Preview: Dakota St at North Dakota
The stage is set for a thrilling matchup between two teams looking to build momentum in their non-conference schedules. The Dakota State Golden Eagles, fresh off a pair of tough losses, will face off against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, who have been riding a modest winning streak.
For North Dakota (5-10), this game against Dakota State (2-12) represents an opportunity to extend its recent success and bolster its non-conference resume. The Fighting Hawks have shown flashes of brilliance on both ends of the court, with standout performances from Greyson Uelmen, who leads the team in scoring at 13.2 points per game, and Anthony Smith III, a dynamic point guard who averages 2.9 assists per contest.
However, Dakota State will look to disrupt North Dakota's momentum. The Golden Eagles have struggled on both ends of the court, averaging a paltry 61.5 points per game while surrendering an average of 77.3 points allowed. Despite their struggles, Dakota State boasts a stingy defense that has limited opponents to just 40.9% shooting efficiency.
The key matchup in this contest will be North Dakota's three-point shooting efficiency against Dakota State's stifling defense. The Fighting Hawks have been inconsistent from beyond the arc, converting just 32.7% of their attempts, while the Golden Eagles have struggled to contain opposing teams' outside shooters, allowing opponents to knock down a respectable 42.1% of their field goal attempts.
As the two teams face off on December 28th at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, fans can expect a high-intensity contest that will be decided by the team that can best harness its strengths and exploit its opponent's weaknesses. With both squads looking to build momentum in their non-conference schedules, this matchup has all the makings of a thrilling showdown.
Will North Dakota's recent success continue as it looks to extend its winning streak against a struggling Dakota State? Or will the Golden Eagles' defense prove to be too much for the Fighting Hawks to handle? One thing is certain: this game promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.