MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The North Dakota men's basketball team will travel down to the twin cities for its second and final exhibition game of the season against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday at Williams Arena. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. on Big Ten Network + and Fighting Hawks Radio Network (1440 KKXL-AM The Fan) with Paul Ralston on the radio call.

It is the first meeting (exhibition or regular season) between the Hawks and Gophers since Dec. 4, 2020, with the two teams squaring off a total of 22 times in regular season action, with their first matchup dating back to Feb. 17, 1914.

Balanced Scoring in First Exhibition
The Hawks are coming off an 82-61 exhibition victory over Jamestown last Saturday, in a game that they led by as many as 29. UND had five players in double-figures, in George Natsvlishvili (12), Garrett Anderson (12), Marley Curtis (12), Zach Kraft (10) and Greyson Uelmen (10). The Hawks shot 28-for-53 from the field, with 50 points in the paint.

Scouting the Opposition
Minnesota comes into this matchup after defeating North Dakota State 80-54 last Saturday at home. They were led by former Belmont standout Cade Tyson who poured in 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting and 6-of-9 from three.

The Gophers return zero starters from a season ago, with a roster that features 13 new players, including first year head coach Niko Medved who spent the previous seven seasons as the head coach at Colorado State.

Homecoming for Some Hawks
UND's roster features six players from the state of Minnesota in Eli King (Caledonia), Marley Curtis (St. Louis Park), Micah Curtis (St. Louis Park), Anthony Smith lll (Hopkins), Matthew Bothun (St. Francis) and Greyson Uelmen (Excelsior).

Picking Your Pocket
North Dakota captured 12 steals in Saturday's exhibition, led by guards Smith lll (4) and Uelmen (3), who combined for seven steals on the afternoon. UND ranked sixth in the Summit League a season ago, averaging 5.70 steals/game in 2024-25.

Pregame Notes

• The 2025-26 Hawks feature eight returners and seven newcomers
• The Hawks lost 71.3% of minutes played, 78.9% of points scored, 67.9% of three pointers made, 69.1% of assists and 67.1% of rebounds from the 2024-25 roster.
• Natsvlishvili shot 4-for-4 from the field on Saturday against Jamestown
• Kraft connected on two of the Hawks three total three pointers on Saturday, he hit two or more threes in seven contests last season
• Gophers forward BJ Omot spent two seasons in Grand Forks, where he averaged 14.3 points per game in 65 games and 65 starts, earning First Team All-Summit League in 2024
• King returns as the lone starter from last year's roster
• This roster features three seniors, two juniors, five sophomores (four red shirts) and five freshmen (one red shirt)

For more information on North Dakota men's basketball, follow on social media @UNDmbb or visit FightingHawks.com.
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