This week in Upper Iowa Men's Basketball... The Peacocks will take to the road for the first time in the new year as they head northwest to North Dakota. The Peacocks will face Minot State on Friday night at 8 PM inside the MSU Dome. Then, on Saturday night the Peacocks will face the Marauders of the University of Mary at 6 PM.
The Series... The Peacocks and the Marauders have squared off ten times over the past six seasons. Both teams have taken five games in the series, but UIU has just one win in Bismark, North Dakota. The solo victory came in overtime last season, 76-72. The Peacocks have faced Minot State much less frequently. A new member to the NSIC this season, the Beavers lost their only matchup to the Peacocks in a non-conference game in Winona last season.
Peacocks Split Opening Games of 2013... The Peacocks sunk a season-high 39-of-47 free throws last Friday night inside Dorman Gymnasium to hold on to a nine-point victory over visiting University of Sioux Falls, 71-62. The win marked the Peacocks' fifth win in conference play and their best start since moving to Division II play. UIU would not get win number six a day later, though. A Southwest Minnesota State team, which went to the NCAA Tournament last year, came into Fayette and escaped with a narrow five-point victory thanks to a red-hot 52 percent shooting outing. Senior guard Jake Hughes led the Peacocks in scoring over the weekend averaging 14.5 ppg. He also shot 11-of-14 from the free throw line against the Cougars and Mustangs.
A Breathe of Fresh "Kierre"... Sophomore post Kierre Ogbonna provided a spark for the UIU men's basketball team this past weekend coming off the bench and contributing a combined 18 points in the Peacocks two conference games. The Brown Deer, Wisconsin native also collected eight rebounds - with five of those being offensive rebounds - and went a combined 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. UIU Head Coach Brian Dolan said, "Kierre is a spark and we’re excited to see him on the floor and see what he can do. He hasn’t played basketball competitively in a year and a half, so it's good to see him on the court.” With all the injuries the Peacocks have endured, Ogbonna's contributions are warmly welcomed from Dolan and the team.
Dominant Defense... Last season the Peacocks gave up an average of 71 points per game to opponents. So far this year, the defense hasn't been a problem. Rather, UIU has relied on its defense to finsih out games. UIU is holding its opponents to just 62 ppg this season, a number good enough for third place in the conference. The Peacocks have allowed only four teams to reach 71 points or more and only two opponents have shot 50% or better against UIU this season.
Leading the Beavers... E.J. Williams (10.4 ppg, 53% FG, 43% 3FG, 1.4 apg) || Anthony Enriquez (8.8 ppg, 38% FG, 2.1 rpg) || Dominique McDonald (8.1ppg, 37% FG, 3 rpg, 3 apg) || Thomas Korf (6.7 ppg, 41% FG, 40% 3FG, 1.5 rpg)
Leading the Marauders... Alex Dorr (15.0 ppg, 44% FG, 41% 3FG, 8.5 rpg, 1.2 apg) || Josh Turner (13.5 ppg, 40% FG, 37% 3FG, 2.5 apg) || Jalen Jaspers (9 ppg, 52% FG, 44% 3FG, 3.8 rpg) || Marc Musungayi (8.7 ppg, 58% FG, 5.7 rpg, 10 blocks)
NSIC Rankings... The defensive dominance by the Peacocks this season has helped them climb the ranks in the conference. Not only is UIU's defense ranked third in scoring defense (62 ppg), but the team, as a whole, is fifth in scoring margin (+6.5), fourth in free throw percentage (74%), fourth in 3-point field goal defense (32%) and the Peacocks have the fifth best turnover margin (+1).
Playing Under the Lights... Saturday's NSIC contest against the Marauders will be televised throughtout central and western North Dakota on local NBC channels. The last time the Peacocks were televised they picked up a 61-48 victory on the road against the University of Minnesota, Crookston on January 14th, 2012.
Sights Set on 1,000... Speaking of Wentzien, the senior is only 36 points shy of the 1,000 point plateau. The Solon, Iowa native reached the 964 mark after scoring eight points over the weekend. Wentzien will become the 22nd member of the distinctive 1,000-point club. On Feb. 24, 2010 Matt Lesan became the 21st Peacock in program history to break the 1,000-point barrier for a career in a 66-58 loss at Winona State. Lesan finished his career with 1,383 points over four years at UIU. Jim Bushkofsky is the all-time leading scorer in Upper Iowa men's basketball history as he finished his four-year career with 2,194 points at the end of the 1973-74 season. Bushkofsky also holds the record for most points scored in a season with 855 during his junior campaign.
Up Next... After the Peacocks' roadtrip to Minot and Bismark, North Dakota, UIU will have a mid-week showdown with its travel partner - Winona State - on the 15th of January. The Peacocks and Warriors faced off in week one of conference play with UIU emerging victorious on a last-second Tucker Wentzien reverse layup. Tip-off for that game is set for 8 PM. Click here to view the Peacocks full schedule.
Tune In...Don't forget to click on the live option links above to follow all of the Peacock action live! Keep in mind that the live video link is being supplied by MISU and U-Mary and will include the Beavers' and the Marauders' audio broadcast. Also, don't forget catch the Peacock Athletic Fund Pregame show with Steven Wilson by clicking on the listen live link above, or by clicking here. The pregame show will begin promptly 15 minutes before tip-off.
