WAYNE, NE. – The first home games of 2025 were as electric as you could get to start the second half of a season. However, the first road games of the new year were not kind to the Minot State men's basketball team.

Following two tough losses to Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota, the Minot State men's basketball team looks to get back in the already sizable win column. They will travel southbound for duels against the Wayne State College Wildcats and Augustana University Vikings.

Minot State (17-2, 8-2 NSIC) has two more left to play in the 4-game road trip. Kicking off the weekend, they face the Wildcats (10-7, 4-7 NSIC), who had a great non-conference session but have not been as productive in conference play despite a two-game winning streak. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Then on Saturday, the Beavers return to Sioux Falls to battle the red-hot Vikings (9-8, 6-5 NSIC) in a 3:30 p.m. start time at the Elmen Center.

Looking ahead to each matchup, Wayne State is coming off a successful weekend sweep of Northern State and University of Mary. The Wildcats took a convincing one over the Marauders 83-58. Against the Beavers, they are 5-5 all-time in what has been an even battle over the years since they first met on January 18, 2013. Minot State got the best of the Wildcats in their last meeting with a 71-60 win last year on January 27.

As for Augustana, they took care of business as well against Mary and Northern last weekend. Their recent 86-73 win against the Wolves extended a winning streak of 6 games. Minot State is 5-6 all-time when playing the Vikings and hope to return the favor after losing in the previous meeting 77-67 on January 25, 2024.

On the court, the Wildcats are led by Matt Noll. The Freshman phenom has gathered 13.9 PPG in all 17 games played. Alongside Noll is Cody McCullough, who has factored back into the lineup after missing a few games. McCullough, along with JJ Ferrin, are tied with 11.4 PPG. McCullough also hauls in 6.6 RPG in 14 games played.

Augustana has not one, but two top-end scorers. The Beavers will have to be on the lookout for Tanner Te Slaa (14.2 PPG) and Akoi Akoi (14.1 PPG) as they will be a handful on the hardwood. As a bonus, Te Slaa reels in 6.1 RPG.

Just recently nominated for the Bevo Francis Award, Caleb Van De Griend has been a workhorse for Minot State men's basketball. He possesses a double-double average with 18.8 PPG and 12.9 RPG leading the Beavers. Next in line is Jalen Cook with 15.1 PPG. For the Beavers, usually anyone can be good on any given night or there is a nice balance of scoring. The starting five has 4 players in double digit scoring averages, with Jaxon Gunville (11.8 PPG, 37% 3PT) and Ayouba Berthe (12.3 PPG).
 
Recent Games
Minot State had a rough go at it last weekend in Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota. After an unexpected 24-point loss to the Cougars (85-61 final), the Beavers battled but fell short to the Mustangs 76-73 on the road. Van De Griend was at the top again with 20 points and 19 rebounds for another double-double effort. Sam West and Jalen Cook scored 16 points each, with Jaden Wysocki providing 8 points off the bench.