Sanford Pentagon
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Two of the nation's best mid-major men's basketball programs are set to collide on a neutral court in a little less than five months.
One of the first pieces of the NM State men's basketball team's 2020-21 non-conference schedule has been revealed as the Aggies will duke it out with Missouri Valley Conference power Northern Iowa on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
No start time for the inaugural meeting between the Aggies and Panthers has been set as television coverage will determine tip-off time. Tickets will be made available to the public at a later date.
Heading in to 2020-21 riding a 19-game winning streak that stands as the second-longest active run in the nation as well as the third-lengthiest in the history of the program, NM State returns the likes of All-WAC First Team member Jabari Rice (12.8 ppg), All-WAC Newcomer Team member Evan Gilyard II (7.5 ppg) and rising senior Johnny McCants (9.3 ppg) among others. Before their season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Aggies became the first team in the history of the WAC to go a perfect 16-0 in league play and were the favorites to win the 2020 WAC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
Just as the Aggies did in 2019-20, Northern Iowa posted a 25-6 record and picked up some impressive wins over Power Five competition (78-72 over South Carolina on Nov. 27 and 79-76 at #24 Colorado on Dec. 10). It's highly probable the reigning MVC Larry Bird Player of the Year - AJ Green - will be back in UNI colors for the coming campaign as the league's leading scorer (19.7 ppg in 2019-20) declared for the 2020 NBA Draft without hiring an agent, leaving the door open for his return to Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Panthers will also retain the services of rising senior guard Trae Berhow (12.5 ppg) and rising junior forward Austin Phyfe (11.2 ppg) for the coming year.
Opened in September of 2013, the Sanford Pentagon (seating capacity 3,250) is the home of the NBA G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce and has also hosted 28 NCAA Division I college basketball games since opening its doors to the public. The contest between NM State and Northern Iowa is one of two NCAA Division I men's basketball games scheduled to take place at the facility this season as Iowa and Oregon State are set to meet there on Tuesday, Dec. 22.
The Sanford Pentagon has also hosted a variety of NCAA Division II championship events including the men's basketball championships in 2017 and 2018 as well as the women's basketball championships in 2015, 2016 and 2018.
What they're saying about the matchup
Steve Young • Sanford Sports President | "Northern Iowa and New Mexico State are coming off incredible seasons with many of their core players returning, which makes for a great matchup. We are excited to add another Division I game to our schedule and provide these two teams with a safe environment to compete while battling for an important non-conference win on a neutral court."
Ben Jacobson • Head Coach, Northern Iowa | "We are thrilled to be playing New Mexico State at the Pentagon. Scheduling is always a challenge and this game gives us a tremendous opponent in a great venue. New Mexico State has been terrific, they are extremely well-coached, play really hard, and will once again be in the hunt for their championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament. We want to thank everyone who helped put this game together and we look forward to a great game."
Chris Jans • Head Coach, New Mexico State | "We are looking forward to competing against UNI at the Sanford Pentagon. This is an excellent opportunity for us to play a high-caliber program at a great venue. UNI is loaded with talented players and is led by a coaching staff that is considered one of the best in college basketball. The Panthers will likely enter the season as a top-25 program and will be the favorite to win the Missouri Valley Conference. We appreciate the staff at the Pentagon for all they did to make this game happen."
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