LINCOLN, Neb. (January 21st, 2025) - After picking up a gritty 71-59 victory over Coe, Nebraska Wesleyan men's basketball hits the road for a pair of crucial mid-season American Rivers Conference games.

LOCATION, GAME TIME, LIVE STREAM & LIVE STATS
Nebraska Wesleyan will visit Buena Vista on Wednesday, January 22nd, with game time set for 7:30 p.m. Buena Vista will live stream the game and carry live stats. Nebraska Wesleyan will visit Luther on Saturday, January 25th, with game time set for 4:00 p.m. Luther will live stream the game and carry live stats.

ABOUT THE PRAIRIE WOLVES
Nebraska Wesleyan (12-4, 4-1 A-R-C) enters Wednesday night fresh off a 71-59 victory over Coe on Saturday. The Prairie Wolves were led by senior Jack Groeteke who finished the game with 24 points and four rebounds. 

Through 16 games, Nebraska Wesleyan has scored an average of 72.1 points per game. NWU spreads the ball around offensively with four players averaging over nine points per game. The Black and Gold scored their season high 86 points during a January 11th victory over Wartburg. The Prairie Wolf offense plays with confidence, and has shot 42.5% from the floor, while posting a 34.2% clip from beyond the arc. NWU has also been effective at drawing fouls, and shoots 70.8% from the charity stripe. Nebraska Wesleyan prides itself on being physical on the boards and brings down 40.1 rebounds per game. The Prairie Wolves play an unselfish brand of basketball with 223 assists on the season.

The Black and Gold enter Wednesday allowing 65.7 points per game. The Prairie Wolves are extremely active on defense and force an average of 7.6 steals and 5.0 blocks per game. 

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Minutes Per Game: Carter Glenn - 30.4
Shooting Percentage (min. 40 attempts): Andrew Brewer - 52.2%
Points Per Game: Jack Groeteke- 13.3
Three Point Percentage (min 10 attempts): Conner Brown - 42.4%
Made Three Pointers: Jack Groeteke - 24
Free Throw Percentage: Conner Brown- 82.2%
Made Free Throws. Carter Glenn - 54
Rebounds Per Game: Conner Brown - 5.7
Assists: Carter Glenn- 48
Blocks: Jack Groeteke - 39
Steals: Carter Glenn -26

HEAD COACH DALE WELLMAN
Dale Wellman is in 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 boasts an all-time record of 206-72. 

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 BEAVERS
Buena Vista enters this week with a record of (9-7, 4-3 A-R-C). The Beavers score an average of 76.8 points per game, and allow an average of 71.6 points per game. Buena Vista holds a shooting percentage of 44.9, with a 34.1 mark from three. The Beavers shoot 72.9% from the free throw line. The Beavers are led by coach Trevor Johnson, in his sixth season. 

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST BUENA VISTA
Wednesday will mark the 33rd meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Buena Vista. The Prairie Wolves hold a commanding 23-9 all-time series lead.

SCOUTING THE NORSE
Luther enters this week with a record of (1-14, 0-7 A-R-C). Prior to hosting Nebraska Wesleyan, the Norse will travel to Central College on Wednesday, January 22nd. The Norse score an average of 58.3 points per game, and allow an average of 69.8 points per game. Luther holds a shooting percentage of 35.1, with a 27.2 mark from three. The Norse shoot 68.9% from the free throw line. Luther is led by coach Mark Franzen, in his 18th season. 

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST LUTHER COLLEGE
Saturday will mark the 27th meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Luther, with Nebraska Wesleyan holding a dominant 24-2 all-time series lead. The Prairie Wolves defeated the Norse in Lincoln, 69-54, earlier this season.

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