No. 6 UMD men’s basketball talks opening Elite Eight against No. 3 Black Hills St.

For the first time in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) history a school is sending both their men’s and women’s basketball programs to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in the same season.

The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s basketball team will also be making team history making their first-ever appearance in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Preparing to fly out to Evansville, Indiana Sunday the 26-9 sixth seeded Bulldogs are focused on mentally and physically resting up. They’re in for another tough test in third seeded 28-5 Black Hills State University.

“They were in the Elite Eight last year. I think they were an eight seed in the Regional tournament, pulled the upsets, and had a chance to go to the Elite Eight. All those guys are back so they’re a little bit like us where they have the same kind of team they did last year,” UMD head coach Justin Wieck said.

“They won their region, came out as a six seed just like us. They’ve got a really good player, he’s an All-American like 22 points a game so just knowing we’re going to have to guard him best as we can,” junior guard Joshua Brown said.

The Bulldogs will tip-off against Black Hills State on Tuesday, March 21 at Noon in Evansville, Indiana. For the bracket, Click Here.

RELATED STORY: No. 2 UMD women’s basketball tips-off final practice before departing for Elite Eight.