Trojans Aiming to Take Care of Business for Second Half of NSAA Schedule: Game Preview – Dakota State vs Viterbo
The Trojan Men’s Basketball team (15-7 overall, 5-1 NSAA) is on the road in Wisconsin to begin the second half of conference play against Viterbo.
Viterbo
The V-Hawks (8-13 overall, 2-4 NSAA) are trying to find their rhythm after a shaky start to conference play. They’ve found something in their last two outings, coming away with wins in both games at home against Valley City State and Dickinson State. Sneaking by both teams by a combined three points.
At home in Wisconsin is where this group has gotten more than half its wins this season. History even seems to be on their side in this upcoming matchup. DSU has not defeated Viterbo on the road since Jan. 28, 2022. And the Trojans have been a toss up on the road, sitting at 5-5 in away games.
The V-Hawks scoring leader is Jack Monis with 17 points per game on the year to lead Viterbo. He is one of four players averaging double figures on this team. The others being Ben Olson (12.6), Cole Crubel (10.9) off the bench and Nick Malovrh (10.3). Typically the bulk of the scoring comes from the starting unit, but Crubel is a shooter who can get hot at any moment if given the looks.
Dakota State
Dakota State is playing really good basketball after having their best start in conference since 2014-15. It’s also the first time since the 2015-16 season the Trojans won five straight North Star Athletic Association games. Along with securing its first winning season since 2015-16.
If you told head coach Darren Tighe all those things, some of which he has seen/heard about, he would say there’s still work to be done. He is right and his team knows it. They’re hungry and know they can improve upon a lot of things. One thing that begins tonight on the road to improvement is finishing games on the road. Which they have done, but the opposing territories will be a tad more difficult than the first half of the conference was.
Leading in scoring for the Trojans is Mison Coilton with 13.9 points per game. Along with a pair of others in double digits – Brayden Pankonen and Emmanuel Akpan both with 10 a game. The Trojan offense is the second highest scoring offense in the NSAA at 77.5 points per game. The only categories they sit first in for conference so far is their 3-pt percentage (40.3) and their perimeter defense. With opponents shooting just 29.8% from deep.
Tipoff is set for 7:30pm following the women’s game with the pregame beginning at approximately 7:15pm on Jammin Country 103.
