MINOT, N.D. – Last season, a Minot State men's basketball team filled with new faces advanced to the NSIC quarterfinals despite seven setbacks in one-possession games.

This season, that experience will benefit the Beavers who return five players who started double-digit games and who have added key newcomers in preparation to turn some of those close calls into victories.

"It was some gray hairs and a little bit of gray in the beard after last year because so many tight ones but man, was it fun to play all those games and compete and be right down to the wire," Minot State head coach Matt Murken said. "Finish those babies off this year and will be we'll be talking about how great of a year we had."

The year starts this weekend in Kansas as the Beavers play Rogers State (Okla.) on Saturday and Conference Challenge tournament host Newman on Sunday.

Minot State then plays at Montana State Billings on Nov. 18, and gets in a non-conference contest at Minnesota Crookston on Nov. 21, before making its home debut hosting Jamestown at the MSU Dome on Saturday, Nov. 25.

"There's just a lot of guys in the mix and we're excited to get out there and see who steps forward in game action," Murken said.

Experience will play a key this season for the Beavers, who are led by senior guard and All-NSIC performer Khari Broadway who had a standout first season at Minot State as he led the team in scoring (14.1 ppg), assists (2.7 apg), steals (36), and was third in rebounds per game (4.0 rpg).

Junior guard Jaxon Gunville (9.8 ppg) also made a huge impact, leading the team in 3-pointers with 66, while senior guard Ben Bohl (9.3 ppg) added 28 triples, and sophomore forward Connor Hollenbeck (9.5 ppg) had a team-high 5.8 rebounds per game, major contributors who add balance which will be key for Minot State this season.

"I really am excited about our balance, probably more so this year than I was last year as far as quality experience and guys that have been in big games and close games," Murken said.

Adding to that experience to create depth are a few transfers who Murken expects can make an instant impact in NCAA Division I transfer Jake Lieppert, a senior guard from Rice (Texas), and junior college All-American Kameron Givens, a junior guard from Rochester Community and Technical College.

Plus, the Beavers add four true freshmen and two redshirt-freshmen to the mix.

"They are kind of taking maybe a little bit longer to get in but there's certain days where I'm like, 'man, these guys can help us win games sooner rather than later,'" Minot State's coach added.

Depth, balanced play, and experience all will be keys in a very challenging NSIC as the Beavers look to make a run beyond the conference quarterfinals this time around.