Arkansas Tech University will begin its 2015-16 men’s basketball season by welcoming three fellow NCAA Division II Central Region members for a classic at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14.
The Wonder Boys will take on Northern State University (S.D.) at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Minnesota State University-Moorhead at 7 p.m. Saturday. Saturday night’s game will be broadcast by radio station KCJC 102.3 FM.
The other games during the Great American Conference/Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Crossover will pit Harding University against Minnesota State-Moorhead at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Harding against Northern State at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Each of the four teams in the field has made at least one NCAA Tournament appearance within the last two years.
Live statistics and video from all games during the classic will be available at www.arkansastechsports.com.
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech was 18-14 overall, champion of the GAC Tournament and a participant in the NCAA Division II Tournament during the 2014-15 season. The Wonder Boys were 10-4 at Tucker Coliseum a year ago. Senior forward Nick Wayman (7.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game) is their top returning producer from a year ago. Head coach Chad Kline has 11 new players on his roster, including four transfers from NCAA Division I institutions.
About the Wolves: Northern State lost two exhibition games prior to the start of the 2015-16 season. The Wolves dropped a 92-88 decision to Briar Cliff University and suffered a 95-42 loss at the University of Nebraska. Northern State was 23-9 last year. It reached the 2015 NCAA Division II Tournament, the first appearance in the event for the Wolves since 2009. Senior guard Skye Warwick (10.9 points per game in 2014-15) and sophomore guard D.J. Pollard (9.8 points per game in 2014-15) are returning starters for Northern State.
About the Bisons: Harding University was 14-14 overall and a semifinalist in the GAC Tournament last season. Senior forward Andraz Kavas is a preseason All-America selection after averaging 20.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 2014-15. The Bisons are preseason favorites to win the 2015-16 GAC championship according to a preseason poll of league head coaches.
About the Dragons: Minnesota State-Moorhead got a jump start on the 2015-16 season by participating in the CCA D2 Tip-Off Classic in Los Angeles, Calif., Oct. 30-Nov. 1. The Dragons went 2-1 in the event. Senior center Isaac Sevlie (24.3 points, 8.0 rebounds per game) was their leading scorer and rebounder during the season-opening classic. Minnesota State-Moorhead was NCAA Division II Central Region champion last season. The Dragons lost in the national quarterfinals of the 2015 NCAA Tournament to finish with an overall record of 35-4.
