This Week in Upper Iowa Men’s Basketball... The Peacocks’ postseason hopes stayed alive as UIU was awarded the sixth-seed in the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament on Sunday night. The Peacocks will play third-seeded Augustana (21-8) for the third time this season in the quarterfinals of the tournament, which begins on Saturday March 16 at noon inside the Taylor Center on the campus of Minnsota State University, Mankato.
 
The Series... Over the past six seasons, the Peacocks and Vikings have squared off nine times, with Augie taking six of those contests. However, UIU has split its meetings with the Vikings in each of the last three seasons, including this season. In their February matchup, Tucker Wentzien led the Peacocks with a career-high 31 points as UIU knocked off the Vikings in South Dakota.
 
Road Trip!... UIU has found a way to make the road a home away from home this season. The Peacocks are perfect in a lot of gyms throughout the north-Midwest this year, including the Taylor Center where they are 1-0. UIU owns an impressive 12-4 record away from Dorman Gym this season and the team holds the record for most road sweeps during a season (3) since UIU joined the NSIC.
 
Exceeding Expectations... The Peacocks, who were a 2012 preseason pick to finish tied for 12th in the conference and seventh in the south division, have really exceeded their expectations this season.

Leading the Vikings...Cameron McCaffrey (21.1 ppg, 4.6 apg, 46% FG, 34% 3FG, 0.9 spg) || Daniel Jansen (11.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 51% FG, 40% 3FG, 22 blocks) || Alex Richter (8.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 43% FG) || Casey Schilling (8.4 ppg, 43% FG, 43% 3FG)

History in the Making... Every time Upper Iowa wins, history is rewritten. This season marks the first time since moving to Division II that the Peacocks will finish the year with a winning record. This is also the first time ever that UIU will enter the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament. The Peacocks reached the NSIC/Sanford Health Men’s Basketball Tournament Semifinals for the first time ever last Friday. UIU was previously 0-2 in the postseason before this year’s run at a championship. Finally, the Peacocks need just three more victories this year to tie the school-record for most wins (23) in a season (1998-99).
 
Down to Earth Defense... All year long, the Peacocks have boasted a defense capable of winning a championship. But this year’s squad is vastly different compared to where the defense finished last season. UIU allowed nearly 72 points per game at the conclusion of last season and that defense was never cracked the top-100 national rankings. This year, though, the Peacocks own a top-50 nationally-ranked defense. UIU’s second-best defense in the conference is also the 33rd-best defense in the nation in terms of points per game allowed (64). Opponents are shooting just over 43-percent from the floor, which ranks in the top five in the NSIC. Futhermore, UIU has allowed only five teams all season to score 71 points or more in a game and only five teams have shot 50-percent or better against the Peacocks in 2012-13.
 
Senior Studs... The Peacocks are playing in their first Division II Regional tournament ever thanks to a couple of magical senior seasons. Tucker Wentzien has practically ensured a future spot in the Upper Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame after leading the team in scoring and rebounding, breaking the 1,000-point mark in his career and earning All-NSIC First Team Honors in his senior season. Sam Elgin has also had the best year of his career in 2012-13. Elgin has the second-most points, blocks, rebounds and the third-most steals on the team this year from his wing position. Rounding up the storied seasons, Jake Hughes has been a fundamental piece for the Peacocks on and off the court. His 9.6 points per game is third on the team, while his 56-percent shooting average ranks first. Hughes also has the second most assists and steals on the team this season.

Wentzien Tabbed All-NSIC First Team Performer... The Northern Sun Conference announced its Men’s Basketball All-Conference selections on Wednesday afternoon and Tucker Wentzien was named to the All-NSIC First Team following a stellar senior season. Wentzien earned his spot on the list after his most impressive statistical season as a Peacock in which he led his team in scoring and rebounding throughout the regular season and the postseason. During the 2012-13 year, the Solon, Iowa native broke the 1,000-point barrier in his career, picked up NSIC Player of the Week honors and was named to the All-NSIC First Team, while finishing 11th in the conference in scoring and rebounding. Click here to view the full release.

Scoring Seventy... The Peacocks are a perfect 15-0 this year when they score 70 or more points in a game, compared to an 0-4 record when they score less than 59 points in a game. UIU is also 4-0 when scoring more than 80 points in a game, including the Peacocks' opening-round victory at home against Minot State.

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 the live video link, which are all provided by MSU, or listen to the UIU broadcasters by clicking on the listen live link above. The Peacock Athletic Fund Pregame Show will begin roughly 25 minutes before the scheduled tip off.