UMC Men's Basketball Releases 2016-17 Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team officially unveiled their 2016-17 schedule Tuesday afternoon. The Golden Eagles will play 28 regular-season games and two exhibitions, including six non-conference games and 22 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) contests. In addition, UMC fans will get the opportunity to see plenty of action at Lysaker Gymnasium this season with 15 home games, including four non-conference home games and 11 conference games at “The Hersch”.

Minnesota Crookston returns an experienced but youthful core to the fray for 2016-17 as they look to continue to build the program and move up the conference standings. The Golden Eagles return 11 letter winners from last season, while also returning Connor Gamble (R-Fr., G, Stillwater, Minn.), who redshirted his initial season in the Maroon and Gold. UMC also welcomes five newcomers to their roster, as they will also look to battle for playing time. The 2016-17 season will be the third for Head Coach Dan Weisse. The Golden Eagles will look to gain more experience this season with more games and games against tough regional opponents.

The Golden Eagles will open up their 2016-17 slate with an exhibition on the road against College of St. Scholastica at 7:30 p.m. in Duluth, Minn.

Minnesota Crookston will tip off the regular-season with a pair of games in the MIAA/NSIC challenge at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. The Golden Eagles will take on Southwest Baptist Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. The Bearcats went 10-18 last season. UMC will then face Lincoln University of Missouri Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. The Blue Tigers finished last season with a 16-14 mark.

UMC’s home opener will take place Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. as the Golden Eagles face University of Wisconsin-Stout. The Blue Devils went 4-20 last season.

UMC will remain at home to take on Waldorf College Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. The Warriors went 16-14 last season. The Golden Eagles will then take on University of Jamestown Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at home. The Jimmies had a 17-12 mark last season.

The Golden Eagles will then hit the road for their second exhibition of the season as they take on NCAA Division I foe South Dakota State University Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. 

The Jackrabbits are in their first season under T.J. Otzelberger. They went 26-8, won the Summit League Tournament and went on to the NCAA Tournament last season.

Minnesota Crookston will open up conference play Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. as they play St. Cloud State University on the road. The Huskies went 13-16 last season. UMC will then take on University of Minnesota Duluth Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. on the road. The Bulldogs put up a 15-14 record last season.

The Golden Eagles will have their conference home opener Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. against Minnesota State University Moorhead. The defending NSIC North Champion went 30-6 last season. UMC will then take on Northern State University Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Wolves put up an 18-12 mark last season.

UMC will culminate their home stand with a pair of games against opponents from Bemidji, Minn. The Golden Eagles will take on Bemidji State University at “The Hersch” on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. The Beavers went 10-17 last season. The Golden Eagles will then take on Oak Hills Christian College Dec. 17 at 1 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will change things up heading into the New Year as they play a pair of conference road games Dec. 30 and 31. UMC will take on Winona State University Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. on the road. The Warriors finished with a 16-13 record last season. The Golden Eagles will then play their final game of 2016 Dec. 31 against Upper Iowa University at 6 p.m. in Fayette, Iowa. The Peacocks put up a 16-17 mark last season.

The Golden Eagles will open up 2017 Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. against Minnesota Duluth at home. They will then take on St. Cloud State at 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at home.

Minnesota Crookston will hit the road for a single game Jan. 10 against Bemidji State at 8 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will return home Jan. 13 to host Southwest Minnesota State University at 8 p.m. The Mustangs put up a 13-15 mark last season. UMC will then take on University of Sioux Falls Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. The Cougars went 17-13 during the 2015-16 slate.

UMC will then hit the road Jan. 20 to take on University of Mary at 8 p.m. The Marauders went 19-12 last season. They will then battle Minot State University Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. The Beavers had a 15-14 record during 2015-16.

The Golden Eagles will then head back to Lysaker Gymnasium to take on Minnesota State University Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. The Mavericks put up a 22-10 record last season. They will take on Concordia University-St. Paul Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at 6 p.m. The Golden Bears had a 13-16 mark last season. Saturday’s game will also serve as “Alumni Night” for the Golden Eagles as they welcome back all past UMC basketball players to return to their alma mater.

UMC will hit the road Feb. 3 to take on defending NCAA Division II National Champion Augustana University at 8 p.m. They will then take on Wayne State College Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. The Wildcats are under new leadership with Jeff Kaminsky taking over the ship.

The Golden Eagles will remain on the road to face Northern State Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. and MSU Moorhead Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.

They will wrap up the season at home as they face Minot State Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. and U-Mary Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.

The NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament will open up Feb. 22 on home sites, while the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will take place Feb. 25-28 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.