Midwestern State vs. Western State Colorado
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2014 | 4 p.m.
Massari Arena | Pueblo, Colorado
2013-14 Records: Midwestern State (24-8); Western State (3-23)
Video: americaonesports.com 
Audio: MSUMustangs.com
Live Stats: gothunderwolves.com

Midwestern State vs. Colorado State-Pueblo
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 | 8 p.m.
Massari Arena | Pueblo, Colorado
2013-14 Records: Midwestern State (24-8); Colorado State-Pueblo (15-12)
Video: americaonesports.com 
Audio: Fox Sports Pueblo   
Live Stats: gothunderwolves.com 
 
ON THE COURT
Midwestern State opens the 2014-15 regular season at the Al Kaly Shrine Classic at the Massari Arena on the campus of Colorado State University-Pueblo. The Mustangs will face the Western State Mountaineers on Friday at 4 p.m. before playing the host CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves on Staurday at 8 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE MOUNTAINEERS
- Western State returns two starters from last year's 3-23 squad.
- Senior Mason Biddle (Guard, 6-1, 175 Riverside, Calif.) leads the Mountaineers scoring at 12.0 p.p.g while senior  Ben Schmidt (Guard, 6-3, 180 Windsor, Colo.) brings back a .407 3-point average from 2013-14.
- Western State's front court is paced by Devin Kastrup (Forward, 6-8, 210, Colorado Springs, Colo.) and transfer C.J. Schutt (Forward, 6-6, 250, Aurora University).
- Brad Schafer begins his first year at the helm of the Mountaineers program. He was the head coach at Black Hills State University for the previous eight years.
 
ABOUT THE SERIES
- Midwestern State and Western State Colorado meet for the first time Friday afternoon at Masari Arena.
 
ABOUT THE THUNDERWOLVES
- CSU-Pueblo returns two starters from last year's 15-12 team.
- Julian Caldwell (Guard, 6-4, 195, El Camino JC) returns 13.6 p.p.g. in 34 minutes per contest for the Thuderwolves. Devonte Malcolm (Guard, 6-1, 180, Trinidad JC) brings back 9.0 p.p.g. for CSU-Pueblo.
- Also contributing for the Thunderwolves is Jed Knafelc (Guard, 11.0 p.p.g.), Tyrone Marshall (Center, 9.8 p.p.g., 4.6 r.p.g.), and junior transfer Bronson Moton (Forward, Northeastern JC)
- Ralph Turner returns to the bench for the Thunderwolves, bringing a 43-39 record in three years at CSU-Pueblo.

ABOUT THE SERIES
- Midwestern State and Colorado State-Pueblo meet for the third time Saturday night at Masari Arena.
- The teams split the previous two meetings with the Mustangs claiming a 70-56 win on Nov. 19, 2011 while the Thunderwolves edged MSU 72-69 on Nov. 17, 2012. Both games were played as part of the Al Kaly Shriner's Classic.
- MSU and CSU-P played later this month in Wichita Falls.

LAST TIME OUT
The Mustangs defeated the Oklahoma City University Stars 112-82 in an exhibition match at Ligon Coliseum on November 12, 2014. Bretson McNeal led MSU in scoring with 23 points.

MUSTANGS NOTEBOOK
- Midwestern State returns eight players from the 2013-14 season, and all eight were key components to the Mustangs' 24-8 NCAA Sweet 16 run.
- Senior guard Derrell Gibbs (Wichita Falls, Texas / Burkburnett HS), senior guard Kevin Wagner (Lubbock, Texas / Estacado HS (McLennan CC)) and Sporting News Pre-Season All-American, Xavier Blackburn (Verdunville, La. / St. Thomas More HS (North Dakota State Science)) headline the returning Mustangs at the guard position.
- Senior forward Abiodun Adegoke (Buford, Ga. / Mill Creek HS (Western Texas)), senior forward Tavarion Nix (Havelock, N.C. / Havelock HS (Redlands CC)), and junior forward DeVaughn Jones (District Heights, Md. / Roosevelt HS (Lackawanna College)) will give the Mustangs size and stability in the low post.
- Key reserves Pat Smith (Houston, Texas / Jones HS) and Nick Powell (Henrietta, Texas / Henrietta HS) will also bring toughness and experience after being a solid part of the Mustang's past seasons.
- Redshirt-freshman guard Devante Pullum (Little Elm, Texas / Little Elm HS) has utilized his first year well and is poised to step right into a large role at the point guard position.
- Blackburn will bring the Mustangs both scoring and rebounding advantages as he lead the Lone Star Conference in rebounding during conference competitions with 9.3 boards per contest.
- The returning Mustangs are joined by a talented group of transfers including junior guard Hershell Grant (Washington, D.C. / Roosevelt HS (Clarendon College)), junior point guard Danny Lawhorn (Hartford, Conn. / South Kent HS (Washington State)), junior guard Bretson McNeal (Minneapolis, Minn. / DeLaSalle HS (North Dakota State Science)), senior guard Thaddeus Rideau (Port Arthur, Texas / East Ascension HS (UAB)), sophomore forward Trevor Fuller (Dallas, Texas / Episcopal School (San Diego)), junior forward Khapri Alston (Chicago, Ill. / Thornwood HS (Northeast CC (Neb.))), junior forward Alassane Ka (Dakar, Senegal / Groupe Scolaire (Hillsborough CC (Fla.))).
 
THE HAGGERTY ERA
- Nelson Haggerty enters his fourth season at the helm for Midwestern State as one of the top young coaches in college basketball.
- Haggerty boasts a 75-21 mark (.781) leading the Mustangs to Lone Star Conference championships in each of his three seasons as head coach.
- Haggerty earned NABC South Central Region and Lone Star Conference coach of the year honors in his rookie season of 2011-12 piloting the Mustangs to their third consecutive Elite Eight showing.
- With Haggerty on the bench (including two seasons as top assistant), MSU has advanced to three Elite Eights (2010, 2011, 2012) and to the NCAA Division II postseason five consecutive years.
 
UP NEXT
- The Mustangs return home after the AL Kaly Classic to host Science and Arts (Okla.) at Ligon Coliseum. The tip-off against the Drovers is set for 7 p.m.