SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Following a 2-1 start to the season, Augustana will now hit the hardwood for the first ever East vs. West Challenge. The two-day event is hosted by the Sanford Pentagon, and will match-up two teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference against two teams from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Augustana head coach Tom Billeter is looking forward to the opportunity to not only play in Sioux Falls, but also the chance for his team to continue to grow. "We are excited to be a part of the first ever East vs. West Challenge," Billeter said, "We are grateful to Sanford for developing the concept and know each year the Challenge will bring out the best in all four teams.  We have great respect for all the teams and coaches and know this is a really fun opportunity not only for our players but the fans of South Dakota basketball."

The Vikings will take on South Dakota School of Mines and Technology on Friday, Nov. 16th at 7:30 p.m., and then head back to Heritage court on Saturday for a 5:30 tip-off with Black Hills State University. Northern State rounds out the four-team showcase this weekend. The Vikings come in at 2-1 (0-0 NSIC), SDSMT is 2-0 (0-0 RMAC), and Black Hills State enters the weekend 0-0 and has yet to play a game.

The story of Augustana's young season is their ability to get legitimate contributions from a core of four phenomenal freshmen. Augustana's Michael Schaefer (15 PPG, 5.7 RPG), A.J. Plitzuweit (10 PPG, 5 Assists), Trevor Hanson (10 PPG), and Dylan LeBrun (7.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG) have all played well beyond their age through three games.

Overall, the Vikings will come into Friday's game with four players averaging double figures, including a team-high 21 points per game from Tyler Riemersma. Riemersma, who is a transfer from DI Navy, is knocking down 62% of his shots, and also leads the team with 7.7 boards per game. Matt Cartwright - one of the three returners from 2017-2018 - is averaging 8.3 points per game, but his ability to allow his teammates to get open is just as impressive.

Although their season is just three games in, Augustana is already showing their ability to play unselfish basketball. The Vikings are averaging 17 assists on 27 made field goals per game, which ranks third in the NSIC. Augustana has also found success in taking care of the basketball. The Vikings 1.68 turnover ratio (52 assists to 31 turnovers) is 3rd in the Northern Sun.

Over the last two seasons, Augustana has ranked in the top two in offensive rebounds per game, and 2018-2019 looks to be no different. The Vikings are second in the NSIC, pulling down 12.7 offensive board per game. The program's +6.3 rebounding margin is 4th in the league.

Over the last five seasons, Augustana is 14-3 (.823) when playing at the Sanford Pentagon.

Scouting South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
A member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Association, the Hardrockers finished 2017-2018 with a 8-19 record and were picked to finish 14th (of 16) in the 2018-2019 RMAC preseason coaches poll.

Two games into the season, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has already surpassed preseason expectations. The Hardrockers have picked up wins over Texas A&M University Kingsville (80-71) and Texas A&M International (68-42).

SDSMT is shooting 46% from the field and has three student-athletes in doubles figures with Jake Heath leading the way at 15.5 points per game. Mitchell Sueker leads the programs with 6 rebounds per game and is also averaging 6 points per game.

Although just 12 of the 16 RMAC teams have hit the hardwood, the SDSMT defense leads the conference allowing just 56.5 points per game. In two games, opponents are shooting just 34% (38/111) against the Hardrockers.

South Dakota Mines head coach Jason Henry is looking forward to this weekends showcase in Sioux Falls. "We are ecstatic to be a part of this wonderful event. The state of South Dakota has some of the top academic and athletic institutions in the country along with exceptional facilities."

Augustana is 12-6 all-time vs. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, including 10 straight wins in the series. The series dates back to 1927, but most recently, the Vikings and Hardrocks matched up in Dec. 2013 with the Vikings rolling to an 82-68 win.

Scouting Black Hills State
With a late start to their season, Black Hills State will officially start their 2018-2019 campaign on Friday night as they take on Northern State at 5:30 p.m.

Black Hills State is coming off a winning season in 2017-18, going 15-12 overall and 12-10 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. In the 2018-2019 RMAC preseason coaches poll, the Yellow Jackets racked up 116 points and were picked to finish 8th overall.

Individually, junior forward Fraser Malcolm was named to the RMAC Preseason Team. Malcolm returns to the Yellow Jackets after leading BHSU in scoring and rebounding last year. He averaged 14.2 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game en route to being named to the All-RMAC Second Team.

Black Hills State's head coach Ryan Thompson is ready for the challenge that the showcase will bring. "With the East vs. West Challenge, we get the opportunity to test ourselves early against two of the top DII programs in the nation with Augustana and Northern State."

Augustana and BHSU first played in 1925, but have only tipped-off 18 times since then. Augustana holds a 13-6 advantage, but the Yellow Jackets won the most recent matchup, an 83-67 decision in November of 2013.

Full schedule of the East vs. West Challenge:
5:30 PM: Northern State vs. Black Hills State
7:30 PM: Augustana vs. SD School of Mines & Technology
3:30 PM: Northern State vs. SD School of Mines & Technology
5:30 PM: Augustana vs. Black Hills State  
 
The Fastbreak:

• This weekend will mark the first-ever East vs. West Challenge. The four-team showcase is set to rotate venue locations over the next three season.
• Starting with the 2014-2015 season, Augustana is 14-3 (.823) when playing at the Sanford Pentagon.
• Tuesday vs. Chadron State, the Vikings scored a season-high 83 points. Through three games this year Augustana is shooting 44% from the field and averaging 78.3 points per game.  
• In Tuesday's win, for the first time all season, the Vikings saw five players reach double figures.
• The Vikings are averaging 17 assists on 27 made field goal per game, which ranks third in the NSIC. The Vikings 1.68 turnover ratio (52 assists to 31 turnovers) is 3rd in the Northern Sun.
• The Vikings are second in the NSIC in offensive rebounds, pulling down 12.7 boards per game. The programs +6.3 rebounding margin is 4th in the league.
• Tyler Riemersma leads the team with 21 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
• Augustana has four true freshmen, Michael Schaefer (15 PPG, 5.7 RPG), A.J. Plitzuweit (10 PPG, 5 Assists), Trevor Hanson (10 PPG), and Dylan LeBrun (7.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG) all making significant contributions.
• Over the last five years, Augustana men's basketball has won nearly 80% of their games, going 108-30.
• With a record of 289-167 in 16 seasons at Augustana, Tom Billeter is Augustana's all-time winningest men's basketball coach.
• Billeter led Augustana to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including five trips in the last seven seasons.
• On this year's roster, the Vikings have five true freshmen, two transfers, and 10 of 16 student-athletes have never played together.
• All three of the freshmen from South Dakota on the roster - Dylan LeBrun, A.J. Plitzuweit and Trevor Hanson - were members of the 2017 class 'A' All-State First Team.
• Augustana made at least one 3-point field goal in each of the last 429 games. The last time the Vikings did not make a 3-pointer came on Jan. 24, 2004, a 79-69 loss against North Dakota in the Elmen Center.
• The Vikings finished 16-14 last year, locking in their 12th straight winning season.
• In the 2018-2019 NSIC preseason poll, the Vikings received 127 points and were picked to finished seventh overall.
• The Vikings have now won four of their last five season openers. The last loss came in the opening game of the 2015-2016 season when the Vikings went on to finish 34-2 and win the DII National Championship.
• Augustana men's basketball has played 2,172 games in school history, and the program all-time record is 1,079-1,095 (.496).