Lincoln, NE - After a lengthy break, Nebraska Wesleyan men's basketball will return to the court with games against Howard Payne and Wartburg this week.

GAME TIME, LOCATION, LIVE STREAM & LIVE STATS
Nebraska Wesleyan and Howard Payne will tip off at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 30th at Snyder Arena, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Wesleyan will live stream the game and carry live stats. NWU will play its first game of 2026 on Saturday, January 3rd at Wartburg. The game is set for a 4:00 p.m. tip from Levick Arena, in Waverly, Iowa. Wartburg will live stream the game and carry live stats. 

ABOUT NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
Nebraska Wesleyan is riding high from a resounding 74-64 victory over Colorado College in their last game. Overall NWU sits at 8-3 and has won six straight games, which includes an unblemished 3-0 record in American Rivers Conference play. The Prairie Wolves average 71.5 points per game and have eclipsed 70 points in seven of their 11 games. NWU shoots 42.6% from the floor, 36.8% from three point range, and 64.8% from the free throw line. As a team, NWU has knocked down 118 three pointers, grabbed 124 offensive rebounds and dished out 175 assists. Defensively, the Black and Gold allow 66.4 points per game, while posting 215 rebounds, pocketing 112 steals, and blocking 27 shots. Individually, Nick Howard has emerged as the team's leading scorer, averaging 14.4 points per game, while proving to be a force defensively with 11 blocked shots. Senior Seth Newton proves to be a force in all phases of the game, leading the team in made three pointers (22), total rebounds (79) and steals (22). Christian Winn is another key weapon to NWU's attack, averaging 11.1 points per game and distributing 35 assists.

HEAD COACH DALE WELLMAN
Dale Wellman is in his 12th 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 223-78. 

FIRST TO 70
70 points has proven to be a key number for Nebraska Wesleyan in 2025. The Prairie Wolves are 6-1 when scoring 70 or more points in a game and a perfect 8-0 when allowing 70 or less points in a game. 

HOWARD HYPE
Through 11 games, senior Nick Howard is off to a career best start in a variety of offensive and defensive categories. Offensively, Howard is averaging 14.4 points per game, up from 5.9 points per game a season ago. Additionally, Howard has improved from 3.3 to 4.8 rebounds per game, and gone from 0.6 to 1.7 assists per game. Defensively, Howard has posted 11 blocks in 11 games, after posting 22 blocks in 27 games last season.

SCOUTING HOWARD PAYNE
Howard Payne enters this week 10-3 and will face Buena Vista on Monday, December 29th at 4:00 p.m. Through 13 games, the Yellow Jackets have averaged 98.5 points per game and shoot at a blistering 49% mark from the floor. Defensively, Howard Payne allows 91.5 points per game. The Yellow Jackets are led by Nadir Dalleh, in his fifth season.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST HOWARD PAYNE
Tuesday marks the second meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Howard Payne. The Prairie Wolves lead the all-time series 1-0.

SCOUTING WARTBURG
Wartburg enters this week 9-2, and has won back to back games by 20 or more points. Prior to facing NWU, Wartburg will take on Cornell College on Wednesday, December 31st. The Knights average 87.1 points per game and allow 74.5 points per game. The Knights are led by Sam Leal, in his second season.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST WARTBURG
Saturday marks the 25th meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Wartburg. The Prairie Wolves lead the all-time series 16-8.