North Dakota State Bison
Summit League (18-15, 9-7)
North Dakota State is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. That was Coach David Richman’s first season with the Bison. Unlike the 2014-2015 team, this squad did not dominate the Summit League in 2018-2019. The Bison finished just 9-7 in conference play, but managed to get hot during the conference tournament and beat Oral Roberts, Western Illinois and Omaha.
Big Wins: 11/11 UCSB (82-63), 12/15 Missouri State (74-67), 3/12 vs Omaha (73-63)
Bad Losses: 11/17 vs Incarnate Word (78-80), 1/16 at Denver (65-80), 2/28 at South Dakota (65-75)
Coach: David Richman
Why They Can Surprise:
North Dakota State has a very balanced team. Eight players average at least six points per game. This is a team that shares the ball well and generally shoots the ball quite well. Jared Samuelson averages just 7.2 points per game, but he is a great shooter who connected on 46.4 percent of his 138 attempts from beyond the arc. Cameron Hunter and Tyree Eady take a large chunk of their shots from long range too and those two can provide a nice scoring punch off the bench. Vinnie Shahid and Tyson Ward are the more dynamic scoring threats on the perimeter, averaging 12.8 and 12.3 points per game, respectively.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The frontcourt duo of Deng Geu and Rocky Kreuser provide the Bison with some size and both are good scorers who can stretch the defense. However, the defensive struggles can start in the paint. Neither are particularly threatening shot blockers and that is part of the reason why the Bison allow the opposition to shoot 46.1 percent from the floor. Any team with a few good slashers who shoot 50 percent from the floor against NDSU is going to send the Bison home.
Probable Starters:
Vinnie Shahid, Junior, Guard, 12.8 ppg, 2.7 apg
Jared Samuelson, Junior, Guard, 7.2 ppg, 1.2 apg
Tyson Ward, Junior, Guard, 12.3 ppg, 2.3 apg, 6.3 rpg
Sam Griesel, Freshman, Guard, 6.0 ppg, 1.6 apg
Rocky Kreuser, Sophomore, Forward, 9.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Key Role Players:
Deng Geu, Junior, Forward, 9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg
Tyree Eady, Freshman, Guard, 6.6 ppg
Cameron Hunter, Sophomore, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 1.1 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.1 (156th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 72.5 (209, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.4 (123, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 46.1 (301, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 9.4 (40, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.9 (105, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.4 (9, 2)
Rebound Margin: -1.3 (238, 5)
Assists Per Game: 11.7 (293, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.0 (30, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Oklahoma |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to San Diego State |
| 2013 | CBI | First Round loss to Western Michigan |
| 2012 | CBI | First Round loss to Wyoming |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Kansas |
*all team stats through 3/10
