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UND (8-17, 3-10) vs SUU (10-13, 4-8) 2/15 7 PM


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UND had a tough weekend that ended with a thud in losing to ISU for the first time in BSC play.  They go home for the last time this season to start a 3 game homestand.  First up is the T-Birds from Southern Utah, who have shown some signs of improvement. 

About SUU:  2nd year coach Todd Simon has improved the T-Birds from a year ago.  Last year it was the Randy O show and it resulted in a 6-27 season (however, they did get a win in the BSC tourney against MSU), now with the addition of transfers and other recruits, it is a more balanced team in scoring and has resulted in a 4 game improvement so far for the T-Birds.  They have been much more competitive this year than last year.  However, you are what your record is and it has not necessarily reflected this in conference play.  They still will be a Day 1 team in Reno, but if they can have another good year of getting players they could finally start climbing the Big Sky ladder. 

Key Players: Dwayne Morgan and Jamal Aytes

SUU is transfer heavy and these two have been impact transfers for the T-Birds.  The Transfer from UNLV, Morgan, has been a solid addition for the Spring semester giving them a decent rebounder and a double-digit scorer.  He is a guy that is more than capable of getting 20+ points and 10+ rebounds.  The BYU transfer, Aytes, is a 6'6 forward that is also a solid rebounder and scorer of the basketball.  UND is going to have to know where these guys are at all times on both sides of the ball

Series Matchup: In BSC play, UND is 8-2 against SUU, including a 3-1 record in Grand Forks.  They also hold a 2-0 record in conference tournaments against SUU.

Griz (13-0) @ EWU (7-5) *Game of the night

The Griz have managed to pass every test they have seen so far, now things get interesting this weekend.  First off is a trip to Cheney to take on a tough EWU squad.  EWU is trying to fight off UNC, Idaho State and PSU for the final Bye for Reno and a win against the Griz can go along way in the tiebreakers and in the standings.  Will EWU get that signature win or will the Griz get to 14-0?

Cats (6-7) @ Idaho (9-3) 

Before the season started, this was looked at as a potential matchup to determined the number 1 seed.  Now?  The Cats are trying to avoid playing Day 1 in Reno and turn around their disappointing season before it crashes and burns.  Idaho is in good shape for a first round bye and are only 1 game back of Weber of the 2 seed.  The losses to UNC have been the difference between challenging for a 1 seed verses battling for the 2.  They get their shot at the Griz on Saturday, but they would like to keep the Cat misery going.  Hall vs Sanders will be a great guard matchup. 

Weber (10-2) @ PSU (5-7)

Weber is still within striking distance of the top seed for Reno and comfortable in position to clinch a first round bye (a sweep this weekend combined with a UNC and ISU loss will do the trick), but they need to keep winning and hope the Griz finally slip up this weekend. However, traditionally this has been a tricky road trip for Weber and PSU will make it very difficult for anybody coming in, plus they still have an outside shot at getting a first round bye if they win out and get some help.  

ISU (6-6) @ SAC (3-9)

ISU is one game back from a first round bye and they know how big a road sweep would be for them.  Sac State will be giving them all they can handle as they start to prep for day 1 in Reno. Can the Bengals avoid the trap?

NAU (1-11) @ UNC (7-6)

The last two home games for the Bears and you couldn't ask for anything better with two of the bottom teams in the conference... but you have to take advantage if you want to be in the running for the first round bye.  NAU is looking to spoil the season the rest of the way and if UNC is not careful, this could be a Day 1 matchup in Reno.  

The Call:

The schedule the rest of the way is favorable for UND, however... they need to take advantage of this.  Anything less than two wins this weekend is unacceptable.  SUU is an improved squad and better talent overall than last year and UND will look at what happened last week with a bad taste in their mouths.  I expect the guards to rebound from their poor performance against ISU and Avants to be solid.  

UND 83-77

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