GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The North Dakota men's basketball team plays its first game of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge Wednesday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Hawks are taking on a former conference foe in the Bears, whom UND last played in 2018.
Next Game: vs. Northern Colorado
North Dakota plays its first game as part of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge on Wednesday, taking on Northern Colorado for the first time since 2018; when the two were Big Sky opponents.
Series History vs. the Bears
North Dakota holds a 45-26 lead in the overall series. The first meeting was on March 6, 1966, an 84-71 win for the Fighting Sioux. The most recent meeting was on February 24, 2018 – win for the Bears in Grand Forks 79-66.
The series has seen a number of streaks by both teams over the series. UND won 16 of the first 20 meetings in the series but UNC has won six of the last ten and the last two.
Scouting the Opponent
The Bears are led by Coach Steve Smiley, who is in his fourth season leading the Bears; and eighth season with the program overall. He has made other stops as an assistant coach and was also a head coach and athletic director at Sheridan College in Wyoming.
The team is averaging 78.2 points per game, and allowing 77.1. From the floor the Bears are shooting .456 and .329 from three point range. Saint Thomas leads the team with 17.4 points per game, joined in double figures by Dejour Reaves with 14.9 and Brock Wisne with 11.5. Thomas leads the team with 9.4 rebounds per game, 20 steals and 40 assists. Thomas is tied with Theo Hughes with five blocks.
Living Downtown
Last season the team broke the program record for three pointers made in a single game with 18 against Kansas City, breaking the record set on December 14, 2021 against North Central University.
North Dakota has hit at least one triple in every game dating back to Mar. 1, 2018. The last time the Hawks did not make a three came on Feb. 24, 2018, when UND went 0-for-8 from downtown at Northern Colorado in a 79-66 loss. North Dakota has hit at least one three in each of the last 172 games played.
Watch and Listen
All North Dakota men's basketball games, home and away, can be heard on stations across the Home of Economy Radio Network, as well as through the iHeart Radio app; with Paul Ralston calling the action. The game will be on the Summit League Network.
Follow Us
Receive live updates during all UND men's basketball games by following @UNDmbasketball on X. Fans can also follow the Fighting Hawks on Facebook and Instagram @UNDmbasketball. FightingHawks.com will have up-to-the-minute stories, stats and more.
Coaching Connections
Both head coaches in this game are alumni of Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. – Sather class of '96 and Smiley class of '04. Smiley was also an assistant on Sather's staff at Black Hills State University (S.D.) during the 2005-06 season.
Last Season
North Dakota finished the 2022-23 campaign with a 13-20 record, a seven win improvement over 2021-22. The Fighting Hawks won their first Summit League Tournament game in three years with an 83-68 win over Denver in the first game of the tournament. The team won six of their last nine games, regular and postseason, last year.
Current Streaks With:
10+ points:
Tyree Ihenacho – 1
Tsotne Tsartsidze – 1
Eli King - 1
At least one three pointer:
Treysen Eaglestaff- 11
B.J. Omot- 10
Tyree Ihenacho- 3
Tsotne Tsartsidze- 3
Eli King - 2
For more information on North Dakota men's basketball, follow us on social media @UNDmbasketball and visit fightinghawks.com.
