NDSU Bison look to pick up where they left off: as winners
FARGO N.D. (BVM) — The North Dakota State University (NDSU) men’s basketball team had their best season in years cut short last March. With roster changes and the COVID-19 pandemic making the future uncertain, this season is going to be a fight from beginning to end.
NDSU went 25-8 last season, their best record since 2014.
As they secured the number one seed in the Summit League last season, the Bison proved to be a problem for other teams. With star guards Vinnie Shahid and Tyson Ward averaging a combined 33 points, and a complimentary cast around them, everyone knew the team was something special.
In the Summit League Tournament last March, the Bison came out as champions for the fifth time since joining the conference in 2007. The team was on their way to making their second consecutive March Madness appearance.
Unfortunately, after securing their ticket to the NCAA tournament, the COVID-19 pandemic canceled March Madness all together. It was disappointing for everyone – players and fans alike.
For the Bison, this upcoming season is going to look different in more ways than one.
Since the untimely end to last season, NDSU has added two new coaches in Josh Sash and Joshua Jones. Added to the roster are five new players: Dezmond McKinnney, Grant Nelson, Boden Skunberg, Grayson Haman, and Noah Christensen.
Returning players Rocky Kreuser, Sam Griesel, and Tyree Eady have been named captains.
With Shahid and Ward off the roster, the team is going to have to come together to replace the numbers they were putting up last season.
“Our plan [to replace Ward and Shahid’s numbers] is to do that collectively. It’s going to be the Tyree Eadys, the Sam Griesels, the Rocky Kreusers of the world,” head coach David Richman told KVRR News. “I’m also really excited for Jarius Cook to step up.”
Richman also added, “We have five newcomers that are going to come in here and be counted on, some of them earlier than others.”
The biggest change is likely going to be how the pandemic is changing the season for everyone.
The NCAA Division I council recently announced that November 25th would be the start date of the 2020-21 season. This is 15 days after the season would resume regularly for the Bison, but that isn’t the only change.
There will be no preseason exhibition games or scrimmages allowed before the new start date. The number of games played will be cut too, with team’s allowed to play just 24 games.
When asked about looking ahead, head coach, David Richman had this to say,
“We don’t really look too far ahead,” he said, “it’s about today.”
As of now, NDSU plans to play the max number of games and they intend to start their season on November 25th.
