This Week in Upper Iowa Men’s Basketball... After two heartbreaking losses at home last weekend, the Peacocks will take to the road, looking for a rebound. On Friday night, UIU will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. to face the Augustana Vikings (18-6, 14-6 NSIC) at 8 p.m. inside the Elmen Center. The Peacocks will follow that game up with a Saturday matchup against the Wayne State Wildcats (16-10, 10-10 NSIC) with tip off scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Rice Auditorium.
The Series… Over the past six seasons, the Peacocks and Vikings have squared off eight times, with Augie taking six of those contests, including a win earlier this season. However, the Peacocks have split their meetings with the Vikings in each of the last two seasons. On the other hand, WSC is 5-4 against the Peacocks since the 2007-08 season, despite a UIU victory in each of the last three seasons. The Peacocks defeated the Wildcats 77-56 at home earlier this season.
Leading the Vikings...Cameron McCaffrey (20.5 ppg, 4.0 apg, 45% FG, 35% 3FG, 0.9 spg) || Daniel Jansen (11.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 51% FG, 37% 3FG) || Alex Richter (8.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 44% FG) || Casey Schilling (7.1 ppg, 45% FG, 47% 3FG)
Leading the Wildcats... Amry Shelby (14.4 ppg, 2.3 apg, 46% FG, 36% 3FG) || Derrell Williams (11.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 52% FG) || LaTroy Wright (10.8 ppg, 51% FG, 41% 3FG, 3.1 apg) || Ryan Rolfzen (7.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 44% FG, 23 blocks)
Playoff Bound... The 2012-13 NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament is right around the corner. With the opening round scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 26th, the Peacocks have a chance at hosting a first round playoff game. UIU currently sits in fourth place in the ultra-competitive NSIC South, but the Peacocks could move up to third, or fall to fifth before the end of the season. With the top four teams in each division hosting at least one playoff game, the Peacocks have a multitude of scenarios in front of them. Because the North will play the South right off the bat, UIU could see Minot State, Bemidji State, MSU Moorhead or Northern State in that first round game. The Peacocks finished the regular season 7-1 against the NSIC-North. A lot still rides on this final weekend of regular-season play. Click here to view the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament Bracket.
Road Warriors... Despite a .500 record at home, the Peacocks have thrived on the road this year. After opening up the season with a 3-0 record away from Dorman Gym, UIU has stormed out to a 10-2 mark away from home. UIU has also swept six NSIC teams in three seperate weekends.
Regional Rankings... The first Division II central region poll came out on Feb. 20th and the Peacocks were ranked 10th. Five other Northern Sun teams were ranked in the top-ten: WSU (1), MSU (2), Augie (3), SCSU (4), SMSU (9).
Down To Earth Defense... All year, the Peacocks have done a solid job defensively against teams. It's a vast comparison, though, when you consider where the Peacocks finished last season. Allowing almost 72 points per game, UIU was never able to crack the top 100 in the nation. This year, though, the Peacocks have solidified their defense as a top 50 defense. UIU's second-best defense in the conference is also the 41st best defense in the country in terms of points allowed per game (64). Opponents are shooting just over 43 percent from the floor, which is also a top five mark in the NSIC. Furthermore, UIU has allowed only five teams all season to reach 71 points or more and only two teams have shot 50% or better against UIU this season.
NSIC Rankings... As mentioned above, the dominant defense UIU has played is becoming a mainstay for the Peacocks this year. In turn, that aggressive play has helped them climb the ranks in the NSIC, and not just on defense. Not only is UIU's defense ranked second in scoring (64 ppg), but the team, as a whole, is sixth in scoring margin (+4.5), third in free throw percentage (75%), eigth in field-goal percentage (45%), fifth in field goal percentage defense (42%), second in three-point field goal defense (32%) and the Peacocks have the sixth best assist-to-turnover ratio (1.09). UIU is also listed in the top 10 in rebounding margin (+1.3), rebounding defense (31.5), assists per game (12.4), steals per game (6.3) and turnover margin (+0.77).
Speaking of Rankings... Three of the five seniors who will be playing in their final regular-season weekend are ranked in at least one category in the NSIC this season. Tucker Wentzien and Sam Elgin are both ranked in the top 25 in scoring. Wentzien sits in 14th thanks to his 13.5 points per game average, while Elgin falls in at 24th with 11.8 points per game. Jake Hughes sits in second place in the NSIC with his 58.5 field goal percentage, while Wentzien ranks 17th in rebounding (5.5 per game) and Elgin ranks fourth in the conference and 23rd in the nation with an 87.5 free throw percentage.
Tune In... Don't forget to click on the live option links above to follow all of the Peacock action as it happens live! Follow along with the live stats links, or listen to the UIU broadcasters by clicking on the listen live or watch live links. The Peacock Athletic Fund Pregame Show will begin roughly 15 minutes before the scheduled tip off. Click here to listen to all the action live from Sioux Falls and Wayne, Neb.
