The North Dakota State men’s basketball team returns to the Scheels Center this week to host Illinois State and CSU Bakersfield, kicking off the home schedule after a demanding four-game road stretch in California, gobison.com reported.
The Bison open against Illinois State at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 13, followed by a matchup against CSU Bakersfield at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, Nov. 15. Local fans can watch the games on WDAY Xtra or stream them on the Summit League Network, while Andy Rieckhoff and Dexter Werner handle radio duties on 107.9 The Fox and Bison 1660.
Friday’s contest marks the third all-time meeting between the Bison and Redbirds. Illinois State claimed victories in both prior matchups, winning on Dec. 17, 2023, in Normal, and on Nov. 7, 2024, in Fargo, according to gobison.com records.
Sunday brings the fifth all-time meeting against CSU Bakersfield. The programs have split their four meetings over the past three seasons, with NDSU taking an 80-69 win last year in Bakersfield before the Roadrunners secured a 91-80 victory this past Sunday.
North Dakota State opened the regular season playing four games in seven days. Following a 90-59 win over Minnesota Crookston on Monday, the team traveled to California to face Saint Mary’s on Nov. 4, San Francisco on Nov. 6, and CSU Bakersfield on Nov. 8.
The Summit League preseason poll tabbed NDSU to finish first this season, and point guard Andy Stefonowicz earned a spot on the preseason All-Summit League first team. Stefonowicz earned honorable mention status last season after averaging 9.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game while leading the league in assists.
Head coach David Richman enters the week with 239 career victories, putting him just five wins shy of Erv Inniger’s school record of 244 set between 1978 and 1992. Richman earned Summit League Coach of the Year honors last season after guiding the Bison to a program-record 27 wins.
