Men's Basketball 01.03.2002

No. 20 South Dakota Men's Basketball Team to Travel to UNC, UNO This Weekend

GAMETIME: No. 20 ranked South Dakota men's basketball team (10-2, 2-2 in the NCC) will travel to Northern Colorado (6-5, 1-2 in the NCC) on Jan. 4 and Nebraska-Omaha (11-3, 2-1 in the NCC) on Jan. 5 for a pair of North Central Conference encounters. On Friday, the Coyotes and Bears will play at approximately 9 p.m. (central). South Dakota faces Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday at 8 p.m. (25 minutes after conclusion of women's basketball game).

SERIES: Coyotes - Bears: South Dakota and Northern Colorado will meet for the 48th time with the Coyotes owning the series lead, 28-19. A year ago, the Coyotes defeated Northern Colorado, 64-62 at Greeley, Colo., and took a 80-74 decision at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes have won eight of 10, including two in a row. The last Bears' victory occurred in the 1999-00 season when UNC took a 84-82 decision in Greeley, Colo. Coyotes-Mavericks: This will be the 75th meeting between South Dakota and UNO with the Coyotes owning a 47 to 27 series margin. The Coyotes won both games vs. the Mavericks last year, taking a 83-70 decision at the DakotaDome and winning 70-67 at Omaha. The Coyotes have won eight straight games vs. the Mavericks. The last time UNO defeated South Dakota occurred during the 1996-97 season at Omaha when the Mavericks won 79-74 in overtime.

SOUTH DAKOTA PROBABLE STARTERS:

G - 03 -- Paul Marshall, 6'1, Sr., Winnebago, Ill. (18.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

G - 04 - Josh Mueller, 5'11, Fr., Hartford, S.D. (16.9 ppg, 6.08 apg, 3.4 rpg, 2.16 spg)

F - 22 -- Jimmie Foster, 6'4, Sr., Milwaukee, Wis. (11.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

F - 52 - Steve Anderson, 6'7, So., Rapid City, S.D. (10.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg)

C - 51 - J.D. Roberts, 6'6, Fr., Ponca, Neb. (7.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

SOUTH DAKOTA TOP RESERVES

G - 42 - Eric Hickenbottom, 6'6, Sr., Agency, Iowa (9.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

G - 10 - Luke Tibbetts, 6'3, Fr., Sioux Falls, S.D. (4.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg) F - 30 - Scott Hansen, 6'7, Sr., Coleridge, Neb. (5.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

F - 53 - Eric Holmstadt, 6'9, So., Monticello, Minn. (4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg)

NORTHERN COLORADO PROBABLE STARTERS

G - 25 - Jared Ramirez, 6'1, Sr., West Valley, Utah (11.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

G - 24 - Sean Nolen, 6'3, So., Aurora, Colo. (10.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg)

G - 34 - Aaron Austin, 6'3, Jr., Center Point, Iowa (10.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

F - 43 - Michael Morse, 6'6, So., Boulder, Colo. (12.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg)

F - 41 - Howard Jackson, 6'4, Sr., Oakdale, La. (10.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg)

Reserves: G - 44 - Justin Kalizewski, 6'0, Jr., Littleton, Colo. (11.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg); G - 20 - Kevin Knudson, 6'2, Jr., Westminter, Colo. (3.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg); F - 33 - Jason Viegut, 6'5, Jr., Loveland, Colo. (3.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg); F - 31 - Tim Graham, 6'7, So., Aurora, Colo. (2.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg); C - 55 - Josh Nigut, 6'9, Fr., Wilmette, Ill. (2.0 ppg., 2.5 rpg); F - 45 - Ari Zandman Zeman, Fr., Anchorage, Alaska (1.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg); G - 51 - Jake Perry, 6'3, Jr., Denver, Colo. (0.8 ppg, 0.5 rpg); G - 15 - Casey Gutting, 5'11, So., Fort Collins, Colo. (0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg)

NEBRASKA-OMAHA PROBABLE STARTERS

G - 04 - Alvin Mitchell, 6'1, Sr., Omaha, Neb. (14.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

G - 23 - Eddie King, 6'5, Sr., Chicago, Ill. (6.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

F - 55 - Adam Wetzel, 6'9, Jr., Red Oak, Iowa (11.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg)

F - 42 - Tola Dada 6'6, So., Omaha, Neb. (7.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

C - 44 - Dan Morrow, 6'5, Jr., Louisville, Neb. (9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Reserves: G - 12 - Seth Nelson, 6'1, Jr., Farmington, Ill. (9.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg); F - 33 - Corey Hahn, 6'3, Sr., Center Point, Ill. (8.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg); F - 32 - Alan Lainio, 6'6, Sr., Beach Park, Ill. (4.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg); F - 40 - James Mills, RF., Omaha, Neb. (4.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg); F - 50 - Micah Kohls, 6'7, Aurora, Neb. (3.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg); G - 25 - Jared Andersen, 6'6, So., Omaha, Neb. (2.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

RECENT ACTION: South Dakota won their NCC home opener with a 90-73 win over Augustana (7-4, 0-3 in the NCC) on Saturday night, Dec. 29. Freshman point guard Josh Mueller scored a career high 28 points to lead the Coyotes. Senior forward Eric Hickenbottom tied a career high with 19 points and he hit all five of his three-point field goals. The Coyotes connected on 13 of 21 three-point field goals for 61.9 percent. On Saturday, South Dakota State (10-2, 4-0 in the NCC) defeated South Dakota, 85-75, before 8,230 in attendance at the DakotaDome. Austin Hansen led the Jacks with 18 points while senior shooting guard Paul Marshall had 26 to lead the Coyotes. The loss snapped a five-game Coyotes' winning streak. UNC defeated North Dakota State, 87-76 in Fargo on Dec. 30 and lost to 87-78 to North Dakota in Grand Forks on Dec. 29. The Mavericks dropped a 92-88 OT decision to North Dakota on Dec. 30 and defeated North Dakota State, 87-78, on Dec. 29.

ON THE RECORD: South Dakota is 10-2 including a 7-1 record at home, 2-0 on a neutral floor, 2-2 in the NCC, 1-1 in road NCC games, 1-1 in home NCC games and 8-0 in nonconference games. POLLS: South Dakota is ranked #20 in the NABC/Division II Bulletin poll released Dec. 17. The next ranking will come out on Jan. 8, 2002. Kentucky Wesleyan (8-0) is ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: South Dakota is fourth in the North Central Region, trailing #5 St. Cloud State (10-0), Nebraska-Omaha (11-3), and Metro State (10-2).

USD HOME NONCONFERENCE STREAK AT 60: South Dakota has won 60 straight nonconference home basketball games, dating back to the 1991-92 season. In the third game of that season, the Coyotes fell in overtime to Gustavus-Adolphus, 91-85, at the DakotaDome. Dave Boots is 77-1 in home nonconference games since he came to South Dakota in 1988. South Dakota has won 39 of its past 40 nonconference games. A 30-game nonconference winning steak was snapped when South Dakota lost to Southwest State, 75-66, Dec. 1 on the road.

SOUTH DAKOTA MEN'S BB TEAM, INDIVIDUALS INCLUDED IN NCAA STATISTICAL LEADERS: South Dakota's men's basketball team and individual members are included in the NCAA Statistical Leaders released December 12. South Dakota men's team is fifth in scoring (93.3 per game) with Paul Marshall (Winnebago, Ill.) producing the top three-point shooting performance to date. Freshman guard Josh Mueller (Hartford, S.D.) is tied with several others for the best free throw performance to date (11-11, St. Cloud State, Dec. 7). The NCAA will release the next national statistics on Jan. 10.

Individual -

Assists: Josh Mueller (Fr., Hartford, S.D.), 13th, 6.7 per game Rebounds: Steve Anderson (So., Rapid City, S.D.), 24th, 9.7 per game Made 3-Point Field Goals Per Game: Paul Marshall (Sr., Winnebago, Ill.), 26th, 3.0 per game 3-Point Field Goal Percentage, Marshall, 29th, 51.20 percent (21-41) Individual - Game 3-Point Field Goals Made in Game: Paul Marshall, 1st, 8-10, Western State, Dec. 1 (104-78 win) Consecutive Free Throws in Game: Josh Mueller, 1st (tie), 11-11 vs. St. Cloud State, Dec. 7, 2001 (97-81 loss) Rebounds in Game: Steve Anderson, 2nd, 22, vs. Missouri Western State, Nov. 20, 2001 (98-85 win)

Team -

Scoring Margin: South Dakota, 18th, 18.4 per game (93.3 to 74.9) Scoring Offense: South Dakota, 5th, 93.3 per game Made 3-Point Field Goals Per Game: South Dakota, 26th, 8.4 per game Won-Loss Percentage: South Dakota, 24th, 6-1 record (.857 percent)

COYOTES ON THE RADIO: The University of South Dakota men's basketball games home and away can be heard on KVHT- FM 106.3, Vermillion/Yankton, S.D. Kevin Culhane begins his fifth year as voice of the Coyotes. Veteran broadcaster Joe Van Goor will provide color. A pre-game show begins one half-hour prior to tip-off. The game is also available on the internet at www.usdcoyotes.com and on Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 (team code - 6056). Since 1990, Teamline has provided live coverage of over 40,000 events annually for over 500 college and pro sports teams, directly to consumers over any telephone in the world.

ANDERSON, MARSHALL TIE RECORDS: ~ Steve Anderson of Rapid City, S.D., tied a DakotaDome record by grabbing 22 rebounds vs. Missouri Western on Nov. 20, He tied the record held by two others (Doug "Joe" Moeller, vs. Northern Colorado, 2-23-91; Bruce Bykowski, vs. Northern Colorado, 1-24-82).

~ Paul Marshall hit eight of 10 three-point field goals for 26 points in the 104-78 win over Western State on Saturday at the Sioux Valley/Wells Fargo Basketball Classic at the Elmen Center. With the eight three-point field goals, Marshall tied the school record for made three-point field goals in a game. Marshall hit seven three-point shots in the first half, including six in the first seven minutes.

2001-02 NUMBERS: South Dakota is averaging 87.3 points and allowing 69.1 points per game. The Coyotes have made 360 of 764 field goals for 47.1 percent while converting 102 of 261 three-point field goals for 39.1 percent, or 8.5 per game. South Dakota has made 226 of 306 free throws for 73.9 percent. The Coyotes own a 42.1 (505) to 36.1 (433) advantage over opponents. South Dakota has committed 162 turnovers, or 13.5 per game while opponents have 207 turnovers or 17.2 per game. The Coyotes are averaging 8.8 steals (105), 3.6 blocked shots (43) and 15.3 assists (184) per game. South Dakota is outscoring opponents 497 to 389 in the first half and 551 to 440 in the second half for a total advantage of 1,048 to 829, or a margin of +18.2 per game.

AT THE HALF: South Dakota is 9-0 this season when leading at halftime. The Coyotes have won 23 of their last 24 games when leading at halftime. South Dakota had an 18-game winning streak snapped when the Coyotes have scored at least 80 points. St. Cloud stopped the streak with a 97-81 win on Dec. 7. However, the Coyotes have won 21 of its last 22 games when scoring over 80 points, including the 80-72 win over Minnesota State-Mankato on Dec. 8.

BREAKING 80-POINT BARRIER: In eight of the Coyotes' 12 games, they have broken the 80-point barrier. South Dakota 7-1 in games in which they have scored 80 points or more. The Coyotes have broken the 90-point barrier six times this season, including two wins in which they had over 100 points (100-36, Mount Senario, Nov. 26; 104-78, Western State, Dec. 1). The last time South Dakota scored 90 points in five consecutive games occurred during the 1998-99 season when the Coyotes scored over 90 points in five straight games (112-62, Bellevue; 96-62, Midland Lutheran; 93-52, Minnesota-Morris; 90-72, Doane; and 103-76 over Montana State-Billings). In fact, South Dakota scored over 90 points nine times during that NCC championship season when the Coyotes advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Three times that season, the Coyotes broke the century mark.

MILESTONE MARKS - SD APPROACHING 1000 VICTORIES, BOOTS HAS 281 WINS AT SD: In its 92nd year of basketball, South Dakota is approaching 1,000 victories. The Coyotes have a 997-885 record (.530) all-time record. South Dakota is also approaching 500 career victories in NCC play. They have a 499-495 (.502) record in NCC play, including a 159-79 (.668) mark while head coach Dave Boots has been head basketball coach (since 1988). Head coach Dave Boots won his 275th game as a South Dakota coach in the victory over Southwest State. He has a 281-108 (.722) mark at South Dakota. He is just four wins away from 400 career wins (396-171, .698). NCC STATS - In terms of individual player game highs, Paul Marshall leads all NCC players in made three-point field goals in a game with eight vs. Western State on Dec. 1. Freshman point guard Josh Mueller has a season's best in free throw shooting, making 11-11 vs. St. Cloud State on Dec. 7. Sophomore forward Steve Anderson has the best rebounding performance of the season with 22 (DakotaDome record) vs. Missouri Western on Nov. 21. In terms of team game highs by NCC schools in 2001-02, the Coyotes recorded the most rebounds (66) and steals (18) in their 100-36 nonconference win vs. Mount Senario on Nov. 26

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

Scoring: Paul Marshall, 4th, 18.4 ppg; Josh Mueller, 8th, 16.9 ppg; Field Goal Pct.: J.D. Roberts, 11th, 54.4 percent (37-68); Eric Hickenbottom, 12th, 54.1 (40-74); Paul Marshall, 14th, 53.6 percent (81-151); and Steve Anderson, 15th, 51.9 percent (41-79). Rebounding: Steve Anderson, 3rd, 8.8 rpg (106); Offensive Rebounds: Steve Anderson, 1st, 3.50 per game (42); Defensive Rebounds, Steve Anderson, 4th, 5.33 per game (64); Assists: Josh Mueller, 1st, 6.08 per game (73 assists); Free Throw Pct.: Eric Holmstadt, 4th, 89.3 percent (25-28); Josh Mueller, 7th, 86 percent (49-57); Jimmie Foster, 15th, 80 percent (36-45); Blocked Shots: Scott Hansen, 3rd, 1.0 (10); Steve Anderson, 6th, 0.83 per game (10); Steals: Josh Mueller, 1st, 2.17 per game (26); Jimmie Foster, 7th, 1.67 per game (20); 3-Point FG Pct.: Paul Marshall, 5th, 50.7 percent (37-73); 3-Point Field Goals Made, Paul Marshall, 2nd, 3.08 per game (37); Josh Mueller, 12th, 2.0 per game (24); Assist/Turnover Ratio: Josh Mueller, 3rd, 1.97 ratio (73 assists, 37 turnovers)

TEAM STATS:

Scoring Offense: 2nd, 87.3 per game; Scoring Defense: 2nd, 69.1; Scoring Margin: 3rd, 18.2 per game (87.3-69.1); Field Goal Percentage: 6th, 47.1 percent (360-764); 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: 5th, 39.1 percent (102-261); Rebounding Offense: 2nd, 42.1 per game (505); Scoring Defense, 2nd, 69.1 per game; Free Throw Percentage: 5th, 73.9 percent (226-306); Field Goal Pct. Defense: 2nd, 39.2 percent (291-742); 3-Point FG Pct. Defense: 6th, 35.5 percent (86-242); Rebounding Defense: 8th, 36.1 (433); Rebounding Margin, 2nd, 6.0 (42.1 to 36.1); Assists: 8th, 15.33 per game (184); Turnover Margin: 3rd, +3.75 (162 for South Dakota, 207 for opponents); Offensive Rebounds: 7th, 11.33 per game (136); 3-Point Field Goals Made: 4th, 8.50 per game (102); Blocked Shots: 3rd, 3.58 per game (43); Steals: 4th, 8.75 per game (105 steals); Assist/Turnover Ratio: 3rd, 1.14 ratio (184 assists to 162 turnovers); Defensive Rebounds: 2nd, 30.75 per game (369).

ON COACH BOOTS:

Dave Boots has recorded the most wins in the history of Coyote basketball as he has a 281-108 (.722) mark at South Dakota. Boots, who begins his 14th season at the Coyote helm, is one of the most respected coaches in the North Central Conference and NCAA Division II. Overall, he has been a collegiate head coach for 20 years, recording a 396-171 record. He has a 159-79 (.668) mark in NCC games. Boots, an assistant athletic director at USD, has led the Coyotes to five NCC titles, two North Central Region crowns and back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division II Elite 8 National Tournament (1992-94). The Coyotes who are consistently ranked in the NCAA Division II Top-20 poll have never had a losing season under Boots. Five times, including the 2001-02 season, he has been NCC Coach of the Year and three times, he was Kodak District Coach of the Year. South Dakota has averaged 21 wins over the past 13 seasons, which is remarkable in that South Dakota had not experienced a winning season since 1978-79 prior to his arrival at South Dakota in 1989. The 13 consecutive winning seasons is the longest streak of success in the proud history of South Dakota basketball. The Coyotes have won more games in the past 13 years (271) than the previous 20 years combined. Before coming to South Dakota, Boots guided Augsburg (Minn.) College to a pair of Minnesota Intercollegiate Conference titles. A native of North Branch, Minn., he constructed a 100-56 record at Augsburg, winning conference titles in 1983-84 (19-7, 17-3) and 1984-85 (21-7, 18-2). A 1979 graduate of Augsburg, he earned a master's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1982. As a senior at Augsburg during the 1978-79 season, Boots was named team captain, MVP, MIAC all-conference and all-District 13. He still holds the MIAC single-season free throw percentage record (.971) and Augsburg's career free throw percentage (.881). His 1984-85 Augsburg team advanced to the NCAA Division III south regional. He and his wife Peggy has two sons Nathan, 16, and Jordan, 12. His assistant coaches include Andy Markowski, a 1998 graduate of Nebraska; as well as Lance Musick, a 2001 graduate of Morningside College; Ben Ries, a 2001 graduate of South Dakota; and Marty Richter a 1999 graduate of Simpson College.

Boots at South Dakota

1988-89 - 17-15, 9-9 in the NCC, 5th 1989-90 - 22-10, 10-8 in the NCC, 5th 1990-91 - 20-10, 9-9 in the NCC, 5th 1991-92 - 19-9, 12-6 in the NCC, 2nd 1992-93 - 25-5, 16-2 in the NCC, 1st 1993-94 - 24-6, 15-3 in the NCC, 1st 1994-95 - 20-7, 11-7 in the NCC, 4th 1995-96 - 20-7, 12-6 in the NCC, 2nd 1996-97 - 18-11, 12-6 in the NCC, 2nd 1997-98 - 19-8, 10-8 in the NCC, 4th 1998-99 - 23-6, 14-4 in the NCC, 1st 1999-00 - 22-5, 13-5 in the NCC, 1st 2000-01 - 22-6, 14-4 in the NCC, 1st 2001-02 - 10-2, 2-2 in the NCC

SOUTH DAKOTA PLAYER PROFILES:

PAUL MARSHALL: Marshall has twice scored 27 points this season, including wins over Missouri Western (98-85) and Dakota Wesleyan (76-57). Marshall (Winnebago, Ill.). Marshall, who is averaging 19.5 points per game in NCC play (18.4 ppg overall), has hit 81 of 151 field goals for 53.6 percent, including 37 of 73 three-point field goals for 50.7 percent. He is 22-27 (81.5 percent) from the free throw line. Marshall is averaging 28.8 minutes, and 2.6 rebounds per game. Marshall has scored in double figures in 10 of 12 games, including five over 20 points (27, Missouri Western, Nov. 20; 26, Western State, Dec. 1; 25, Minnesota State-Mankato, Dec. 8; 27, Dakota Wesleyan, Dec. 16; 26, SDSU, Dec. 30, 2001). He has a season high of eight rebounds vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Dec. 16. Marshall is averaging 13.85 points per game in his career. He has made 97 of 220 three-point baskets for 44 percent and he is 75 of 93 (80.6 percent) from the free throw line in 40 games. His 97 three-point field goals places 11th on the career chart at South Dakota, moving past Nate Blessen (1996-00) and Doug Moeller (1987-91), who had 96 career three-pointers. He scored a career-high 33 points in a 83-70 win over Nebraska-Omaha on Jan. 6, 2001.

JOSH MUELLER: Mueller (Hartford, S.D.), a freshman point guard, is averaging 19.5 points per game in conference play and scores 16.9 ppg overall. He averages 2.1 steals, 6.06 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. Mueller has made 65 of 151 field goals for 43 percent and 24 of 77 three-point field goals for 31.2 percent. He has hit 49 of 57 free throws for 86 percent. Mueller is averaging 30.8 minutes per game. He scored a season and career-high 28 points vs. Augustana on Dec. 29 at the DakotaDome. He has reached double figure scoring in nine of the 12 games (23, 17, 16, 27, 20, 25,11, 28, 18). He has a season high of nine assists vs. Minnesota-Morris on Nov. 21. He has scored over 20 points on five occassions (23, 27, 20, 25, 28).

STEVE ANDERSON: Anderson (Rapid City, S.D.) is averaging 10.5 points (10.0 in NCC play) and 8.8 (6.0 in NCC play) rebounds per game. Averaging 26.2 minutes per game, the sophomore forward has hit 41 of 79 field goals for 51.9 percent and three of seven three-point field goals. He has made 41 of 58 free throws for 70.7 percent. In the win over Missouri Western (98-85), he tied a DakotaDome record with 22 rebounds. He opened the season with two consecutive double doubles (points and rebounds). He had 12 points and 22 rebounds vs. Missouri Western and 23 points (season and career high) and 10 rebounds vs. Minnesota-Morris (96-69 win) on Nov. 20. He has three double doubles, four double-digit rebound games and he has scored in double figures on seven occasions.

JIMMIE FOSTER: An all-NCC performer in 2000-01, Foster (Milwaukee, Wisc.) is averaging 11.2 points (7.8 in NCC play), 5.4 rebounds, and 27 minutes per game. He has made 46 of 123 field goals for 37.4 percent. He is six of 30 from three-point range (20 percent) and 36 of 45 (80 percent) from the free throw line. Foster has a season high of 16 points in the 104-78 win over Western State on Dec. 1. He has scored in double figures in eight games and has a season high of nine rebounds vs. Southwest State on Nov. 30. In his career at South Dakota, Foster is averaging 14.0 points per game. He scored a career high 30 points vs. Northern Colorado on Jan. 5, 2001.

J.D. ROBERTS: Roberts (Ponca, Neb.), who had season highs of 15 points and 13 rebounds in the 98-85 win over Missouri Western on Nov. 20, is averaging 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He has hit 37 of 68 field goals for 54.4 percent and 18 of 30 free throws for 60 percent. He is averaging 9.8 minutes per game.

ERIC HOLMSTADT: The sophomore forward/center is averaging 4.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Holmstadt (Monticello, Minn.) has hit 10 of 25 field goals for 40 percent and 25 of 28 free throws for 89.3 percent. He has a season high of 13 points and nine rebounds against Western State (104-78 win) on Dec. 1.He is averaging 10.6 minutes per game. LUKE TIBBETTS: A freshman point guard, Tibbetts (Sioux Falls, S.D. ) is averaging 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. He has hit 16 of 37 field goals for 43.2 percent and 10 of 21 free throws for 47.6 percent. He has made three of 10 three-point field goals. Tibbetts has a season and career high of 17 points in the win vs. Mount Senario (100-36) on Nov. 26. He is averaging 14.2 minutes per game.

ERIC HICKENBOTTOM: A senior guard/forward (Agency, Iowa), Hickenbottom is averaging 11.5 points per game in NCC play and 9.1 points and 4.0 rebounds overall. He has hit 40 of 74 field goals for 54.1 percent and is 10 of 26 (38.5 percent) from three-point range. He has made 19 of 28 free throws for 67.9 percent. He has a double double - 13 points and 11 rebounds -- in a 100-36 victory over Mount Senario on Nov. 26. He is averaging 22.4 minutes per game. Hickenbottom scored a season and career high 19 points in the 90-73 win over Augustana on Dec. 29. "Hick" also had a career high in points (19) and rebounds (13) vs. Bellevue on Nov. 29, 1998. He has five double figure scoring games.

SCOTT HANSEN: A senior forward (Coleridge, Neb.), he is averaging 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Hansen has a season high of 13 points vs. Southwest State on Nov. 30. He grabbed a season of 10 rebounds vs. Mount Senario on Nov. 26. Averaging 15.5 minutes per game, Hansen had a career-high 25 points vs. Minnesota-Morris on Nov. 20, 2000.

DANIEL TUMIS: A junior forward (Tomball, Texas), Tumis is averaging 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. In seven games, he is averaging 4.6 minutes. Tumis has made four of 10 field goals for 40 percent, including four of six three-point baskets for 66.7 percent. He is 2-2 from the free throw line. Tumis has a season high of six points vs. Simpson College on Dec. 21. Twice, he has grabbed a season high of four rebounds (Minnesota-Morris, Nov. 21; and Mount Senario, Nov. 26).

OPPONENT INFORMATION

UNC HEAD COACH CRAIG RASMUSON: In his third season at the helm of the UNC Bears, Rasmuson has a mark of 25-39 (.462) in two plus seasons. Prior to UNC, Rasmuson spent five seasons as head coach at Lincoln Memorial University, an NCAA Division II school in Harrogate Tenn. In 1998-99, the Railsplitters earned a share of the Gulf South Conference Easter Division Championship by going 17-10 and 11-3 in league play. In 1997-98, he was the Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year as his team had a 19-8 record and qualified for the league's postseason tourney for the first time in school history. During that year, Lincoln Memorial made several appearances in the NCAA II South Regional Poll, making it as high as No. 4 late in the season. Rasmuson, 33, is a native of Victor, N.Y., and he is married to the former Jennifer Mitchell of Ypsilanti, Mich. The Rasmusons have two children, Ella Shea and Mitchell Craig. ON UNC: UNC has a 6-5 overall record, including a 2-2 at home, 2-3 on the road and 2-0 on a neutral floor. The Bears were 5-3 in nonconference games, including 2-1 at home, 1-2 on the road and 2-0 on a neutral floor. UNC is 1-2 in the NCC, including a 0-1 mark at home and 1-1 record on the road. UNC has won three of its last four games. The Bears dropped their season opener to NCAA Division I Oregon State (PAC 10), 64-59. They have also dropped games to Colorado Mines, 62-60; Southern Colorado, 67-66; Nebraska-Omaha, 94-82; and North Dakota, 87-78. They have posted victories over Western State, 92-77; Florida Southern, 89-78; Alaska-Fairbanks, 93-68; Adams State, 101-86; Chaminade, 89-70; and NDSU, 87-76. UNC has outscored opponents 427 to 384 in the first half and 469 to 445 in the second half for an overall advantage of 896 to 829. The Bears average 81.5 points per game while limiting opponents to 75.4 per game or a 6.1 scoring margin advantage. UNC has made 291 of 612 field goals for 47.5 percent. They are 88 of 198 from the three-point arc for 44.4 percent and 226of 291 from the free throw line for 77.74 percent. The Bears average 8.0 three-point field goals with senior guard Jared Ramirez leading the team with 26 three-pointers in 43 attempts for 60.5 percent. UNC averages 15.5 assists, 15.3 turnovers, 7.0 steals and 1.8 blocked shots per game.

UNO HEAD COACH KEVIN MCKENNA: A graduate of Creighton, McKenna is 11-3 in his first seast at UNO. He was an assistant at Creighton from 1994-2001. Prior to that, McKenna was the head coach of the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the CBA for three seasons. A standout player at Creighton, McKenna played six seasons in the National Basketball Association and he was a member of the 1981-82 world champion Los Angeles Lakers. His staff includes Derrin Hansen, who begins his fourth season; and Kenya Crandell, who is in his first season.

ON UNO: UNO has a 11-3 overall record, including a 5-0 mark at home, 3-1 on the road and 3-2 on a neutral floor. The Mavericks were 9-2 in nonconference games, including 5-0 at home, 1-0 on the road and 3-2 on a neutral floor. UNO is 2-1 in the NCC, including a 0-0 mark at home and 2-1 record on the road. UNO had a six-game winning streak snapped when they dropped a 92-88 decision in overtime to North Dakota in Grand Forks on Dec. 30. Alvin Mitchell and Corey Hahn both scored 18 points to lead UNO. The other UNO losses include: Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 87-68; and Grand Valley State, 86-84 in their season opener. The Mavericks have defeated New York Tech, 68-61; Texas A&M Commerce, 90-58; Dakota Wesleyan, 92-59; Winona State, 82-65; San Jose State, 65-59; Nebraska-Kearney, 81-73; Northern Colorado, 94-82; Wayne State College, 81-70; Bellevue, 71-55; Midland Lutheran, 110-68; and NDSU, 74-65. UNO has outscored opponents 551 to 460 in the first half and 589 to 508 in the second half for an overall advantage of 1,148 to 980. The Bears average 82 points per game (85.3 in conference) while limiting opponents to 70.0 (79.7 in the NCC) per game or a 12.0 scoring margin advantage. UNO has made 428 of 910 field goals for 47 percent. They are 88 of 232 from the three-point arc for 37.9 percent and 204 of 293 from the free throw line for 69.6 percent. Mitchell leads the Mavericks in scoring at 14.9 per game and he has hit a team-high 27 of 58 three-point field goals for 46.6 percent. Dan Morrow, who averages, 9 points a game, has hit 23 of 60 three-pointers for 38.3 percent while Seth Nelson comes off the bench to provide 9.4 points per game. He is averaging a team high 13.7 points per game in NCC play. He is 21 of 51 from three-point range this season.