THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK MEN'S BASKETBALL
Men's basketball is back on the road again this weekend as they travel north to challenge Minnesota Crookston on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. and St. Cloud State on Monday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans unable to make it to the road games this weekend can stay connected with a pair of live options at
UIUPeacocks.com/Live, with access to live stats and a webcast through the NSIC Sports Network. Fans can also refer to the links attached to this story for all live options.
Viewers can catch the Peacocks on the NSIC Network iOS and Android mobile app, as well as the NSIC Network app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.
LAST WEEKEND IN REVIEW
Men's basketball competed in the Midwest Region Crossover in Springfield, Ill. last weekend and went 2-0. They trumped UW Parkside on Saturday in an 82-63 decision. The Peacocks trailed 32-31 at halftime but outscored the Rangers 51-31 in the second frame behind a 57% clip from the field and 50 % from long range (6-12).
The team breezed to a 105-78 win on Sunday against Roosevelt. UIU shot 52.6% for the game, going 41-78 from the field and 9-28 (32%) from long distance.
SEEING DOUBLE
Nick Reid notched two double-doubles last weekend and averages 19 points per game and 13.5 rebounds. He recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds against Parkside, followed by a 26-point and 16-rebound performance against Roosevelt the next day. Reid is ranked second in Division II in defensive rebounds per game, and the team is listed 10
th.
Kyle Hrncir aided in the display with a double-double against the Rangers behind 17 points on 7-11 shooting and 11 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass. Hrncir is 13
th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game.
HANDLING IT
After his debut weekend in a Peacock uniform, freshman guard
Gavin Hershberger has dished out 12 assists and only recorded one turnover, marking his 12.00 ratio good for third in the nation. Conference member Tyler Chapman of Lincoln leads Division II with 20 assists and only one turnover. Miles Daniels (Chico St.) is ranked second with 13 assists and one turnover.
RECEIVING VOTES
Upper Iowa is receiving votes in the NABC Top 25 Preseason Poll. The Peacocks finished last season with a 22-10 record (15-5 GLVC) and returned to the NCAA DII Central Regional Championships after receiving an at-large bid. They defeated nationally-ranked Kentucky Wesleyan 82-72 in game one before dropping to Lake Superior State 88-80 in the Round of 32.
THE DRIVING FORCE
Head Coach
Brooks McKowen is at the helm of the men's basketball program for his 12
th season and holds an overall mark of 188-139 (120-90 NSIC, 15-5 GLVC). He is aided on the sidelines by first-year assistant coach
Joel Hanson and graduate assistant
Danny Tabaska. Hanson was a graduate assistant for Peacock men's hoops in 2021-23 before his return. Tabaska enters his second season as the graduate assistant after playing a key role in the program's success last season.
NEXT PLAY
UIU will have its first action in Fayette next weekend as they host the Peacock Classic, featuring Northwest Missouri State, Concordia, St. Paul, and Southwest Minnesota State. They will face CSP on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. and SMSU on Sunday at 3 p.m.
