0 with a huge 89-77 win against #3 Dallas Baptist University a few weeks ago.
- Washburn is led by sophomore Dillion Claussen, who is averaging a team-best 22.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in their two victories.
- Jack Bachelor will be a key player to watch as he averages 20 points and 6.5 assists in the 2025-26 campaign.
- Jeremiah Jones averages a respectable 13 points a game with a team-leading 7.5 steals per game so far this season.
- Washburn will face off against Minnesota State-Moorhead on Friday, November 14th before they come back the next day to face the Warriors.
