LINCOLN, Neb. (November 8th, 2024) - Nebraska Wesleyan men's basketball is set to open its 2024-25 season with a pair of games at the Wisconsin-Eau Claire Tip Off Classic this weekend.

WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE TIP OFF CLASSIC INFORMATION
Nebraska Wesleyan will face the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Saturday, November 9th, at 7:30 p.m., before taking on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on Sunday, November, 10th, at 2:30 p.m. UW-Eau Claire will live stream both games and carry live stats. The official tournament web page can be found here.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the UW-Eau Claire Tip Off Classic can be found here. 

SCOUTING THE PRAIRIE WOLVES
Nebraska Wesleyan returns 11 players from a team that won the A-R-C regular season title, and advanced to the Elite Eight. This includes three starters: Jack Groeteke, Carter Glenn, and Conner Brown. The trio combined to average 33.7 points per game. As a team, the Prairie Wolves averaged 75.8 points per game in 2023, and allowed 66.6 points per game. 

HEAD COACH DALE WELLMAN PROFILE
Dale Wellman enters his 11th season as the head coach of Nebraska Wesleyan Men's Basketball, having led the Prairie Wolves to numerous accomplishments, including a national championship in 2018. Under his guidance, the program has seen five A-R-C Regular Season titles and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Wellman is confident that the 2024-25 team has the depth and talent to compete at the highest level once again.

CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE
Nebraska Wesleyan boasts a history of basketball excellence. Winning the national championship in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 1997, the Prairie Wolves have made five NCAA Division III Final Fours, appeared in 18 NCAA Division III tournaments, and won 16 conference championships. 

SCOUTING THE BLUGOLDS

• UW-Eau Claire went 12-13 in 2023. 
• The Blugolds averaged 74.4 points per game and allowed 72.3 points per game in 2023.
• UW-Eau Claire is led by first year coach Zach Malvik.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST UW-EAU CLAIRE
Saturday will mark the second meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Blugolds won the only prior match up 72-56, on November 19th, 2021.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES

• UW-La Crosse went 14-12 in 2023. 
• The Eagles averaged 76.9 points per game and allowed 72.4 points per game in 2023.
• UW-La Crosse is led by second year coach JT Gritzmacher.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST UW-LA CROSSE
Sunday will mark the first meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Wisconsin-La Crosse.