Thursday, Feb. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Missouri
Nebraska-Kearney at No. 1 Northwest Missouri State
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS

Saturday, Feb. 27 | 3:30 p.m. | Bearcat Arena | Maryville, Missouri
Fort Hays State at No. 1 Northwest Missouri State
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS

NORTHWEST TO WRAP UP REGULAR SEASON AT HOME
The No. 1-ranked Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team (19-1 overall) will wrap up the regular season at home with a pair of MIAA matchups.
    Northwest will take on Nebraska-Kearney at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Bearcat Arena.
    The Bearcats will complete the MIAA's 22-game regular season slate at 3:30 p.m. Saturday against the Fort Hays State Tigers.

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

BEARCAT ARENA EXPANDS BASKETBALL ATTENDANCE
The Northwest Missouri State University Department of Athletics is moving forward with its plan to allow a limited number of fans into Bearcat Arena for women's and men's basketball doubleheaders.
    Student-athlete family members and season-ticket holders from 2019-2020 who expressed interest will have access to purchase seats this week. There will be no general admission tickets available for purchase.

ALL-TIME VS. NEB.-KEARNEY
Northwest holds a 9-1 lead in the all-time series with Nebraska-Kearney. Northwest is 4-0 all-time vs. UNK in Bearcat Arena.
    Northwest scored a 73-63 victory at UNK earlier this season.

ABOUT THE LOPERS
Nebraska-Kearney sits in 11th place in the MIAA standings with a league mark of 8-12. The Lopers are 3-6 on the road this season.
    The Lopers are led in scoring by Jake Walker (14.6 ppg), Austin Luger (14.3 ppg) and Darrian Nebeker (13.4 ppg).
    Head coach Kevin Lofton is in his sixth season leading the Loper program. Lofton has spent 26 seasons as a member of the UNK coaching staff having joined the program as a graduate assistant in the 1995-96 season.

ALL-TIME VS. FORT HAYS STATE
Northwest owns a 17-10 advantage in the all-time series vs. Fort Hays State. Northwest has won 10 straight matchups.
    Head coach Ben McCollum is 12-7 against the Tigers.
    Northwest posted a 64-51 win over Fort Hays State on Jan. 14. The Bearcats used a 15-2 run in the final 5:51 to close out the win.

ABOUT THE TIGERS
Fort Hays State enters the week tied for fourth with Missouri Western and Lincoln in the MIAA standings. The Tigers have posted a mark of 11-9 in league play.
    The Tigers have won three straight prior to their matchup Tuesday vs. Missouri Western.
    FHSU is 7-3 at home and 4-6 on the road this season.
    Jared Vitztum leads the MIAA in rebounding (10.0 rpg) and he ranks No. 5 in the league in scoring (18.5 ppg).
    Mark Johnson is in his 20th season as FHSU head coach. He is the all-time coaching wins leader in FHSU history with a career record of 384-195.

BEARCATS RETURN TO NO. 1 IN THE NATION
The Northwest Missouri State men's basketball team has returned to No. 1 in the latest NABC Division II Top 25 Poll.
    It marks the 39th time in program history Northwest has ascended to the No. 1 ranking. Northwest's first No. 1 ranking in school history came Jan. 13, 2004.
    Northwest has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in five consecutive seasons.

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

43 STRAIGHT WEEKS IN TOP 5
The Feb. 23, 2021, NABC preseason Division II Top 25 poll marks the 43rd straight week that Northwest has been ranked in the top five.

AIMING FOR 10 STRAIGHT 20-WIN SEASONS
Northwest is one victory away from securing its 10th straight 20-win season. The Bearcats begin the week with a mark of 19-1.
    Northwest has secured 26 20-win seasons in program history. Head coach Ben McCollum would tie Steve Tappmeyer for the most 20-win seasons should the Bearcats get their 20th victory this season.

Northwest Coaching 20-Win Seasons
Steve Tappmeyer - 10
Ben McCollum - 9
Hank Iba - 3
Lionel Sinn - 3
Sparky Stalcup - 1
    
20-VICTORY SEASONS ON THE NATIONAL SCENE
Northwest is one of five NCAA Division II schools to have won 20 or more games in the previous nine 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.
    Lincoln Memorial is 16-3 this season. West Liberty is 10-3 this season. Indiana (Pa.) is not playing basketball this season due to COVID-19. Bellarmine transitioned to Division I and is 13-5 this year.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE IN BEARCAT ARENA
Since the start of the 2011-12 season, Northwest has compiled a home mark of 133-10, including a tally of 88-8 in MIAA play. Northwest has won 62 of its last 64 home MIAA contests,a stretch beginning 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    8-1 (8-1)

NORTHWEST RUNS WIN STREAK TO 14
Northwest moved its current win streak to 14 in a row - the second-longest active win streak among NCAA Division II teams. Only Lubbock Christian (16) possesses a longer active win streak.

Active Division II Win Streaks
Lubbock Christian – 16
Northwest Mo. St. – 14
Hillsdale – 14
St. Thomas Aquinas – 12
Charleston, W.Va. – 12
Truman State – 11
St. Anselm – 11
Texas A&M-Kingsville – 11

Active NCAA Men's Basketball Win Streaks
Yeshiva (III) – 32
Gonzaga (I) – 36
Belmont (I) – 21
SUNY Brockport (III) – 19
Baylor (I) – 17
Lubbock Christian (II) – 16
Northwest Mo. St. (II) – 14
Hillsdale (II) – 14
Trine (III) – 13
UC Santa Barbara (I) – 12
St. Thomas Aquinas (II) – 12
Charleston, W.Va. (II) – 12

EIGHT STRAIGHT MIAA TITLES; 21ST OVERALL
Northwest captured its eighth straight MIAA regular season crown. It is the 21st overall MIAA crown for Northwest, which ties it with Central Missouri for the most regular season titles in league history.

MIAA Regular Season Titles
Northwest - 21
Central Missouri - 21
Missouri State - 19
Southeast Missouri State - 13
Washburn - 10
Truman State - 9
Missouri Western - 5
Southwest Baptist - 4
Lincoln - 4
Missouri Southern - 2
Missouri S&T - 2
Fort Hays State - 1
Pittsburg State - 1

BEARCATS CLINCH 1 SEED FOR MIAA TOURNEY
Northwest clinched the top seed for the 2021 MIAA Tournament giving the Bearcats a chance to play host to the MIAA tournament semifinals and finals with a victory in the quarterfinals.
    This year's MIAA Tournament will take place on campus sites. The quarterfinal round is set for Wednesday, March 3. The top remaining seed from the quarterfinals will serve as the host for the semifinals (March 5) and championship game (March 6).

HAWKINS HITS FOR 34, DOUBLE-DOUBLE AT EMPORIA
Senior forward Ryan Hawkins carried the Bearcats to a 69-62 victory at Emporia State Thursday.
    Hawkins tallied a game-high 34 points to go along with 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals.
    It's the 11th career 30-point game and the 25th career double-double for Hawkins. Hawkins went 14-of-22 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three.

Career Double-Figure Scoring Games
Trevor Hudgins - 83
Ryan Hawkins - 80
Diego Bernard - 67
Luke Waters - 18
Wes Dreamer - 12
Byron Alexander - 3
Daric Laing - 2

Career 20-Point Scoring Games
Trevor Hudgins - 47
Ryan Hawkins - 37
Diego Bernard - 9
Wes Dreamer - 3
Luke Waters - 1

Career 30-Point Scoring Games
Ryan Hawkins - 11
Trevor Hudgins - 7

Career 40-Point Scoring Games
Ryan Hawkins - 2

HAWK SNARES ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Ryan Hawkins nabbed his 25th career double-double with 34 points and 10 rebounds at Emporia State.

Career Double-Doubles
Ryan Hawkins - 25
Trevor Hudgins - 8
Diego Bernard - 6
Wes Dreamer - 2


WATERS FLOWING OVER LAST FIVE GAMES
Sophomore Luke Waters has been a consistent contributer over the last five games by averaging 12.8 points per game and shooting 57.5% from the field.
    Waters has reached double-figure scoring in four of the last five games including 16 vs. Missouri Southern, 15 at Emporia State and 17 at Washburn.
    His 64 points over the previous five games ranks third on the squad trailing only Trevor Hudgins (116) and Ryan Hawkins (115).

A STREAK OF STREAKS
Northwest moved its current win streak to 14 in a row. Northwest has had at least one 10-game winning streak in each of the last eight seasons.
    Northwest has also had at least one 12-game winning streak in each of the last six seasons.

OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY
The Bearcat men's basketball squad ranks No. 3 in the nation among NCAA Division II schools in points per offensive possession (1.096) according to Synergy Sports Technology.

Points Per Possession (NCAA Div. II)
1.    Lubbock Christian    1.103
2.    Dallas Baptist    1.096
3.    Northwest Mo. St.    1.096
4.    Lincoln Memorial    1.076
5.    Charleston, W.Va.    1.059
6.    Hillsdale        1.029
7.    West Texas A&M    1.029
8.    Minn. St. Moorhead    1.028
9.    Salem        1.028
10.    Allen, S.C.        1.024
Courtesy: Synergy Sports Technology

Points Per Possession (NCAA Div. I)
1.    Gonzaga        1.091
2.    Weber State        1.049
3.    Baylor        1.044
4.    Colgate        1.042
5.    Liberty        1.041
6.    Virginia        1.035
7.    Belmont        1.032
8.    Iowa            1.032
9.    Villanova        1.027
10.    Bellarmine        1.020
Courtesy: Synergy Sports Technology

WINNING NUMBERS
Northwest has posted a spectacular mark of 88-2 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 150-7 over the last five years.

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

LAST 127 MIAA GAMES
Beginning Jan. 14, 2015, Northwest is 118-9 in its last 127 MIAA games. Seven of those nine losses have come on the road.
    In that stretch, Northwest is 61-2 in Bearcat Arena in MIAA matchups.

PRETTY GOOD VS. MIAA FOES
Since Feb. 22, 2018, Northwest has won 67 of its last 69 games against MIAA opponents (regular season/postseason).

BEARCATS AMONG NATION'S LEADERS
Northwest ranks No. 3 in the nation in three-pointers made (210) and in three-point field goal percentage (42.3%).
    The Bearcats rank No. 7 in the nation in field goal percentage (52.2%).
    Northwest ranks No. 9 in free throws made (300) and in free throw percentage (79.4%).
    The Bearcats rank No. 15 in rebound margin (+7.2) and in scoring margin (+13.7) and total steals (130).
    Northwest ranks No. 19 in scoring defense (66.3).

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 eight different MIAA statistical categories.

1st - Minutes Played (38.0)
2nd - 3-Point FG% (52.6)
2nd - 3-Pointers Made (3.1)
3rd - Free Throw % (87.7)
3rd - Assists (5.1)
3rd - Assist-to-Turnover Ratio (2.5)
4th - Scoring (19.7)
7th - Field Goal % (53.1)

HAWKINS AMONG DIVISION'S ELITE PLAYERS
Senior forward Ryan Hawkins is considered among the elite NCAA Division II players in the nation and his name is scattered atop the active career leaders in numerous categories.

1st - Games Played (121)
2nd - Steals (203)
2nd - Rebounds (854)
4th - Field Goals Made (669)
5th - Total Points (1,853)
7th - 3-Point Field Goals Made (252)

THREE 1,500 POINT SCORERS
Northwest's Ryan Hawkins and Trevor Hudgins are one of only three sets of teammates in the country who have scored at least 1,500 career points.
    Hawkins has tallied 1,853 points, while Hudgins has registered 1,732 points.
    UTSA's Jhivvan Jackson is the nation's active leading scorer with 2,461 points, while Keaton Wallace has posted 1,964 points.
    Iowa's Luka Garza (2,103 points) and Jordan Bohannon (1,525 points) are the other set of teammates to each have more than 1,500 career points.

HAWKINS, HUDGINS RANK AT TOP OF MIAA SCORING LIST
Senior Ryan Hawkins ranks No. 2 in the MIAA in scoring (21.7 ppg), while junior Trevor Hudgins sits at No. 4 in the league in scoring (19.7 ppg).

BERNARD REACHES 1,000 PTS
Junior Diego Bernard became the 26th Bearcat to reach 1,000 career points in the program's history.
    This year's Bearcat team possesses three 1,000-point scorers. Ryan Hawkins ranks No. 2 with 1,853. Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 7 with 1,732. Bernard ranks No. 26 with 1,110.
    Bernard is the 11th Bearcat under head coach Ben McCollum to reach the 1,000-point mark.

Northwest's 1,000 Point Scorers
1.     Justin Pitts (2014-18)            2,459 pts
2. Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)        1,853 pts
3.    Victor Coleman (1980-84)        1,795 pts
4.    David Alvey (1973-77)            1,747 pts
5.    Scott Fleming (1999-2003)        1,727 pts
6.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-pres.)        1,732 pts
7.     DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)        1,702 pts
8.    Kelvin Parker (2000-04)            1,692 pts
9.    Hunter Henry (2006-09)            1,592 pts
10.    Joe Hurst (1982-86)            1,580 pts.
11.    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
16. Jeff Hutcheon (1985-89)            1,203 pts
17. Matt Redd (1996-99)            1,200 pts
18. Gerald Harris (1984-88)            1,198 pts
19. Don Sears (1966-70)            1,154 pts
20. Dillon Starzl (2011-14)            1,153 pts
21. Joey Witthus (2017-19)            1,150 pts
22. Glenn Phillips (1985-87)            1,147 pts
23. Chris-Ebou Ndow (2015-18)        1,134 pts
24. Diego Bernard (2018-pres.)        1,110 pts.
25. Bob Sundell (1986-89)            1,082 pts
26. Rick Jolley (1993-96)            1,054 pts

D.B. JOINS 1,000-POINT, 500-REBOUND CLUB
Junior Diego Bernard became the 14th Bearcat to secure at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. He and teammate Ryan Hawkins are the only two active members of the club.

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.)    1,853 pts/854 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
Diego Bernard (2018-pr.)    1,110 pts/517 rbs
Bob Sundell (1986-89)    1,082 pts/574 rbs
Rick Jolley (1993-96)    1,054 pts/574 rbs

HUDGINS RANKS FIRST AMONG ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS IN ASSIST-TOTURNOVER RATIO
Junior Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 1 among all NCAA divisions in career assist-to-turnover ratio. Hudgins possesses a 3.16 assist-to-turnover ratio in his collegiate career. Hudgins has 496 career assists to go against 157 career turnovers.

HUDGINS ONE OF SEVEN IN NATION WITH 1,700 POINTS & 400 ASSISTS
Junior Trevor Hudgins is one of eight active players in the nation (all NCAA Divisions) with at least 1,700 points and 400 assists.
    Hudgins and UConn's R.J. Cole are the only juniors on the list. Hudgins and Drury's Conley Garrison are the only two non-NCAA Division I players listed.

1,700 Points & 400 Assists
Colbey Ross (Pepperdine) - 2,092 pts./791 assists
Carlik Jones (Louisville) - 1,809 pts./537 assists
Mike Smith (Michigan) - 1,799 pts./485 assists
Trevor Hudgins (NW Mo. St.) - 1,732 pts./496 assists
R.J. Glasper (Oral Roberts) - 1,729 pts./454 assists
McKinley Wright (Colorado) - 1,718 pts./631 assists
Conley Garrison (Drury) - 1,711 pts./476 assists
R.J. Cole (UConn) - 1,073 pts./484 assists

HAWKINS ONE OF FIVE WITH 1,800 POINTS, 800 REBOUNDS
Senior forward Ryan Hawkins is one of five active NCAA men's basketball players to have tallied at least 1,800 points and 800 rebounds. Two of the five players reside in the MIAA - Hawkins and Missouri Southern's Cam Martin.

1,800 Points & 800 Rebounds
Terry Taylor (Austin Peay) - 2,454 points/1,219 rebounds
Luka Garza (Iowa) - 2,126 points/856 rebounds
Cam Martin (Missouri Southern) - 2,077 points/849 rebounds
Andrew Sischo (Daemen) - 2,014 points/1,003 rebounds
Ryan Hawkins (Northwest Mo. St.) - 1,853 points/854 rebounds

HAWKINS MOVES UP REBOUNDING CHART
Senior Ryan Hawkins is one of four Bearcats to have reached at least 800 career rebounds. Hawkins ranks No. 2 on Northwest's all-time rebounding list with 854 career caroms.
    Hawkins needs 20 rebounds to equal Don Sears's school record total of 874 set from 1966-1970.

Northwest's Rebounds in a Career
1.     Don Sears (1966-1970)    874
2.     Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)    854
3.     Russ Miller (1976-1980)    837
4.     Hunter Henry (2006-2009)    808
5.     Joe Hurst (1983-1986)    777
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

HAWKINS, HUDGINS SURGING UP CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE LIST
Ryan Hawkins ranks No. 3 on Northwest's all-time field goals made list with 669, while Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 6 with 591 made field goals.

Northwest Field Goals in a Career
1. Justin Pitts (2014-18)        887
2. Victor Coleman (1981-84)    793
3. Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)    669
4. David Alvey (1974-77)        644
5. Joe Hurst (1983-86)        635
6. Trevor Hudgins (2018-pres.)    591
7. Hunter Henry (2006-09)        589
8. Kelvin Parker (2001-04)        571
9. DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)    546
10. Russ Miller (1977-80)        503

TREV CLIMBS CAREER ASSIST CHART
Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 2 on Northwest's all-time assist chart with 496 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.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-pr.)    496
3.     Kelvin Parker (2001-04)        492
4.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)    489
5.    Victor Coleman (1981-84)    467
6.    Mark Yager (1979-82)        449
7.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)        435
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. 2 among NCAA Division II, and he ranks No. 2 among all active players in three-point field goal percentage in all NCAA divisions by draining 238-of-470 career three-pointers (50.6%).

NCAA D-II Active Career Leaders - 3-Point FG Pct.
1. Mason Stark (Northern State)        .530
2. Trevor Hudgins (Northwest Missouri St.)    .506
3. Ty Caswell (Lubbock Christian)        .467
4. Cal Hartley (Drury)                .465
5. Jake Hilmer (Upper Iowa)            .465
Minimum 80 3-pt FGs made

NCAA All Active Career Leaders - 3-Point FG Pct.
1. Mason Stark (Northern State)        .530
2. Trevor Hudgins (Northwest Missouri St.)    .506
3. Jackson Sartain (John Carroll)        .470
4. Ty Caswell (Lubbock Christian)        .467
5. Cal Hartley (Drury)                .465
Minimum 80 3-pt FGs made

HAWKINS, HUDGINS MAKE THEIR WAY UP NORTHWEST'S 3-POINT CHART
Senior Ryan Hawkins ranks No. 3 on Northwest's all-time three-pointers made chart with 251.
    Junior Trevor Hudgins ranks T-No. 4 with 238 made three-pointers.

Northwest 3-Pointers Made in a Career
1.     Zach Schneider (2013-17)        370
2.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)        271
3.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)    252
4.    Ryan Welty (2016-20)        238
    Trevor Hudgins (2018-pres.)    238
5.    Austin Meyer (2003-06)        215
7.    Conner Crooker (2013-16)        205
8.    Scott Fleming (2000-03)        173
9.    Joey Witthus (2017-19)        172
10.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)    170

HUDGINS MOVES INTO CAREER FTS CHART
Junior guard Trevor Hudgins ranks No. 8 on Northwest's all-time free throws chart with 312.
    Hudgins would rank No. 2 on Northwest's all-time free throw percentage chart - as he has sank 312 of 362 career free throws (85.7%). Conner Crooker (2013-16) holds the career free throw shooting percentage mark at 86.1% (223-of-259).
    As a freshman, Hudgins tied the MIAA record with 36 consecutive free throws made.

Northwest Free Throws Made in a Career
1.     Scott Fleming (2000-03)        628
2.    David Alvey (1974-77)        459
3.    DeShaun Cooper (2009-14)    440
4.    Justin Pitts (2014-18)        414
5.    Kelvin Parker (2001-04)        402
6.    Hunter Henry (2006-09)        353
7.    Elijah Allen (2007-11)        319
8.    Trevor Hudgins (2018-pres.)    312
9.    Joe Hurst (1983-86)        310
10.    Grant Cozad (2011-15)        285

MCCOLLUM RANKS NO. 4 IN WIN PERCENTAGE
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum ranks No. 4 among active NCAA Division II coaches in winning percentage with a minimum of 10 years as a head coach.
    McCollum also ranks No. 6 among all NCAA basketball head coaches (minimum of 10 years) in win percentage.
    McCollum has guided the Bearcats to a mark of 291-77 (.791 winning percentage) in his 12th season at the helm of the Northwest program.

NCAA Div. II Head Coach Win Percentage (Min. 10 yrs.)
1. Matt Logie (Point Loma)    .842 (224-42, 10 yrs.)
2. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .841 (428-81, 16 yrs.)
3. Josh Schertz (Lincoln Memorial)    .831 (334-68, 12 yrs.)
4. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .791 (291-77, 12 yrs.)
5. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .766 (333-102, 14 yrs.)
6. Charlie Ernst (Findlay)    .763 (223-69, 10 yrs.)
7. Jeff Young (Walsh)    .760 (388-122, 17 yrs.)
8. Ken Ammann (Concordia, Calif.)    .741 (486-170, 19 yrs.)
9. Lonnie Blow (Virginia State)    .729 (212-79, 10 yrs.)
10. Mike Jones (Mississippi College)    .726 (340-128, 17 yrs.)
Source: NCAA Statistics

NCAA All Divisions Head Coach Win Percentage (Min. 10 yrs.)
1. Matt Logie (Point Loma)    .842 (224-42, 10 yrs.)
2. Jim Crutchfield (Nova Southeastern)    .841 (428-81, 16 yrs.)
3. Mark Few (Gonzaga)    .834 (621-124, 21 yrs.)
4. Josh Schertz (Lincoln Memorial)    .831 (334-68, 12 yrs.)
5. John Tauer (St. Thomas, Minn.)    .810 (213-50, 10 yrs.)
6. Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.)    .791 (291-77, 12 yrs.)
7. Roy Williams (North Carolina)    .776 (899-260, 32 yrs.)
8. Scott Davenport (Bellarmine)    .768 (375-112, 16 yrs.)
9. Bill Self (Kansas)    .766 (725-221, 28 yrs.)
10. Joe Lombardi (Indiana, Pa.)    .766 (333-102, 14 yrs.)
 Source: NCAA Statistics

10+ YEARS, LESS THAN 80 TOTAL LOSSES
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum is one of five active NCAA men's basketball coaches to have registered less than 80 career losses with at least 10 years of head coaching experience.

Name (School) - Losses (Yrs.)
Matt Logie (Point Loma) - 42 losses (10 yrs.)
Josh Schertz (Lincoln Memorial) - 68 losses (13 yrs.)
Charlie Ernst (Findlay) - 69 losses (10 yrs.)
Ben McCollum (Northwest Mo. St.) - 77 losses (12 yrs.)
Lonnie Blow (Virginia State) - 79 losses (10 yrs.)

MCCOLLUM RANKS NO. 9 IN MIAA WINS
Bearcat head coach Ben McCollum ranks No. 9 on the MIAA's all-time head coaching wins list with 291. Former Bearcat leader Steve Tappmeyer holds down the No. 4 spot with 408 wins when he was at Northwest.

MIAA Coaching Victories
1.     Bob Chipman (Washburn)        569
2.    Tom Smith (UCM, MWSU)        516
3.    Robert Corn (Missouri Southern)    413
4.    Steve Tappmeyer (NWMSU)    408
5.    Boyd King (Truman State)        379
6.    Kim Anderson (UCM, PSU)    329
7.    Willard Sims (Truman State)    310
8.    A.J. McDonald (Missouri State)    302
9.    Ben McCollum (NWMSU)    291
10.    Billy Key (Missouri S&T)        278

FEBRUARY DOMINANCE UNDER MCCOLLUM
Northwest head coach Ben McCollum has helped guide the Bearcats to 26 straight wins in the month of February.
    McCollum has led Northwest to a mark of 56-2 over the program's last 58 February games.

MCCOLLUM MOVES TO 214 GAMES OVER .500
Northwest Missouri State head coach Ben McCollum owns a career coaching record to 291-77 - 214 games over .500.

LESS THAN 50
Northwest improved to 29-2 when holding the opposition to 50 points or less under head coach Ben McCollum following the 80-37 triumph at Central Missouri.
    It's the 14th time that a McCollum coached squad has held an MIAA opponent to less than 50 points in a game.

MCCOLLUM HAS BEARCATS 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 127-5 in his 12-year career.

90-PLUS = SUCCESS
Northwest has posted a mark of 49-0 when scoring 90 or more points with head coach Ben McCollum.
    Northwest has reached the 90-point mark twice this season in wins over Central Oklahoma (W, 90-68) and Emporia State (W, 92-71).

'CATS, MCCOLLUM ROLLING IN BIG VICTORIES
Under head coach Ben McCollum the Bearcats are 111-2 in games decided by 20 points or more.
    Northwest has won 109 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.

BEARCATS OWN NATION'S LONGEST ACTIVE ROAD WIN STREAK AT 18
Northwest has won 18 consecutive road games, which ranks tied for the longest active streak among all NCAA divisions.
    Northwest has won 34 of its last 35 road games. Northwest has gone 48-4 over the last four-plus seasons on the road in the MIAA.
    Northwest is 11-0 on the road this season. The Bearcats have won at least eight road games in each of the last five seasons.

Active Div. II Road Win Streaks
Northwest Mo. St. – 18
West Texas A&M – 14
Northern State – 12
Colorado School of Mines – 11
Lubbock Christian – 10
Florida Southern – 9
Jefferson – 9

Active NCAA Road Win Streaks
Northwest Mo. St. (II) – 18
St. John's, Minn. (III) – 16
Swarthmore (III) – 16
Yeshiva (III) – 16
Belmont (I) – 15
West Texas A&M (II) – 14
Averett (III) – 13
Winthrop (I) – 12
Northern State (II) – 12
Colorado School of Mines (II) – 11
Lubbock Christian (II) – 10
Trine (III) – 10

NORTHWEST LEADS NATION IN ROAD WINS
Northwest's 11 road wins are the most among all NCAA schools this season.
    Northwest is one of four NCAA Division I or Division II schools to have recorded at least 10 road wins in the 2020-21 season. Only Northwest (11-0), Belmont (10-0) and Winthrop (10-0) own perfect road records with at least 10 road victories.
    Eight other Division II programs have won at least eight road games this season in Colorado Mesa (10-1), Lubbock Christian (9-0), Truman State (9-1), Northern State (8-0), Hillsdale (8-1), Alabama-Huntsville (8-1), Union (8-2) and Lee (8-2).


NCAA Teams with Nine (or more) Road Wins
Northwest Missouri State (II) – 11-0
Belmont (I) – 10-0
Winthrop (I) – 10-0
Colorado Mesa (II) – 10-1
Lubbock Christian (II) – 9-0
Truman State (II) – 9-1
UMBC (I) – 9-2
Wright State (I) – 9-2
Chattanooga (I) – 9-3
UNC Greensboro (I) – 9-3
Texas State (I) – 9-3
Eastern Kentucky (I) – 9-4

LAING CONTRIBUTES OFF THE BENCH
Senior guard Daric Laing scored a season-high five points and a career-high two assists off the Bearcat bench in their 87-75 win over Pittsburg State. Laing also tallied his first career block against the Gorillas.

HUDGINS VS. MISSOURI SOUTHERN
Junior point guard and reigning MIAA Player of the Year Trevor Hudgins has averaged 25.1 points per game against Missouri Southern, while leading the Bearcats to a 7-0 mark vs. the Lions.
    Hudgins has three 30-point scoring games and has reached 20 or more in five of the seven contests.
    Hudgins and MSSU's Cam Martin each tied the MIAA Tournament championship game scoring record with 31 points in last year's title matchup.

HUDGINS NAMED MIAA ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Northwest Missouri State University junior point guard Trevor Hudgins has been named the MIAA's men's basketball athlete of the week.
    Hudgins (Manhattan, Kansas) had a pair of 30-point performances and averaged 25.7 points per game as Northwest captured three victories.
    It is the third time this season, and seventh time in his career, Hudgins has been honored with the MIAA's top weekly honor.
     Hudgins shot 62.8% from the floor (27-of-43), which included 65.2% from three-point range (15-of-23) and 80.0% from the line (8-of-10). He dished out 14 assists to go against three turnovers as he averaged 38.6 minutes played per game.
    He began the week with 16 points (7-of-11 shooting) in Northwest's 79-56 road win over Missouri Western. Hudgins had six assists and a steal against the Griffons.
     Hudgins buried a game-high 30 points (10-of-17 shooting) in an 87-75 victory over Pittsburg State. Hudgins knocked in five three-pointers and handed out four assists to go along with four rebounds vs. the Gorillas.
    He secured a game-high 31 points (10-of-15 shooting) and tallied eight three-pointers in Northwest's 83-69 triumph over Missouri Southern. Hudgins dished out four assists to go along with three steals against the Lions.

HAWKINS RAKES IN SEVEN STEALS VS. PITTSBURG STATE
Senior forward Ryan Hawkins raked in a career-high seven steals in Northwest's 87-75 win over Pittsburg State.
    The seven steals in a game ranks as the second-highest single-game total in Bearcat history.
    Mose Howard (vs. St. Mary - 11/15/05), Shakey Harrington (vs. Lincoln - 1/18/98) and Orlando Johnson (vs. Pittsburg State - 1/10/93) each tallied eight steals in a game to set the Northwest single-game steals record.
    Hawkins joins Mike Larson, Andy Peterson, Floyd Farrow, Glenn Marcus and Kareem Preston as the only Bearcats to record seven steals in a game.
    Ryan Hawkins ranks No. 3 on Northwest's all-time steals list with 202 career steals.

Northwest Steals in a Career
1.     Scott Fleming (2000-2003)        305
2.    Kelvin Parker (2001-2004)        209
3.    Ryan Hawkins (2017-pres.)        202
4.     Mark Yager (1979-1982)            188
5.    Justin Pitts (2014-2018)            186
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

NORTHWEST IN ST. JOSEPH
Northwest has won 19 consecutive games in the city of St. Joseph that includes six victories over Missouri Western.

Northwest's Last 18 Games in St. Joseph
W, 79-56 vs. Missouri Western (2/9/21)
W, 92-69 vs. Missouri Western (2/25/20)
W, 92-71 vs. MSU Moorhead (11/9/19
W, 60-52 vs. Minn.-Crookston (11/8/19)
W, 100-88 vs. Southern Nazarene (11/2/19)
W, 85-65 vs. Daemen (11/1/19)
W, 87-64 vs. Missouri Western (1/19/19)
W, 84-59 vs. Winona State (11/10/18)
W, 76-59 vs. Upper Iowa (11/9/18)
W, 100-86 vs. Ferris State (11/4/18)
W, 72-70 vs. Northern State (11/3/18)
W, 74-60 vs. Missouri Western (12/6/17)
W, 71-60 vs. Northern State (11/12/17)
W, 89-65 vs. Upper Iowa (11/10/17)
W, 74-58 vs. Missouri Western (1/28/17)
W, 76-58 vs. Wayne State (11/13/16)
W, 87-52 vs. Upper Iowa (11/11/16)
W, 66-60 vs. Missouri Western (1/9/16)
W, 89-52 vs. Wayne State (11/14/15)

HAWKINS PUTBACK LIFTS NORTHWEST PAST LINCOLN
Senior forward Ryan Hawkins provided the game-winning tip-in with :01 left in Northwest's 76-74 win over Lincoln at Jason Gym.
    Hawkins earned his 23rd career double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds against the Blue Tigers in Jason Gym.
    Hawkins last basket of the game came as he ran the floor and grabbed a missed shot from Trevor Hudgins and laid it in the basket for the game-winner.

SEASON-HIGH IN BOARDS
Northwest ripped down a season-high 45 rebounds against Lincoln.
    The 45 rebounds are the most for the Bearcats since ripping down 46 in a 72-70 win vs. Northern State (11/3/18).
    The 20 offensive rebounds against the Blue Tigers are the most offensive boards for the Bearcats since grabbing 20 in a 75-56 win vs. William Jewell  (11/17/12).

MORE BOARD WORK
Northwest out-rebounded Central Missouri, 42-17, for a +27 rebound margin in its 80-37 victory.
    The +27 rebound margin is the highest for the Bearcats since a +28 performance against Graceland on Dec. 11, 2011 (45-17).

QUITE SIMPLY A ROMP
Northwest's 43-point win over Central Missouri is the second-largest margin of victory for the Bearcats in the all-time series with the Mules. Only a 100-51 Northwest win on Feb. 26, 2002, was a larger margin of victory for the Bearcats.
    The 37 points scored by Central Missouri is the fewest they have scored against Northwest since the Bearcats scored a 42-35 victory in the 1951-52 season.

HUDGINS FROM DOWNTOWN
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.

MIAA TABS HAWKINS AS ATHLETE OF WEEK
Senior forward Ryan Hawkins has been named this week's MIAA men's basketball athlete of the week.
    Hawkins averaged 26.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and shot 62.1% from the field, including 64.7% from three-point range in two Bearcat victories. It marks the fifth time in Hawkins's career he has earned the MIAA's athlete of the week award.
    Hawkins poured in a season-high 30 points Thursday against Newman. Hawkins netted his eighth career 30-point game as he drained 11-of-18 field goals and 5-of-9 from deep vs. the Jets.
    Hawkins secured his 22nd career double-double with a 23-point, 17-rebound effort vs. Central Oklahoma. Hawkins made 7-of-11 field goals including 6-of-8 from three-point range. Hawkins handed out three assists vs. the Bronchos.

HUDGINS SHARES MIAA ATHLETE OF WEEK
Junior point guard Trevor Hudgins has been named the MIAA's men's basketball co-athlete of the week. Hudgins will share this week's award with Washburn's Tyler Geiman.
    It is the second time this season, and sixth time in his career, Hudgins has been honored with the MIAA's top weekly honor.
    Hudgins (Manhattan, Kansas) averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals in helping Northwest extend the nation's longest active road winning streak to 12 in a row.
    Hudgins scored a season-high 29 points and added eight rebounds to go along with four assists in a 64-51 triumph at Fort Hays State. Hudgins tallied eight of his 29 points in the final 2:02 as Northwest closed the game on a 15-2 run. Hudgins was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line.
    Hudgins tallied 12 points, including the final six at the free throw line in the last 2:35 to clinch a road victory at Nebraska-Kearney. Hudgins was credited with five assists and three steals against the Lopers.

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.

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)

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. Northwest continued its regular season MIAA reign in 2020-21 with its eighth straight MIAA crown.
    The Bearcats became the first MIAA program to win five consecutive league tournament titles in 2019-20.

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.