THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK MEN'S BASKETBALL…
Upper Iowa (8-7, 1-5 NSIC) returns to action this weekend as they travel up to northern Minnesota to take on a pair of NSIC North division opponents. The Peacocks will match up with the Beavers of Bemidji State University on Saturday, Dec. 30 in Bemidji, Minn. before heading over to Crookston, Minn. on Sunday, Dec. 31 to battle the UM Crookston Golden Eagles. Both games will tip off at 3:30 p.m.
 

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PEACOCK STORYLINES...

LAST TIME OUT: The Peacocks earned a much-needed win on Dec. 19 in Dorman Gymnasium in their final home game of 2017. Upper Iowa outscored the Vikings of Bethany Lutheran College in a high-flying game, 94-89. The key was inside, as UIU outscored their guests 52-30 in points in the paint. Kam Rowan was a big factor in the game, scoring a team-high 22 points. Dennis Austin III, in his second game back after suffering an injury, scores 18 points, while Carson Parker tallied 16. Parker and Munachiso Okonkwo led the way with a game-high seven rebounds apiece.
 
WEEKEND IMPORTANCE: Upper Iowa is facing two important games this weekend within the NSIC. UIU is currently 1-5 in the south division of the conference, which places them in seventh within the eight-team division. At the end of the season, the top four teams in both divisions host the first round game of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. These two games could go a long way for the Peacocks to keep them within striking distance of the top four in the NSIC South.
 
RUN AND GUN: The Peacocks have shown the ability to get up and down the floor this season, and have used the three-point shot throughout the year. UIU leads the Northern Sun and ranks 20th nationally in three-point attempts this season with 331, and ranks sixth in three-point field goals made per game with 8.0. The team's 120 three-pointers made rank second in the NSIC and 30th in the nation. Smoldt leads the league and ranks 21st nationally with 96 three-point attempts, while Quentin Blaue's 79 rank third in the conference.
 
ASSISTING YOUR NEEDS: Parker has been one of the best in the NSIC and the country when it comes to dealing assists. The New Hartford, Iowa native leads the Northern Sun and ranks fourth in the nation with 91 assists this season. His 6.1 assists per game is third-best amongst NSIC players, and his 2.28 assist-to-turnover ratio is ninth in the conference as well.
 

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THE SERIES…

vs. BEMIDJI STATE: BSU holds a 12-7 advantage in the series, and had won the last four matchups before last season. Prior to the 2016-17 season, the last Peacock win came in January of 2013. The first meeting between the schools came on Dec. 16, 1949, with the Beavers winning a 97-69 contest in Fayette. UIU held on in Fayette, 80-61, last season.
 
vs. MINNESOTA CROOKSTON: The Peacocks hold a 15-3 lead in the all-time series, and have won 13 of the last 14 meetings, including an 82-79 win in the first round of the 2017 NSIC Tournament. UIU also won last season's regular-season matchup, 79-68, on New Year's Eve in Fayette.
 

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ABOUT THE OPPONENTS…
 
vs. BSU BEAVERS: Before the holiday break, Bemidji State fell in a season sweep to Minnesota Crookston, 65-50, at BSU Gymnasium. BSU held a 34-29 advantage prior to halftime but was outscored, 36-16, in the second half to fall in consecutive games to UMC for the first time in over 90 years. The Beavers shot 35.1 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from beyond the arc, while the Golden Eagles shot 31.1 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from long range. Bemidji State totaled 26 points in the paint compared to 12 for Minnesota Crookston, but UMC turned the ball over just four times and none in the second half.
 
vs. UM CROOKSTON GOLDEN EAGLES: Before Christmas, Minnesota Crookston picked up their first sweep of Bemidji State since four-straight wins against the Beavers in 1926 and 1927 with another victory. The 65-50 win Saturday was also the first for the Golden Eagles in Bemidji since Nov. 11, 1994. The sweep of the NSIC team is the first of a conference team for Minnesota Crookston since the 2004-05 season when they swept MSUM. Gable Smith leads NCAA Division II with 3.75 blocked shots per game. He has 45 blocked shots through 12 games for Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles rank 18th in the nation in three-point field goal percentage at 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. Harrison Cleary leads the NSIC in scoring with 23.7 points per game, while Smith is second in the NSIC in shooting percentage at 65.6 percent.