MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball is set to embark on the 2026-27 season this week beginning with exhibition action. The Dragons will travel across the Red River to battle North Dakota State on Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. inside SCHEELS Center at Sanford Health Athletic Complex. 

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. The game will also be broadcast on linear television on WDAY Xtra. Fans can listen to the contest on AM 1660/FM 92.7.

Matchup History... Last season was the second time the two programs have met since the 2012 season. North Dakota State commanded action from the jump, defeating the Dragons, 101-69. Before the 2024-25 season, MSUM and NDSU last faced off on November 3, 2012, an overtime exhibition win for NDSU. The Dragons bested the Bison the year prior in a 90-84 double overtime barnburner. The two programs have not played a regular season contest against one another since December 13, 2003 when the Dragons upended the Bison, 83-72, inside Nemzek Fieldhouse. North Dakota State holds the official series record, having won 87 matchups to MSUM's 33. The first meeting between the schools came on January 8, 1908 when the North Dakota Agricultural College defeated the Moorhead Normal School,  45-12.

Preseason Buzz...MSUM was selected to finish eighth in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll behind 140 points. Additionally, Moorhead was selected to finish second in the North Division with 42 points and a first-place vote. Minnesota State topped the overall poll while Minnesota Duluth was predicted to win the North Division.

Coach Speak...Head coach Jason Kemp had this to say regarding his 2026-27 outfit. "We have a very tall roster positionally. Our size and skill will provide great advantages for us on both ends. We have very few players with one year on our roster, so there is more stability in our program and we can improve through development."

A Player To Watch...Sophomore guard Isa El-Amin was tabbed as MSUM's preseason 'Player To Watch'. The recognition comes after El-Amin earned All-NSIC Second Team honors in 2025-26. The Minnetonka, Minn., native led the Dragons in total points (443), points per game (14.8), assists (106) and steals (38) during the season. El-Amin shot 43.4 percent from the floor on the year while also connecting on a team-high 56 three-pointers. He scored a season-high 28 points against Minnesota Duluth on December 6, 2025. 

More Coach Speak...Kemp added this aboout his sophomore point guard. "Isa , former State Champion at Minnetonka High School, had a phenomenal freshman year for us in 25-25. His leadership and production were evident as he earned all-conference recognition. What goes unnoticed is the type of leader he grew to become throughout the year. His loyalty to our programs is clear, and I am excited to see him continue to grow in year two."

New Faces...While the Dragons are set to return five players in El-Amin, Tysen Gerads, Adam Jenkins, Sam Hondl and Levi Birkholz, the roster is made up of numerous new faces. The transfer group is led by upperclassmen Ja'Quez Thornton, Nashawn Holmes, Kayden Nation and Kevin Anthony. Nation and Anthony come to Moorhead after stints at NCAA Division I institutions in 2025-26. The Dragons also bolster an incredibly talented freshmen class in Lincoln Rogers, Garrett Nissley, Kai Holmes, Donovan Williams and big man Thijs Braam. 

Talking Herd...North Dakota State was selected to win the Summit League following an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025-26. Junior guard Andy Stefonowicz was an All-Summit League Honorable Mention as season ago. 

Jason Kemp is in his second season as MSUM's head men's basketball coach.