MINOT, N.D. – The start to a new season always brings anticipation and excitement, but this start to a new year for the Minot State men's basketball team is extra exciting.

The Beavers open the 2026-27 season in "The Islands," playing three games this weekend at the Hawaii Tip-Off Classic, starting against Adelphi (N.Y.) on Friday, October 30, at 5:05 p.m. (Minot time).

"Obviously, you want to go over there and win some basketball games, which we're going to try to do, but the experience for the guys – I'm sure none of my players have been there before, let alone who knows if they'll ever get there again – and so having that experience is priceless," Minot State's second-year head coach said of the season-opening tournament.

The Beavers will play either Hawaii Pacific or St. Edwards (Texas) on Halloween in Saturday's second game, then wrap up the tournament on Sunday.

While providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the three games also tip off the season for the Beavers, who look to exceed the expectations of their NSIC rivals as Coach Herbst holds lofty, but realistic goals for his team.

"I want to win, and I want these guys to experience winning," Herbst said. "I want to win a championship. I've been a part of championships at multiple places, and postseason play, and I want that experience for our guys, and for this University and this athletic department," Minot State's coach said. "…Every night it's a battle, it's a fight, and you've just got to be ready to rock and roll and give it everything you got, and hopefully by the end of the season we're playing our best basketball."

This weekend in Hawaii will help build the team camaraderie on a Beaver roster filled with an equal mix of returners and newcomers.

Leading the way is 6-5 senior guard Sean De Kovachich, who started five games before being sidelined last season with an injury. De Kovachich averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 2025-26.

"He's back and healthy and at full strength, so we're excited to have Sean back," Herbst said.

He's joined by 5-11 senior guard Kiku Parker Jr., a part-time starter who led the Beavers with 70 assists while adding 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, and 34 steals.

"He had an outstanding summer and he's doing great in the fall," Minot State's coach said.

Also back after averaging over 15 minutes a game off the bench is 6-11 senior center Lovasoa Andriatsarafara, who had a team-high 16 blocks while averaging 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

"Our 7-footer, Lova is back, and we're again excited for him and his progress," Herbst said.

Minot State also returns redshirt Jayse Boatwright, along with Grayson Schaeffer, Parker Falcon, Drew Kempel, and Ramsey Walz, who each saw playing time a year ago.

They're joined by six newcomers led by All-Conference junior-college transfers Eden Hobbs, from Williston State, and Sedrick Nari, from North Platte CC, along with NCAA Division I transfer Ryan Erickson from the University of North Dakota.

Hobbs, a 6-5, junior wing, earned 1st Team All-MonDak honors last season and averaged 15.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Tetons, while Nari, a 6-5 guard, earned all-conference honors and averaged 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in his time with the Knights.

As for Erickson, a 6-10 center and Bismarck product who was the No. 2 prospect in North Dakota out of Century High School back in 2023, he played in 16 games for the Fighting Hawks during his D-I career.

They're joined by Bottineau High product Carson Haerer, a 6-0 guard who transfers from Williston State where he averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, Jarrett Dingle, a 6-0 guard from Pratt CC (Kan.) who averaged 12.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, and 6-8 forward Loic Affoumon, who transfers from Lake Land College (Ill.) where he averaged 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

"We've got a great locker room going on right now," Herbst said. "The guys care about each other; they value the work ethic and what it takes to play at a championship level, because that's our goal. Our goal is to win a championship and bring a championship to Minot State University, and this community and this city.

"That's what we're fighting for each and every day."

A title won't be easy to win in the very talented NSIC, which the Beavers know, but last season Minot State battled into overtime in the NSIC Tournament before falling to eventual tournament champion Minnesota Duluth, 74-68.

"So we're close, we're close," Minot State's coach said. "It's year two for me and my staff, and we have expectations, and we have goals set. Like I said, each and every day we are fighting for it, and scratching and clawing. And we have a great attitude and great energy, and we're going to try and compete for a championship."

The chase for a championship starts in Hawaii this weekend, and continues when the Beavers return to the mainland for non-conference tune-ups against Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines on the road in early November.

Minot State finally makes its home debut on Tuesday, November 17, hosting Bismarck State at 7 p.m. at the MSU Dome, then after a couple more non-conference contests, the Beavers open NSIC play hosting in-state rival the University of Mary in a pre-Thanksgiving battle on Tuesday, November 24, at 5:30 p.m.