ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia-St. Paul men's basketball team opens up the 2023-24 season this weekend at the MIAA/NSIC Conference Challenge on the campus of Newman University. The Golden Bears will face Newman on Saturday and Rogers State on Sunday.

BUY TICKETS TO HOME GAMES ONLINE
Fans are encouraged to buy tickets in advance and bring your QR code to the gates to skip the line! Friends and families who utilize the pass list will also be utilizing the online ticketing service while all students, faculty & staff will access their free CSP tickets through the service. Fans do not need to create a login, remember a username or password or download an app to purchase tickets, and tickets can still be purchased with cash at the gates. Find out more in the partnership announcement between CSP Athletics and HomeTown Ticketing.
 
WATCH ONLINE – NSIC NETWORK
All Golden Bear NSIC men's and women's basketball games will be available to watch online, free of charge, powered by the NSIC Network, supported by BlueFrame Technology. Visit nsicnetwork.com/cspbears on a laptop or desktop computer, download the NSIC Network app on your mobile device or watch on your supported OTT provider such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Search "NSIC Network" and download the app for the league's full sport and team lineups. NSIC NETWORK FAQ
 
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MIAA/NSIC CONFERENCE CHALLENGE
For the third season in a row, the Golden Bears will open the season with Newman and Rogers State after hosting the two schools in 2021-22 and traveling to RSU in 2022-23.

This year's edition will take place on the campus of Newman University, with the Golden Bears facing the Jets on Saturday night at 8 p.m. before taking on the Hillcats at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

CSP split the first two meetings with Newman as they grabbed a 73-70 win at home two years ago before falling 97-85 last season.

In last year's meeting, Concordia's bench provided a spark as they held a 33-20 edge in bench scoring over the Newman reserves. Six different CSP players scored off the bench, led by nine points on three three-pointers from both Ian Sluice and John Grigsby. Marcus Skeete and Antwan Kimmons combined for 41 of the 52 points for the starting unit as Skeete needed just nine shots to score 24 points while Kimmons had 17. Skeete hit 6-9 from the floor and 11-15 from the free throw line while pulling down eight rebounds and Kimmons connected on 3-8 shooting and 10-11 from the charity stripe while dishing out four assists and three boards.

"(Newman head coach and CSP grad RJ Allen)'s teams always play extremely hard and are very athletic. They can get out and go and beat you in different ways. We're going to have to be really disciplined and play well to have a chance to win on their court in their home opener."

Against Rogers State, the Golden Bears have dropped both contests by a combined seven points.

In a 77-73 loss at RSU last year, Antwan Kimmons led the Golden Bears in scoring, putting up 30 points, shooting 9-16 from the field, and 11-17 from the foul line. The Northern Iowa transfer also grabbed five rebounds, two assists, and a steal to go along with the scoring output. Marcus Skeete followed up his 24 point performance the previous night with 14 against RSU. Skeete went 4-8 on 3-point attempts and matched Kimmons with five rebounds and two assists. 

On Rogers State, Fletcher said, "Coach Barkley always does a great job. They are in the MIAA Tournament every year and they are very consistent. They are big and athletic, and we'll have our hands full."

PRESEASON UPDATE
Since the start of practice, the Golden Bears have taken the opportunity to prepare for the regular season. In addition to a high level of competition at practice, CSP has faced three strong opponents with scrimmages against St. Thomas, Macalester and MSU Moorhead.

Speaking of the progress of the team, Fletcher said, "I like where we are at. The new guys are sliding themselves into the spots we assumed they would be and the team is starting to gel together."

He added, "Our returners have really grown in their reliability every day and their understanding in what this level is all about. Their experience has helped our freshmen learn faster as there is visual evidence there for them to see their teammates doing things the right way."

NON-CONFERENCE SLATE
Following the opening weekend trip south, Concordia will face four more Division II opponents as they are scheduled to travel to Minnesota Crookston on Nov. 14 before hosting Northern Michigan on Nov. 18 and wrapping up non-conference action in the CSP Thanksgiving Tournament against Truman State on Nov. 25 and Upper Iowa on Nov. 26.

"My method for scheduling is you never know when you will have an NCAA Tournament team. It is vital to face quality opponents to build your resume, and any year we want to try to be in the NCAA Tournament, we need to have a resume to support that. On top of that, heading into that week one NSIC matchup against Winona State, we need to be ready to play conference basketball and the best way we can do that is to play as many DII-level opponents as we possibly can," said Fletcher of the team's scheduling.

NSIC AT A GLANCE
The Golden Bears open up NSIC play with a mid-week showdown at Winona State on Nov. 21 before returning to league action for their conference home opening weekend against Augustana and Wayne State on Dec. 1-2.

The Northern Sun looks to be as competitive as ever this season with strong teams from top to bottom. The Golden Bears tallied 73 points in the poll, putting them just one point behind Wayne State in 11th, seven points behind Winona State in 10th and 11 points behind Minot State in ninth in a tight middle section of the poll.

Speaking about the level of competition in the NSIC, Fletcher said, "This league is just so consistent. I'm expecting it to be as good as ever and it will be interesting to see how teams across the league perform this weekend."

Minnesota Duluth was selected by the league coaches as the preseason favorite in the NSIC for the 2023-24 season. The Bulldogs received 195 points, garnering 13 first places votes to sit 18 points ahead of second place Minnesota State. The Mavericks had 177 points and the other two first-place votes. The defending regular season champions of Northern State were third with 160 points.

Fletcher added about his approach to the season, "Our approach is to win every night. We are going to worry about one day at a time, one practice at a time. With that, if we do what we are capable of, we feel we have the pieces, the talent and the ability to make a run at this thing. We feel really good about who we have and what we are all about."

MEET THE GOLDEN BEARS
The 2023-24 roster features a talented mix of returners and newcomers as expectations are set to rise this season. The squad is composed of two seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, two redshirt freshmen and five true freshmen, creating a balanced mix of youth and experience.

THE SENIORS
Antwan Kimmons returns after a memorable debut campaign with the Golden Bears last season. The 2022-23 NSIC Newcomer of the Year finished third in the NSIC with 21.1 points per game to go along with 6.0 rebounds per game and 3.9 assists per game on the year.

"Antwan has taken on a massive leadership role this season. He has the biggest smile in the league and is an amazingly fun person to be around. I'm excited to see him take his game to a new level this year," said Fletcher of the All-NSIC First Team pick.

Joining the backcourt as the team's second senior is transfer Jordan Horn. After opening his collegiate career at NCAA Division I Siena, Horn blossomed into an All-Lone Star Conference player at UT-Permian Basin. The Tartan High School grad, who was a teammate of Kimmons in high school, averaged 16.2 points in 29 appearances for the Falcons in 2021-22.

Fletcher said of the transfer, "I've been pleased with Jordan's leadership and demeanor this fall. He just wants to help the team win and he's about as steady as you'll find. He can score in a variety of ways so it's been fun to watch him take off with this group."

THE JUNIORS
Concordia's most tenured player, junior Marcus Skeete, is back for a fourth year in navy and gold. The forward continued to be a key contributor last season as he averaged 12.8 points and 5.6 rebounds for the second year in a row while upping his field goal (48.8%), three-point (43.2%) and free throw (81.3%) percentages in what was an efficient season.

"From his freshman year until now, it's night and day. He's a great kid who plays as hard as anybody I've ever coached, and we're excited to watch him take a big step this year," said Fletcher of the Aurora, Illinois native.

Junior forward Japannah Kellogg gives the Golden Bears another player with Division I experience as the Albany transfer joins the squad. After three straight years with 20+ appearances at the DI level between UW-Green Bay and Albany, the Ames, Iowa native returns to the Midwest and will look to step into an important role for CSP.

Fletcher said, "Japannah is super athletic and can run the court well. He's another person who just fit right in and the guys enjoy having him around. He's hungry for a big role and it will be fun to see him play."

Junior forward John Grigsby will once again be counted on to provide a spark down low for Concordia. In his first season at CSP last year, the Louisville, Colorado native reached double figures in scoring five times as he averaged 5.4 points per game. His best showing came in a massive 27-point effort on 6-10 from beyond the arc at Wayne State on Feb. 11.

"If John shoots a three, everyone in the gym thinks it's going in. I just love his attitude and what he brings to the court every day," said Fletcher of the sharpshooting big man.

Junior guard Ian Sluice gives the Golden Bears another veteran threat from beyond the arc as the Tulsa, Oklahoma native is back for year three. The NSIC All-Academic pick collected 4.9 points per game as he knocked down 36 threes while appearing in all 28 games.

Fletcher said of Sluice, "Whatever we ask Ian to do, he's going to do. We can count on him to do whatever we're asking and that has allowed his talent to shine through."

THE SOPHOMORES
Sophomore guard DJ Akpati is back as a tough perimeter defender for the Golden Bears. After redshirting in his first season, the Totino-Grace High School grad appeared in seven games last year. He made his debut against Newman in the season opener before scoring his first career bucket at Upper Iowa.

"DJ is about as good a defender as you'll see, especially on the ball. He's our energy guy who communicates super well and brings it every day," said Fletcher of Akpati.

Sophomore guard Reid Patterson returns after missing the entire 2022-23 season due to injury. The year prior, Patterson was a mainstay in the lineup as he made 23 appearances, including 11 starts, while averaging 5.0 points per contest.

Fletcher said of the Lakeville South grad, "Reid shoots the crap out of it and will run through a brick wall for his team. We're excited to see him get out there and get some game action after missing last year."

Sophomore guard Sean Mathieu will look to build off a strong redshirt freshman campaign that saw him put up 4.8 points, 1.8 boards and 1.3 assists per game in 25 contests, including 10 starts.

"Sean is a special talent. He's continuing to grow up and he's an awesome kid. He'll be a part of a special group in the backcourt," said Fletcher of the New Orleans, Louisiana native.

Sophomore transfer Brayden Dailey is another high upside option for the Golden Bears as he enters his first season on campus after making five appearances for UW-Green Bay last year.

"We haven't gotten to see a whole lot of Brayden yet, but his skillset is through the roof. We're excited to see him get healthy and see what kind of spark he can give us."

One sophomore the Golden Bears will miss this season is Cal Greene. He Mahtomedi native will miss the season due to injury after being a solid contributor in 16 appearances in his first year on campus last year.

Fletcher said of Greene, "We were really high on the way he was practicing and we have a ton of confidence in him rehabbing and coming back healthy next year."

THE REDSHIRT FRESHMEN
CSP has a pair of redshirt freshman poised to make their Golden Bear debuts in Will Boser and James Jacobs. Boser was the Northwest Player of the Year at Eau Claire Memorial High School while Jacobs was a two-time All-Conference pick at Stevens Point Area High School.

Speaking of Boser, Fletcher said, "Will is a great shooter and he plays as hard as he can. We're super excited about his potential as a guy who is 6' 6" and can come in and shoot the rock."

On Jacobs, he added, "Jimmy is a glue guy for us. He brings it every day and he's a guy you absolutely love to have on your team. He makes our team better."

THE FRESHMEN
Concordia's five-man freshman class has the look of a special group with a talented and diverse skillset. The group consists of Chet Kloss of Eastview High School, Ben Kopetzki of Andover High School, Owen Carlson of Mahtomedi High School, Hudson Vaith of Lakeville North High School and Isaiah Deitz of Chequamegon High School.

Speaking of the class, Fletcher said, "We hit a home run on our freshman class."

On Carlson and Vaith, Fletcher said, "Owen and Hudson are extremely dynamic and athletic wings. Both rebound, both shoot and both are long." He added of Deitz, "Isaiah is a freak athlete who plays at 150% miles an hour and he brings it every day."

The trio is expected to redshirt this season.

"Chet is going to be our backup five along with John Grigsby. Screen, rebound, play hard, take charges. That's what Chet is all about. He thrives in the dirty work," Fletcher said of Kloss.

On Kopetzki, Fletcher said, "Ben is as talented a freshman guard as I've seen in this league. He can pass, he can shoot, he's explosive and he finishes with both hands. As long as he continues to grow defensively and learns the defensive schemes, he can be a special player for us."

Check back throughout the season to cspbears.com for game previews and recaps as well as statistics and schedule information.