Northwest Missouri State Men's Basketball Game Notes (PDF)

Thursday, Jan. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Hays, Kansas
No. 3 Northwest Missouri State at Fort Hays State
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Saturday, Jan. 16 | 4 p.m. | Kearney, Nebraska
No. 3 Northwest Missouri State at Nebraska-Kearney
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NORTHWEST TO TRAVEL TO FORT HAYS STATE, NEBRASKA-KEARNEY THIS WEEK
The No. 3-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team (6-1 overall) will travel to a pair of MIAA venues this week.
    The Bearcats will head to Hays, Kansas, for a Thursday matchup against the Fort Hays State University Tigers. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. following the women's game that begins at 5:30 p.m.
    Northwest will make the journey to Kearney, Nebraska, Saturday for a 4 p.m. tip against the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. The Bearcat women will take on the Lopers at 2 p.m. prior to the men's contest.

ABOUT THE TIGERS
Fort Hays State has had an up and down season so far as it started the season with three straight losses, followed with three consecutive wins and now has lost three more in a row heading into Thursday.
    The Tigers did pull off an exhibition victory over NCAA Division I opponent Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas, on Dec. 8, 81-68.
    Fort Hays State's three MIAA wins have come against Newman (W, 81-75 OT), Northeastern State (W, 81-76) and vs. Rogers State (W, 78-71).
    Jared Vitztum leads the Tigers in scoring at 19.0 points per game. He has scored at least 14 points in every game, with a season high of 29 points at Nebraska-Kearney on Dec. 5.

ALL-TIME VS. FORT HAYS STATE
Northwest holds a 16-10 advantage in the all-time series vs. Fort Hays State. Northwest has won nine straight matchups.
    The Bearcats have won three consecutive contests against the Tigers in Hays, Kansas.
ABOUT THE LOPERS
Nebraska-Kearney is off to a 3-6 start in league play. The Lopers have MIAA victories over Fort Hays State (W, 84-80), Northeastern State (W, 72-66) and Central Missouri (W, 72-69).
    The Lopers are led in scoring by Austin Luger (17.1 ppg) and Jake Walker (15.4 ppg). Luger scored a season-high 26 points in a 67-60 loss at Lincoln. Walker notched a season-best 25 points in a win over Northeastern State.

ALL-TIME VS. NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
Northwest holds an 8-1 lead in the all-time series vs. Nebraska-Kearney. The Lopers lone win in the series came Jan. 18, 2018 in Kearney, 66-59.

CATCH THE ACTION
This week's game will be streamed on The MIAA Network and broadcast live on the Bearcat Radio Network.

ROAD DOMINANCE
Northwest has won 10 consecutive road games, which ranks as the second-longest active streak among NCAA Division II schools. Valdosta State currently holds the mark with 11 straight road wins.
    Northwest's road streak of 10 straight wins is the longest active streak in the MIAA. Currently, no other MIAA teams have won more than one road game in a row.
    Northwest has gone 41-4 over the last four-plus seasons on the road in the MIAA.
    The Bearcats have won at least eight road games in each of the previous four seasons.

Active Div. II Road Win Streaks
Valdosta State – 11
Northwest Mo. St. – 10
West Texas A&M – 10
Colorado School of Mines – 9
Florida Southern – 9
Jefferson – 9
Azusa Pacific – 9
Northern State – 8
Point Loma – 8

Active NCAA Road Win Streaks
Swarthmore (III) – 16
St. John's, Minn. (III) – 15
UC San Diego (I) – 14
Yeshiva (III) – 14
San Diego State (I) – 13
Kansas (I) – 12
Valdosta State (II) – 11
Northwest Mo. St. (II) – 10
West Texas A&M (II) – 10
Averett (III) – 10

BEARCATS AMONG NATION'S LEADERS
Northwest ranks No. 5 in the nation in field goal percentage (52.6%). The Bearcats have shot better than 50% in five of their seven games this season.
    Northwest ranks No. 8 in the county in three-pointers made per game (12.0). The Bearcats have reached double figures in three-pointers in five consecutive games.
    Northwest ranks No. 9 in the nation in total three-pointers made (84).
    The Bearcats rank No. 10 in the country in three-point field goal percentage (44.4%)

'CATS, MCCOLLUM ROLLING IN BIG VICTORIES
Under head coach Ben McCollum the Bearcats are 108-2 in games decided by 20 points or more.
    Northwest has won 106 consecutive games when the final scoring margin is 20 or more points. The last time the Bearcats lost a game by 20 points or more came Jan. 20, 2010, when Missouri Southern posted an 88-63 win in Joplin, Missouri.

90-PLUS = SUCCESS
Northwest has posted a mark of 48-0 when scoring 90 or more points with head coach Ben McCollum.
    Northwest scored 92 points in Saturday's triumph over Emporia State. It was Northwest's highest scoring output this season.

BEARCATS LOOK TO LOCK IN  DEFENSIVELY
Northwest has allowed four of its seven opponents to shoot better than 50% from the field.
    Washburn hit on 57.1% (32-of-56) of its shots in an 84-82 overtime win over  Northwest.
    Pittsburg State made 51.% (26-of-51) of its shots on Jan. 2.
    Central Missouri drained 50.0% (23-of-46) of its field goals on Dec. 3.
    Rogers State sank 53.6% (30-of-56) of its field goal attempts on Nov. 21.

WINNING NUMBERS
Northwest has posted a spectacular mark of 75-2 over the past three seasons.

LIMITED LOSSES IN FIVE YEARS
Northwest has suffered only seven losses in the last five seasons. The Bearcats have compiled a record of 137-7 over the last five years.

35-1 - 2016-17
27-4 - 2017-18
38-0 - 2018-19
31-1 - 2019-20
6-1 - 2020-21

LAST 113 MIAA GAMES
Beginning Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest is 105-9 in its last 114 MIAA games. Seven of those nine losses have come on the road.
    In that stretch, Northwest is 56-2 in Bearcat Arena in MIAA matchups.

PRETTY GOOD AGAINST MIAA FOES
Since Feb. 22, 2018, Northwest has won 55 of its last 57 games against MIAA opponents (regular season/postseason).

20 & 30-POINT GAMES
Junior Trevor Hudgins secured his 41st career 20-point scoring game with 26 points in a 92-71 win over Emporia State. Hudgins went 8-of-10 from three-point range against the Hornets.
    Sophomore Wes Dreamer notched his third career 20-point scoring game with 24 points against No. 5-ranked Washburn. Dreamer drained six 3-pointers and was 8-of-14 from the field against the Ichabods.

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Trevor Hudgins - 41
Ryan Hawkins - 29
Diego Bernard - 8
Wes Dreamer - 3

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Ryan Hawkins - 7
Trevor Hudgins - 5

GOING FOR DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Junior Diego Bernard registered his sixth career double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds against No. 5 Washburn.

Career Double-Doubles
Ryan Hawkins - 21
Trevor Hudgins - 8
Diego Bernard - 6
Wes Dreamer - 1

BERNARD BRINGS IT
Over the past three games, junior Diego Bernard is shooting 60% from the field (18-of-30) and a phenomenal 75% from three-point range (9-of-12). Bernard is averaging 17.3 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals in the last three contests.
    Bernard knocked in 5-of-6 three-pointers and was 6-of-8 from the field with 19 points in a 92-71 win over Emporia State. Bernard's five three-pointers helped him set a new career-high from deep.

HUDGINS, HAWKINS RANK AT TOP OF MIAA SCORING LIST
Junior Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 2 in the MIAA in scoring (20.0 ppg), while senior Ryan Hawkins sits at No. 3 in the league in scoring (19.3 ppg).

TREVOR'S NAME IS LITTERED AT THE TOP OF THE MIAA STAT SHEET
Junior point guard Trevor Hudgins finds his name at or near the top of six different MIAA statistical categories.

1st - Assist-to-Turnover Ratio (3.8)
1st - 3-Point FG% (56.1)
2nd - Scoring (20.0)
2nd - Assists (5.4)
2nd - Free Throw % (87.5)
4th - Field Goal % (52.6)

HUDGINS OWNS NATION'S BEST
ASSIST-TO-TURNOVER RATIO
Junior Trevor Hudgins is the nation's leader (all NCAA divisions) in assist-to-turnover ratio. Hudgins possesses a 3.43 assist-to-turnover ratio in his collegiate career.
    Hudgins has 432 career assists to go against 126 career turnovers.

HUDGINS HITS FROM DEEP
Junior Trevor Hudgins buried a career-high eight three-pointers in Northwest's 92-71 victory over Emporia State. Hudgins went 8-of-10 from distance and scored 26 points.
    The eight three-pointers made by Hudgins ties for the highest single-game mark this season in NCAA Division II basketball.

HUDGINS KEEPS 3-POINT STREAK ALIVE
Junior Trevor Hudgins has made at least one three-pointer in 31 consecutive games. The last time Hudgins failed to make at least one three-pointer came against Lincoln on Dec. 5, 2019.

HAWKINS ONE OF NINE PLAYERS IN COUNTRY WITH 1,500 POINTS & 600 REBOUNDS
Senior Ryan Hawkins is one of nine active players in the country (all NCAA Divisions) with at least 1,500 points and 600 rebounds. Hawkins Missouri Southern's Cam Martin and West Liberty's Dalton Bolon are the only non-Division I members on the list.

1,500 Points & 600 Rebounds
Terry Taylor (Austin Peay) - 2,156 pts./1,072 rbs.
Luka Garza (Iowa) - 1,918 pts./772 rbs.
Dalton Bolon (West Liberty) - 1,795 pts./662 rbs.
Cam Martin (Missouri Southern) - 1,787 pts./738 rbs.
Ryan Daly (St. Joseph's) - 1,705 pts./647 rbs.
Grant Golden (Richmond) - 1,649 pts./743 rbs.
Loudon Love (Wright State) - 1,595 pts./1,000 rbs.
Ryan Hawkins (Northwest Mo. St.) - 1,555 pts./737 rbs.
Cameron Krutwig (Loyola) - 1,545 pts./803 rbs.)

MCCOLLUM GETS DEFENSIVE
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum can get defensive. When the Bearcats hold an opponent to 59 points or less, McCollum has guided Northwest to a mark of 124-5 in his 12 year career.

MCCOLLUM MOVES TO 201 GAMES OVER .500
Northwest Missouri State head coach Ben McCollum owns a career coaching record to 278-77 - 201 games over .500.

MCCOLLUM RANKS NO. 3 IN WIN PERCENTAGE
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum ranks No. 3 among active NCAA Division II coaches in winning percentage with a minimum of 10 years as a head coach.
    McCollum also ranks No. 4 among all NCAA basketball head coaches (minimum of 10 years) in win percentage.
    McCollum has guided the Bearcats to a mark of 278-77 (.783 winning percentage) in his 12th season at the helm of the Northwest program.

NCAA Div. II Head Coach Win Percentage (Min. 10 yrs.)
1. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .841 (428-81, 16 yrs.)
2. Josh Schertz (Lincoln Memorial)    .831 (325-66, 12 yrs.)
3. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .783 (278-77, 12 yrs.)
4. Jeff Young (Walsh)    .768 (384-116, 17 yrs.)
5. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .766 (333-102, 14 yrs.)
6. Charlie Ernst (Findlay)    .762 (212-66, 10 yrs.)
7. Ken Ammann (Concordia, Calif.)    .751 (485-161, 19 yrs.)
8. Mike Jones (Mississippi College)    .732 (338-124, 17 yrs.)
9. Lonnie Blow (Virginia State)    .729 (212-79, 10 yrs.)
10. Herb Magee (Jefferson)    .717 (1,123-444, 53 yrs.)
Source: NCAA Statistics

NCAA All Divisions Head Coach Win Percentage (Min. 10 yrs.)
1. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .841 (428-81, 16 yrs.)
2. Mark Few (Gonzaga)    .831 (611-124, 21 yrs.)
3. Josh Schertz (Lincoln Memorial)    .831 (325-66, 12 yrs.)
4. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .783 (278-77, 12 yrs.)
5. Roy Williams (North Carolina)    .776 (892-257, 32 yrs.)
6. John Calipari (Kentucky)    .769 (737-221, 28 yrs.)
7. Bill Self (Kansas)    .769 (718-216, 27 yrs.)
8. Mike Krzyzewski (Duke)    .768 (1,162-352, 45 yrs.)
9. Jeff Young (Walsh)    .768 (384-116, 18 yrs.)
10. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .766 (333-102, 14 yrs.)
Source: NCAA Statistics

HAWKINS MOVES UP REBOUNDING CHART
Senior Ryan Hawkins is one of five Bearcats to have ever tallied at least 700 career rebounds. Hawkins ranks No. 5 on Northwest's all-time rebounding list with 737 career caroms.

Northwest's Rebounds in a Career
1.     Don Sears (1966-1970)    874
2.     Russ Miller (1976-1980)    837
3.     Hunter Henry (2006-2009)    808
4.     Joe Hurst (1983-1986)    777
5.     Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)    737
6.     David Alvey (1973-1977)    677
7.     Chris-Ebou Ndow (2015-2018)    654
8.     Victor Coleman (1981-1984)    586
9.     Rick Jolley (1993-1996)    574
        Mark Adams (1976-1980)    574
        Bob Sundell (1986-1989)    574

HAWK CLIMBS BEARCAT STEALS LIST
Ryan Hawkins ranks No. 5 on Northwest's all-time steals list with 182 career steals.

Northwest Steals in a Career
1.     Scott Fleming (2000-2003)        305
2.    Kelvin Parker (2001-2004)        209
3.     Mark Yager (1979-1982)            188
4.    Justin Pitts (2014-2018)            186
5.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)        182
6.    Victor Coleman (1981-1984)        174
7.    Matt Wallace (2011-2015)        158
8.    Gerald Harris (1986-1988)        153
9.    Hunter Henry (2006-2009)        146
10.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-2014)        132

1,000 POINTS/500 REBOUNDS
Last season, Ryan Hawkins became the 13th Bearcat to post 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.
    Hawkins ranks No. 9 on Northwest's all-time scoring list with 1,555 points.
    Hawkins ranks No. 5 on Northwest's all-time rebounding list with 737 career rebounds.

Northwest's 1,000 Pts & 500 Rbs
Victor Coleman (1980-84)    1,759 pts/586 rbs
David Alvey (1973-77)    1,747 pts/677 rbs
Hunter Henry (2006-09)    1,592 pts/808 rbs
Joe Hurst (1982-86)    1,580 pts/777 rbs
Ryan Hawkins (2017-pr.)    1,555 pts/737 rbs
Russ Miller (1976-80)    1,282 pts/837 rbs
Jeff Hutcheon (1985-89)    1,203 pts/519 rbs
Matt Redd (1996-99)    1,200 pts/571 rbs
Don Sears (1966-70)    1,154 pts/874 rbs
Dillon Starzl (2011-14)    1,153 pts/518 rbs
Chris Ebou Ndow (2015-18)    1,134 pts/654 rbs
Bob Sundell (1986-89)    1,082 pts/574 rbs
Rick Jolley (1993-96)    1,054 pts/574 rbs

Northwest Points in a Career
1.     Justin Pitts (2014-18)            2,459 pts
2.    Victor Coleman (1980-84)        1,795 pts
3.    David Alvey (1973-77)            1,747 pts
4.    Scott Fleming (1999-2003)        1,727 pts
5.     DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)        1,702 pts
6.    Kelvin Parker (2000-04)            1,692 pts
7.    Hunter Henry (2006-09)            1,592 pts
8.    Joe Hurst (1982-86)            1,580 pts.
9. Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)        1,555 pts
10.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-pres.)        1,478 pts
10.    Conner Crooker (2012-16)        1,352 pts
12.    Austin Meyer (2003-06)            1,294 pts
13.    Ellijah Allen (2008-11)            1,289 pts
14.    Zach Schneider (2013-17)        1,282 pts
    Russ Miller (1976-80)            1,282 pts

D.B. ZEROING IN ON 1,000 POINTS, 500 RBS
Junior Diego Bernard will look to become only the 25th Bearcat men's basketball player to reach 1,000 career points in the 2020-21 season.
    Bernard has tallied 976 points and 440 rebounds entering this week's action. He would become the 14th Bearcat to reach 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.

TREV CLIMBS CAREER ASSIST CHART
Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 7 on Northwest's all-time assist chart with 432 career dimes.
    Hudgins dished out 191 assists last season, which as the second-best season in Bearcat history. Hudgins set the Northwest single-season assist mark with 203 in 2018-19.

Northwest Assists in a Career
1.     Justin Pitts (2014-18)        575
2.     Kelvin Parker (2001-04)        492
3.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)    489
4.    Victor Coleman (1981-84)    467
5.    Mark Yager (1979-82)        449
6.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)        435
7.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-pr.)    432
8.    Matt Wallace (2011-15)        410
9.    Gerald Harris (1986-88)        274
10.    Steve Simon (1992-95)        245

Northwest Assists in a Season
1.     Trevor Hudgins (2018-19)    203
2.    Trevor Hudgins (2019-20)    191
3.    Justin Pitts (2016-17)        183
4.    Kelvin Parker (2003-04)        174
5.    Justin Pitts (2015-16)        160
6.    Matt Wallace (2012-13)        151
7.    James Williams (1983-84)    144
8.    Mark Yager (1979-80)        143
9.    Justin Pitts (2017-18)        140
10.    Victor Coleman (1981-82)    136
    DeShaun Cooper (2010-11)    136

HUDGINS HITTING FROM DEEP
Junior Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 3 among all active players in three-point field goal percentage in all NCAA divisions by draining 200-of-395 three-pointers (50.6%).

NCAA D-II Active Career Leaders - 3-Point FG Pct.
1. Mason Stark (Northern State)        .544
2. Trevor Hudgins (Northwest Missouri St.)    .506
3. Will Yoakum (West Liberty)            .488
4. Tobin Karlberg (Alaska Anchorage)    .471
5. Cal Hartley (Drury)                .466
Minimum 80 3-pt FGs made

NCAA All Active Career Leaders - 3-Point FG Pct.
1. Mason Stark (Northern State)        .544
2. Trevor Hudgins (Northwest Missouri St.)    .499
3. Will Yoakum (West Liberty)            .488
4. Cal Hartley (Drury)                .466
5. Braden Norris (Loyola Chicago)        .462
Minimum 80 3-pt FGs made

HAWKINS, HUDGINS MAKE THEIR WAY UP NORTHWEST'S 3-POINT CHART
Senior Ryan Hawkins ranks T-No. 4 on Northwest's all-time three-pointers made chart with 215.
    Junior Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 7 with 200 made three-pointers.

Northwest 3-Pointers Made in a Career
1.     Zach Schneider (2013-17)        370
2.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)        271
3.    Ryan Welty (2016-20)        238
4.    Austin Meyer (2003-06)        215
    Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)    215
6.    Conner Crooker (2013-16)        205
7.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-pres.)    200
8.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)        173
9.    Joey Witthus (2017-19)        172
10.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)    170

OVERTIME LOSS FOR BEARCATS
No. 5-ranked Washburn scored an 84-82 overtime victory over Northwest on Thursday marking the Bearcats first overtime loss since a 60-59 setback vs. Central Missouri (March 18, 2014).
    Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum is 7-4 in overtime contests.

ICHABODS SNAP ALL KINDS OF STREAKS
The Washburn victory snapped Northwest's 28-game win streak, 35-game home-court win streak and 25-game MIAA win streak.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN BEARCAT ARENA
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home mark of 128-10, which includes a tally of 83-8 in MIAA play.
    Northwest has won 57 of its last 59 home MIAA contests - a stretch that began Jan. 14, 2015.

Year        Record (MIAA Games)
2011-12    12-1 (9-1)
2012-13    12-3 (6-3)
2013-14    12-1 (9-1)
2014-15    13-2 (8-1)
2015-16    13-0 (11-0)
2016-17    18-0 (10-0)
2017-18    12-2 (8-1)
2018-19    17-0 (9-0)
2019-20    16-0 (10-0)
2020-21    3-1 (3-1)

MCCOLLUM RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR IN STYLE
Northwest head coach Ben McCollum has registered a 8-0 mark in games played on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in his tenure.
HAWKINS TABBED MIAA ATHLETE OF WEEK
Northwest Missouri State University senior forward Ryan Hawkins has been named the MIAA men's basketball athlete of the week.
    Hawkins (Atlantic, Iowa/Atlantic HS) averaged 29.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and shot 56.4% from the floor in leading No. 1-ranked Northwest to a pair of home victories over Central Missouri and Lincoln.
    Hawkins buried a team-best 10 three-pointers in the two contests, while shooting 50% from beyond the three-point arc. He scored a game-high 25 points against Central Missouri. Hawkins went 9-of-18 from the field against the Mules, including 4-of-10 from 3-point range. He also secured six rebounds and handed out two assists.
    Hawkins came back Saturday with his seventh career 30-point game by pouring in a game-high 34 points against the Blue Tigers. Hawkins was 13-of-21 from the field and he sank 6-of-10 from 3-point range. Hawkins tallied a game-high nine rebounds, while accruing two steals and two assists.
    It is the fourth time that Hawkins has earned the MIAA's athlete of the week award.

HUDGINS HONORED AS MIAA'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Junior guard Trevor Hudgins was selected as the week's MIAA men's basketball athlete of the week.
    Hudgins (Manhattan, Kansas) scored a game-high 27 points in leading Northwest to a season-opening 86-78 road victory over Rogers State. Hudgins also grabbed five rebounds, handed out four assists, tallied three steals and did not turn the ball over in 38:23 minutes of action. Hudgins was 6-of-10 from the field and 13-of-15 at the free throw line. Hudgins sank 2-of-4 from three-point land in helping Northwest to its 24th consecutive victory.
    It is the fifth time Hudgins's career that has earned the MIAA's top weekly honor.

FOUR DEBUTS AT ROGERS STATE
A quartet of Bearcats saw their first collegiate action in Northwest's 86-78 road win at Rogers State.
    Redshirt freshman Mitch Mascari played 6 1/2 minutes and missed a field goal attempt.
    Freshman Byron Alexander played nearly 20 minutes and scored two points and grabbed a pair of rebounds.
    Freshman Daniel Abreu clocked 18-plus minutes and scored six points, including a three-pointer.
    Freshman Isaiah Jackson played the final minute and a half but did not record a statistic.
100-POINT MARK
Northwest has scored 100 or more points 14 times under head coach Ben McCollum.
    Northwest reached 100 or more points four times last season.

100-Point Games under McCollum
105-55 vs. Manhattan Christian (11/16/09)
104-67 vs. Graceland (11/28/09)
105-59 vs. Waldorf (12/16/13)
104-69 at Southwest Baptist (1/16/14)
103-58 vs. Missouri Valley (12/13/16)
100-86 vs. Ferris State (11/3/18)
100-66 vs. Midland (12/1/18)
108-58 vs. Simpson (12/30/18)
105-70 at Northeastern State (1/3/19)
111-83 vs. Pittsburg State (1/31/19)
100-88 vs. Southern Nazarene (11/2/19)
102-59 vs. William Jewell (11/21/19)
110-66 vs. Central Methodist (12/16/19)
101-66 vs. Simpson (1/1/20)

NO. 1 IN THE NATION
Following its loss to Washburn, Northwest fell from the No. 1 ranking to No. 3 in the NABC's Division II Top 25 Poll. Northwest has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in five consecutive seasons.
    Northwest has spent 38 weeks ranked No. 1 in the nation in the NABC poll. Northwest was first ranked No. 1 on Jan. 13, 2004.

Most weeks ranked No. 1
52, Kentucky Wesleyan
46, West Liberty
38, Northwest Missouri State
33, Virginia Union
26, Evansville
25, Cal State-Bakersfield
22, Bellarmine
22, Florida Southern
20, MSU Denver
18, Kentucky State

37 STRAIGHT WEEKS IN TOP 5
The Jan. 12, 2021, NABC preseason Division II Top 25 poll marks the 37th straight week that Northwest has been ranked in the top five.

39 WINS IN A ROW ON NEUTRAL COURTS
Northwest has won 39 straight games on neutral floors. It is the longest active win streak among all NCAA Div. I, II and III schools.
    Gonzaga holds the current Div. I mark with seven consecutive neutral floor victories.
    Washington University in St. Louis owns the active Div. III mark with 16 straight neutral floor wins.
    Northwest's last loss on a neutral floor came Nov. 13, 2015, vs. Upper Iowa (L, 76-72).

Current Neutral Court Win Streaks (All NCAA Divisions)
Northwest Missouri State (II) – 39
WashU (III) – 16
Claremont-M-S (III) – 10
Wittenberg (III) – 10
Gonzaga (I) – 7
Adelphi (II) – 7
Scranton (III) – 7
Trinity (III) – 7
Wisconsin-Oshkosh (III) – 7
Last loss - 11/13/15 vs. Upper Iowa (L, 76-72)

20TH NCAA APPEARANCE
Northwest earned its 20th NCAA Tournament bid in 2019-20 before the season was canceled as a result of COVID-19. It was the Bearcats's eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament under 12th-year head coach Ben McCollum.
    Northwest is 29-20 all-time in the NCAA Tournament with four appearances in the Elite Eight (2002, 2004, 2017, 2019).
    The Bearcats have claimed two national championships with titles in 2017 and 2019.

MIAA REIGN CONTINUES
In 2019-20, Northwest became the first school in MIAA history to win seven consecutive MIAA regular season titles. The Bearcats also became the first MIAA program to win five consecutive league tournament titles.

NINE STRAIGHT 20-WIN YEARS
Northwest eclipsed the 20-win mark for the ninth straight year.
    Northwest is one of five NCAA Division II schools to have won 20 or more games in nine straight seasons. Northwest (9), West Liberty (16), Bellarmine (11), Indiana Pa. (12) and Lincoln Memorial (11) extended their steak of 20-win seasons in 2019-2020.
    It marks the 26th 20-win season in program history and ninth under head coach Ben McCollum.

Northwest Coaching 20-Win Seasons
Steve Tappmeyer - 10
Ben McCollum - 9
Hank Iba - 3
Lionel Sinn - 3
Sparky Stalcup - 1

MIAA PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
Northwest was picked at the top of the 2020-21 preseason MIAA coaches' poll.

2020-21 MIAA Coaches Poll
1.     Northwest Missouri (13) - 169
2.     Missouri Southern (1) - 147
3.     Washburn - 140
4.    Rogers State - 123
5.    Missouri Western - 122
6.    Central Oklahoma - 106
T7.    Fort Hays State - 75
    Pittsburg State - 75
9.    Lincoln - 67
10.    Nebraska-Kearney - 64
11.    Central Missouri - 60
12.    Emporia State - 56
13.    Northeastern State - 55
14.     Newman - 17

A TOP 20 PROGRAM THAT INSPIRES
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat men's basketball program has been recognized by College Athletic Advisor in its Top 20 Programs That Inspire.
    These holistic program rankings are open to all 4-year U.S. collegiate level programs sponsoring each sport outside of NCAA Division I (so this is a top 20 out of over 1,500 colleges & universities that could potentially sponsor a given sport). Rankings are based on a subjective assessment of student experience in four areas:
• Holistic development of student-athletes in the institution
• Academic achievement & support for the academic success of student-athletes
• Overall college experience for participants within the program
• Affordability/Graduation Rates/Student Satisfaction
    These rankings are meant to highlight programs that may not be widely publicized despite having achieved consistent elite status in competition and in elevating the lives of participating student-athletes. While this is a subjective list, we believe these rankings present an informed starting point for a discussion about where student-athletes can excel as "triple-threat" competitors (academics, athletics, and socially) in college and in their future lives.

BASKETBALL TIMES TABS NORTHWEST AT #1
The Basketball Times has pegged the Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team at No. 1 in its 2020-2021 preseason rankings.
    The Basketball Times also lists senior Ryan Hawkins and junior Trevor Hudgins as preseason All-America selections. Both players are contenders for National Player of the Year honors.

SCHNEIDER IS AN IMPACTFUL ASSISTANT
Silver Waves Media presented its 50 most impactful Division II men's basketball assistant coaches and the list contained Northwest Missouri State University's Zach Schneider.
    Silver Waves Media said: Schneider is a young and hard working individual that has made a positive impact on the program from the start. Despite only being an assistant for two seasons, Schneider has already helped lead the team to a perfect 38-0 record and become the NCAA Division II Tournament Champions. He is an unbelievable 69-1 (.986) in two seasons as an assistant coach after spending one season as a graduate assistant coach. Schneider also played four years under Ben McCollum. During his four year career, Schneider was part of four MIAA regular season championships, two MIAA Tournament championships, four NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, and the 2017 NCAA Div. II national championship team.

NOVEMBER BRINGS WINS
Northwest has won its last 30 games it has played in the month of November.
    The Bearcats went 7-0 in November in 2019-20. The Bearcats went 7-0 in November in 2018-19. Northwest was 7-0 in the month of November in 2017-18. The Bearcats were a perfect 7-0 in November in its run to the national championship in the 2016-17 season.
    Northwest's last loss in November came Nov. 19, 2015 at Augustana. The Vikings scored a 79-77 win over the Bearcats in Sioux Falls, S.D.