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Official Athletics Site of the Upper Iowa Peacocks
Upper Iowa Peacocks
Jake Hughes

Men's Basketball Steven Wilson – Graduate Assistant, Sports Information

Peacocks Head to Rochester For Semifinals Matchup with BSU

Jake Hughes (Pictured) had a career-high eight assists last time the Peacocks played the Beavers and the senior hopes for continued success this weekend in the rematch

NSIC/Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket

UIU Game Notes || NSIC Weekly Release
NSIC Forecast (MP3) || BSU Game Notes 

Follow the Action on Twitter at:  #NSICTourney

This Week in Upper Iowa Men’s Basketball...  The Peacocks advanced to the semifinals of the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament for the first time in their Division II history thanks to a 73-55 victory over St. Cloud State on Saturday night. UIU will now continue the tournament on Friday as they head north to Rochester, Minnesota to take on the Beavers of Bemidji State (17-11, 13-9 NSIC). The Peacocks entered the tournament as the NSIC-South’s fourth seed, while the Beavers held the third seed in the NSIC-North. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. inside Taylor Arena.

The Series... The Beavers, who were the 2011-12 regular-season NSIC champions, hold a slim 7-6 advantage in their series with the Peacocks over the last ten seasons. UIU knocked off BSU, 81-67, in Fayette earlier this year thanks to a game-high 27 points from Sam Elgin. UIU shot an eye-popping 63-percent in that game.

Strong Showing... Not only has UIU posted an impressive 12-3 record away from home this year, but the Peacocks are 9-1 against the NSIC-North.

Regional Rankings... After a week away from the NCAA Central-Region Rankings, the Peacocks are back on the list. UIU holds down the number six spot, while four other NSIC teams are also included. Minnesota State is first, followed by Winona State (2) and Augustana (3). St. Cloud State is the final Northern Sun conference team on the list at ninth. The Peacocks join MSU and Augie as the only teams still playing for a NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament Championship. Click here to see the complete rankings.

Leading the Huskies... Dermaine Crockrell (14.6 ppg, 42% FG, 3.7 rpg, 3.1 apg) || Mason Walters (14.0 ppg, 48% FG, 30% 3FG, 7.9 rpg) || Lance Rongstad (12.3 ppg, 42% FG, 36% 3FG, 4.4 rpg) || Zach Noreen (9.7 ppg, 48% FG, 40% 3FG)

Third Time’s a Charm... This year marks the third time the Peacocks have competed in the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament since moving up to Division II play before the 2006-07 season. UIU was previously 0-2 in the postseason before this year’s run at the conference championship. With their victory over SCSU, the Peacocks have two postseason victories this year and they’re headed to the NSIC Tournament Semifinals for the first time ever. This season also marks the first time in Division II that UIU will finish the year with a winning record. The Peacocks’ need three more victories to tie the school-record for most wins (23) in a season (1998-99).

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.

Do or Die Time... The Peacocks survived the first two rounds of the 2012-13 NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament thanks to their red-hot offensive production and their dominating defense. UIU scored a season-high 86 points against Minot State in the opening round before posting 73 points on the St. Cloud State defense. The Peacocks also held the Huskies to just 55 total points and 32 percent shooting.  With every team needing a win to move on to the next round, the Peacocks will look to defeat the Beavers of Bemidji State for the second time this season. If UIU advances, the Peacocks would face the winner of the Minnesota State/Augustana matchup. The championship game will take place in Rochester, Minnesota on Saturday, March 9. Click here to view the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament Bracket.

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.

Exceeding Expectations… Picked to finish tied for 12th overall and seventh in the South Division, the Peacocks have proved their doubters wrong this season. According to league coaches in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, UIU was picked to finish tied with Bemidji State at the end of the regular season. Instead, the Peacocks racked up their best record since moving up to Division II. The Peacocks and Beavers are still playing for a NSIC/Sanford Health Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship.

Pass It On... In the Peacocks big victory last Saturday against St. Cloud State, UIU had 18 total assists - a number tied for their most this season against an NSIC opponent. The Peacocks also had 18 assists against Bemidji State earlier this year back in Fayette. In that game, Jake Hughes had a team- and career-high 8 assists, while totaling 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The Peacocks recorded a season-high 19 assists in a 67-26 victory over Menlo College back in December of 2012.

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 the NSIC, or listen to the UIU broadcasters by clicking on the listen live link above. The Peacock Athletic Fund Pregame Show will begin roughly 20 minutes before the scheduled tip off.
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