GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The North Dakota men's basketball team will travel to Denver this Thursday night, facing off with the Pioneers for the second time this season. The Fighting Hawks have won the last three games in the series, including a win in Grand Forks last month.
The last three meetings between the two have been two regular season meetings in Grand Forks and a Summit League tournament game in Sioux Falls—all double-digit wins for UND. The last game in Denver was a 78-71 win for the Pios.
Scouting the Opponent
The Pioneers are led by head coach Jeff Wulbrun, who is in his third season leading the program. From year one to year two in the program the team improved from 11 to 15 wins and already has 14 wins this season. Wulbrun has been an assistant at Stanford, Virginia Tech, Illinois State and UAB throughout his career and has been to the NCAA tournament at multiple schools.
The team is averaging 84.9 points per game, and allowing 81.2. From the floor the Pios is shooting .458 and .367 from three-point range. Tommy Bruner is the top scorer in the nation with 25.2 points per game, leading the top scoring offense in the Summit League. Touko Tainamo is second in the Summit League with 8.4 rebounds per game. Bruner leads the conference with 4.7 assists per game. Jaxon Brechley is fifth in the Summit League with 3.2 assists per game and has a 3.4/1 assist to turnover ratio.
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 183 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 televised 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.
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:
B.J. Omot – 2
Amar Kuljuhovic – 1
Eli King – 1
At least one three pointer:
B.J. Omot – 9
Eli King – 2
For more information on North Dakota men's basketball, follow us on social media @UNDmbasketball and visit fightinghawks.com.
