UMD Men’s Basketball Aiming for First-Ever NCAA Tournament Win

Tip-off Saturday between the Bulldogs and Washburn is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.

DULUTH, Minn. – For the UMD men’s basketball team, this season has been all about proving people wrong. But now that they’re in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003, doubters are turning into believers.

On paper, the roster is very young with just one true senior. But the sophomores and juniors have played major minutes in their careers so far, which dispels the notion that this is an inexperienced squad.

“They’re really mature and I can tell that everybody’s really locked into what we have going on so it’s kind of thrilling. Being the older guy on the team, I don’t want to be the one that’s around here, like jumping going crazy, but you know, I kind of want to, kind of don’t want to, but everybody is locked in and I love it,” forward Jacob Shields said.

The Bulldogs will open up regionals against 7th-seeded Washburn. The Ichabods got off to a slow start due to injuries to two of their best fifth-year seniors. But now, they are rolling into their fourth NCAA appearance in the past five seasons.

“I think they’re 16-4 since Christmas when all these guys are back. One of the best point guards in the country, First Team All-American type of guy. We’ve got our hands full. They’re a legit two- or three-seeded team if they’re healthy all year long. But so are we so we’re excited for the challenge,” said head coach Justin Wieck.

Tip-off Saturday is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. A win would give UMD its first NCAA tournament victory in program history.