LINK TO PRESEASON POLL

MINOT, N.D. – Under the guidance of a new head coach, and with a roster filled with new faces, the NSIC might be underestimating the Minot State men's basketball team.

With lots of changes coming after a first-ever berth to the NCAA National Tournament, the Beavers were picked to finish 11^th this season by the league's coaches as NSIC released the 2025-26 NSIC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll today.

While the Beavers were No. 11 with 79 points overall, Minot State was picked 3^rd in the North Division poll with 35 points.

"With only four players returning from last year's roster, and with 11 newcomers having joined the program, I am excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," new Minot State head coach Randall Herbst said. "We have some depth and some versatility; let's see where this thing goes."

Minot State opens the new season at the NSIC/GAC Crossover tournament hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State on Nov. 14-15, playing the host Savage Storm on Friday, and East Central (Okla.) on Saturday.

Southwest Minnesota State was a heavy favorite to win the NSIC title, and the South Division, as the Mustangs collected 11 first-place votes and 219 points overall, and 6 first-place votes and 48 points in the South Division poll.

South Division teams St. Cloud State, Minnesota State, Mankato, Concordia, St. Paul, and Augustana were the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5^th picks respectively in the overall poll as the Huskies had 2 first-place votes and 194 points, the Mavericks 1 first-place vote and 189 points, the Golden Bears 1 first-place vote and 176 points, and the Vikings had the final first-place vote and 174 points.

Minnesota Duluth tied with the Vikings for 5^th overall with 174 points, and the Bulldogs were the No. 1 pick in the North Division poll with 5 first-place votes and 47 points. Minnesota State Moorhead was next in the North poll with 2 first-place votes and 43 points, and 7^th overall with 138 points.

The South Division's Sioux Falls was next overall in 8^th with 120 points, then Winona State in 9^th with 115 points, and Wayne State in 10^th with 101 points, before Minot State, which was 11^th overall with 79 points, and third in the North Division poll with 35 points.

Bemidji State was 12^th overall with 71 points, and 4^th in the North poll with 30 points and 1 first-place vote, then Northern State, which was 13^th overall with 58 points, and 5^th in the North Poll 24 points, then Jamestown was 14^th with 54 points, and 6^th in the North poll with 22 points, Minnesota Crookston was 15^th overall with 30 points, and 7^th in the North poll with 12 points, then Mary was 16^th overall with 28 points, and 8^th in the North poll with 11 points.

The league also announced its Preseason Players of the Year and Players to Watch for each team, and Minot High School product Darik Dissette was named the Beavers' Player to Watch this season.

The junior guard transferred to Minot State after two successful seasons at NCAA Division I North Dakota State. The North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year and North Dakota's Mr. Basketball in 2022-23, Dissette averaged 2.8 points and 1.9 rebounds playing in 61 games over two seasons coming off the bench for the Bison.

"Darik is a long, athletic, versatile player who can play multiple positions on both sides of the floor," Herbst said. "He has a tremendous work ethic, he can run, rebound, slash, and is good in transition. We are excited to have him back in the Magic City."

Minnesota Duluth junior guard Caleb Siwek was named the North Division's Preseason Player of the Year, and Southwest Minnesota State's senior guard, Jakob Braaten, a First Team All-NSIC pick last year, was named the South Division's Preseason Player of the Year.
 

NSIC Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll

Rank	Team	Points
1	SW Minnesota State (11)	219
2	St. Cloud State (2)	194
3	Minnesota State, Mankato (1)	189
4	Concordia, St. Paul (1)	176
t5	Augustana (1)	174
t5	Minnesota Duluth	174
7	Minnesota State Moorhead	138
8	Sioux Falls	120
9	Winona State	115
10	Wayne State	101
11	Minot State	79
12	Bemidji State	71
13	Northern State	58
14	Jamestown	54
15	Minnesota Crookston	30
16	Mary	28

 

NSIC Preseason North Division Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll

Rank	Team	Points
1	Minnesota Duluth (5)	47
2	Minnesota State Moorhead (2)	43
3	Minot State	35
4	Bemidji State (1)	30
5	Northern State	24
6	Jamestown	22
7	Minnesota Crookston	12
8	Mary	11

 

NSIC Preseason South Division Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll

Rank	Team	Points
1	SW Minnesota State (6)	48
2	St. Cloud State (2)	44
t3	Augustana	31
t3	Minnesota State, Mankato	31
5	Concordia, St. Paul	30
6	Sioux Falls	15
7	Winona State	14
8	Wayne State	11