North Dakota
‘Bama Basketball Breakdown: North Dakota will play all-out in Grant Nelson’s homecoming
Alabama traveling to Grand Forks, North Dakota was obviously a nice gesture by the staff to Grant Nelson — seven states and 1400 miles away, it’s hard for friends and family to come to Tuscaloosa, much less keep track with the peripatetic Tide.
That is likely where the interest begins and ends. Nelson’s homecoming, in front of about 3000 people, will pique many emotions for the hometown favorite. But the game itself is a mismatch that should probably land Alabama in the Hague for war crimes: On the floor, it’s going to be a slaughter.
Tale of the Tape: North Dakota (No. 303, 4-8) vs Alabama (No. 7, 8-2)
Spread (Totals): Alabama -23.5 (O/U 163.5)
Opponent KenPom: 303 (224 offense, 345 defense, 160 tempo)
Opponent Evan Miya: 309 (236 offense, 339 defense, 187 tempo)
Opponent Bart Torvik: 304 (240 offense, 331 defense, 187 tempo)
Opponent NET: N/R (Q4)
Opponent Best Win: N/A
Opponent Worst Loss: N/A
Alabama KenPom: 8th (6 Off, 36th Defense, 8th Tempo)
Evan Miya: 7th (3 Off, 17th Defense, 2nd Tempo)
Bart Torvik: 7 (3 Off, 27th Defense, 7th Tempo)
NET Ranking: 10 (3-2 Q1)
Best Win: No. 4 (N) Houston
Worst Loss: No. 28 at Purdue
It’s hard to write about Grant Nelson’s old team, the Fightin’ Hawks of UND, in any engaging fashion.
It’s a bad team, and a particularly bad offensive one. If you want to say something nice about UND, it’s that they have occasionally punched well outside of their weight class, scoring nice upset wins over Utah Valley, Loyola Marymount, and Weber State — all between 180 and 210 in KenPom. If they can get you playing their patient basketball, and keep things in the 70s, they’ve bought themselves a punchers chance at home.
And that should tell you what the strength of this group is, grading on a curve: a defense that has occasionally outpaced their expected performance (sitting at 161st based on adjusted schedule). In their four wins, the Hawks have won the battle for the paint, and in three of those, UND had more free throws than their opponents.
The first thing you have to know about UND is that they are a very streaky team. It’s rare for many guys to have good nights simultaneously; rather, the M.O. is one or two players going on a tear with the rest of the bench having an average night. This lack of consistent, multiple scoring options has cost UND several close games already this year. That is reflected in their shoot too. This is a terrible team from the floor, shooting just 45% (329), and are an even worse one from the perimeter (28.5%). In fact, there’s not a single player on the entire roster who you’d call a three-point specialist.
As you would expect in the Northern Plains, they’re a tall team, on average — especially for a Summit bottom-feeder, averaging close to 6’6”. But there’s no dominant big. The closest approximation to the usual “Giant White Midwest Guy in the Post” is 6’9” Amar Kuljuhovic. He is the second-leading scorer for the Hawks (12) and their leading rebounder (7). He’s not a great rim defender, is a pretty poor shooter for a big (54%), and turns it over a lot — though he does play reasonably good defense on the interior and hustles.
It’s a balanced scoring bunch, with four of five starters all averaging at 10+ a night, but the star of the show is Jr. PG Treysen Eaglestaff. The local kid is a huge point guard, standing at 6’6” and leads the Hawks in both points (18) and assists. Dariyus Woodson mans the SF spot, and is a very effective rebounder for a wingman. He’s also shown some flashes the last few games from beyond the arc.
Off the bench, 6’10” Brian Mathews is the best defender and street-sweeper (he actually leads UND in rebounds per possession). He’s an inconsistent scorer, but when given the chance to eat, the Hawks will feed him down low. Eli King will probably get more minutes in this one. He’s the first man off the bench to spell the starting backcourt, and is the most effective defender. He’s not the scorer that Eaglestaff or Panoam are, but he’s that mythical spark plug that does a lot of the dirty work.
UND does throw an unusual look at you too: Kuljuhovic at the forward-center spot, joined by a swing, and then a trio of true guards — and sometimes even four guards and a swing look. You would be tempted to call it a “small lineup,” except for the fact that have a dozen of their guards go 6’4”+. And, of the starters, the “small” shooting guard, Mier Panoam, is still 6’2”. That size is probably why the 75% of the starting backcourt average between four and six rebounds a night as part of UND’s team approach (we saw Creighton attempt the same).
Without an impact post presence, UND has to manufacture their second-chances with a group effort in crashing the glass. It pays off, as this is easily one of the best offensive rebounding teams that ‘Bama has faced (36th). But, again, without that big man, they tend to get clobbered on the defensive glass.
So, the Hawks would prefer to win with selectivity and keep their fortunes out of the hands of opposing bigs. They want a good look the first time on offense, and defensively they focus their efforts with on-ball defense. As you would expect with this sort of approach, NoDak out of necessity plays a deliberative, slower-paced game than the Tide is accustomed to seeing from more talented teams. But when it works, they can be quite competitive against most T3 / T4 teams.
Still, let’s not be under any illusion here either: this is not only an objectively bad team (4-8), it’s statistically bad, and easily the worst team Alabama has played in several seasons (IIRC, Alabama had a similar game in Coleman back in 2021). Will this likely be a laugher? You bet. The worst squad ‘Bama has faced to-date, No. 177 Asheville, was doubled up 110-54 by the Tide. And, if Alabama wants to keep the pressure up here, or starts hitting some perimeter shots, the Tide can probably name their score.
Bottom Line
This is going to be an exhibition for the Tide, a chance to shoot themselves out of their funk, valuable playing time for Mallette and Youngblood, and above all, a reward for Grant Nelson. But it’s not just a homecoming for Nelson, it’s also meaningful to the Hawks. Half of their roster are from North Dakota. They will give every bit of effort they have. It’s not a poorly coached team at all; it’s just a team short on impactful talent.
At the end of the day, you can’t help but think that Nate Oats will work on cleaning up ‘Bama’s turnovers and shooting, and give all of those bench players tons of quality playing time on the road. Confidence is necessary with SEC play starting in just two weeks.
How To Watch
8:00 Central on SEC CBS Sports Network
Prediction
Nate Oats is not noted for his merciful nature. Not that he would ask guys like Derrion Reid or Houston Mallette or Aiden Sherrell to take their foot off the gas when they finally get to log substantial minutes.
Alabama can and probably will name their score here. The Tide interior game, and pace of play, is just going to be way too much for the Hawks to even come close to matching.
Alabama 106
North Dakota 58
Hope for the best.
Roll Tide.
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How will Grant Nelson do in his homecoming?
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He’ll have his usual solid night.
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He’s going to be trying too hard and will play tight, resulting in a bad night.
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MINOT, N.D. — Tom Berry Jr. capitalized on late-race misfortune for Ethan Braaksma and survived a frantic restart battle to win the opening round of the 2026 Dakota Classic Modified Tour powered by Industrial Electric Sunday night at Nodak Speedway.
Braaksma, the two-time defending tour champion from Iowa, quickly established himself as the driver to beat in the 30-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature.
Driving for car owners Danny Meier and Trent Guest, he led from the outset while Wyoming’s Bart Taylor steadily reeled him in during the opening half of the race. Taylor made several bids for the lead, but Braaksma turned each one away before gradually extending his advantage.
Everything changed with seven laps remaining, as Braaksma suffered a flat tire while comfortably out front, bringing out the caution. Taylor inherited the lead, but the restart produced a thrilling three-wide battle as Taylor, 2022 Wisconsin state champion Jayden Schmidt and two-time tour champion Berry all fought for the top spot.
The two-time series champion and 2020 National title winner, Berry, edged ahead at the stripe to lead lap 25, then quickly opened a comfortable advantage over the remaining laps.
Starting eighth in the Mike Wedelstadt-owned No. 11X, the Marshalltown, Iowa, driver, originally from Medford, Ore., earned his 11th career Dakota Tour victory and third tour triumph at Nodak Speedway. It marked his fifth Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season at five different tracks.
The feature also served as a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, although Berry had already secured eligibility to attempt to qualify for the event earlier in the year.
Cole Czarneski, the 2026 Clash at the Creek winner from Wisconsin, charged from a B Feature transfer to start 15th before rallying to finish second and earn hard charger honors. Schmidt completed the podium, Tanner Black, originally from Arizona and now racing out of Kansas, finished fourth, and two-time Nodak Speedway track champion Travis Hagen advanced from 10th to fifth.
Fifty-three IMCA Modifieds were on hand for the event.
Brock Beeter turned away late challenges from Kyle Scholpp and Jonny Carter to capture his first career Dakota Classic Tour victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars.
The newly crowned Nodak Speedway champion wasted little time taking command and quickly built a comfortable advantage before an early caution erased his lead.
Beeter again pulled away on the restart while the battle for second intensified behind him. Defending North Dakota Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod state champion Gabriel Deschamp climbed into the runner-up position on lap 16 and began chasing the leader before another caution with five laps remaining tightened the field and set up a thrilling finish.
Carter fought to Beeter’s inside while 2025 Estevan Motor Speedway champion Kyle Scholpp charged around the cushion. Despite pressure from both challengers over the closing laps, Beeter never wavered, holding them off to score the victory.
The Minot driver earned his fourth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season, with two of those wins coming at Nodak Speedway.
The feature was also served as a qualifier for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, to be held during the IMCA Super Nationals. With the victory, Beeter became eligible to attempt to qualify for the event in September.
Scholpp nipped Carter for second at the finish, while 2023 Dakota Tour champion Rob Van Mil crossed the line fourth. Deschamp recovered to finish fifth after starting 14th.
Defending Boone Speedway champion Johnathon Logue raced from a B Feature transfer, starting 22nd before advancing to 12th to earn hard charger honors.
Forty-two IMCA Stock Cars signed in on the registration sheets.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV.
LAMBERT — Corey Polkowske of Absarokee amassed 160 rushing yards and scored three times as Montana defeated North Dakota 65-13 late Saturday in the 2nd Mon-Dak 6-Man all-star game at the Lambert Sports Complex.
Related: Team USA shuts out Canada for 5th consecutive Can-Am 6-Man All-Star Game win
Polkowske was named Montana’s offensive MVP as the Treasure Staters beat North Dakota for the second consecutive year in what was part of a Fourth of July celebration.
Related: 6-Man All-Stars: Big 2nd half propels Blue past Red 72-46
Marshall Hull of Absarokee returned three interceptions for touchdowns to spearhead Montana’s defensive effort. Curtis Mullin of Richey-Lambert was named the team’s defensive MVP for the game.
The offensive MVP for North Dakota was Jaydon Champion of Alexander, and the defensive MVP was Ian Slater from Trenton.
GRAND FORKS — If all goes according to plan, Cole Reschny will sign with the Calgary Flames at the end of the 2026-27 season and begin his pro career.
But Reschny made it clear to everyone in Calgary that he intends to do one thing this year at UND — win a national championship.
Reschny repeatedly mentioned his desire to bring a national title back to Grand Forks during his media availability at Calgary’s development camp last week.
“I think one more good year at North Dakota to help me develop as a player, as a person, off the ice, with my body in the gym and nutrition-wise,” Reschny said about his timeline to turn pro. “That’s the goal: hopefully win a national championship, then make the jump at the end of the year and hopefully get a couple (NHL) games in and get that experience.”
UND lost 2-1 to Wisconsin in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals last season in Las Vegas.
After the game, Reschny said the program’s standard should be Frozen Fours, and that he was driven to finish it off in 2027 in Washington, D.C.
“College hockey is getting very strong,” Reschny said. “There are some powerhouse teams. You see Michigan, you see Michigan State, Denver obviously, us, Minnesota Duluth is coming. It’s going to be a grind. Whoever comes out on top, it’s going to be tough. But I think we’ve got the team to do it. It’s always tough in those one-off games but that’s college hockey and you’ve got to play it. But I think we’ve got a very good shot ourselves.”
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
Reschny had a strong freshman season at UND, scoring six goals and tallying 35 points in 36 games. He was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Rookie of the Year.
Reschny said there were some growing pains early in the season, coming from Victoria of the Western Hockey League.
“The first month was hard,” Reschny said. “You don’t realize how hard college hockey is until you’re playing it. You go from playing 16- to 20-year-olds to… there are 24-year-olds out there. I think the time and space was the biggest thing. No one takes a shift off. Every night is going to be hard. You’ve got to grind it out and find a way. But that was very good for my game. I’m not the biggest guy but I play strong and play hard. So, just learning to play against those bigger guys, putting my time in the gym, nutrition-wise, too. We’re very lucky at North Dakota. I used that to my advantage.
“It was very good having Dane Jackson as my head coach. He’s played pro. He understands. It was a good year, we had a good group around us. We just fell short, so hopefully we can do it this year.
A Calgary media member asked Reschny why players coming out of North Dakota always talk about how special it is.
“We’re so lucky there with the facilities, the people, the environment,” Reschny said. “Every day it’s so fun to go to the rink and just try to get better and push each other on the ice, in the weight room and we’re always battling with little things, too. The ice is always available for us. We’re always going out, playing games, shooting pucks, doing things like that. The environment, the culture, the rich history, the pride of the program and the facilities are second to none. It’s a special place to be. I’m very excited to go back there another year. I think we’ve got an extremely good team again, so it will be good.”
One of the players UND is adding to its roster also was at Calgary Flames development camp.
Carson Carels, the No. 6 overall draft pick, is slated to be a freshman defenseman.
“I think UND is going to shape me to be a more complete player and continue my maturity as a player,” Carels said. “I think it’s going to be a good step and I’m really happy going there.”
Carels was asked if there’s temptation to sign an NHL deal right away and try to make Calgary’s roster.
“There’s obviously temptation to hop in this,” Carels said, “but in the long run, you don’t want a five-year career. You want to get to the 15- or 20-year mark. I think that extra year of college is going to set my body right and set my mind right for a longer career.”
Leighton Chamblee / UND athletics
Carels and Reschny were teammates at the World Junior Championship last year in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
“We’ve played together a lot,” Carels said. “I think we’re going to play together for a long time, just going to North Dakota, and then, obviously, hoping to play on the Flames together as well. We’re going to have a long relationship and hopefully a long career together as well.”
Reschny also had high praise for Carels.
“Very, very, extremely good player but he’s even better off the ice,” Reschny said. “He’s so easy to talk to, to get along with. He understands the game. He understands what it takes. Being around a guy like that is huge. You push each other. Any time you get a chance to add a guy like that to your team, it’s great.
“He’s going to be huge for us. He’s going to play a lot of minutes this year. Just having him come in, alongside (Keaton) Verhoeff, they’re going to be two young D-men, but they’re going to be very big and play a lot of minutes for us. It will be big and it’s exciting. We’ve got a good team this year and I think we can go for it.”
Reschny said he watched the NHL Draft a couple of weeks ago and saw Carels go No. 6 and Verhoeff go No. 9 to the San Jose Sharks.
“It’s exciting,” Reschny said. “You obviously have buddies in the draft. I lived with Verhoeff all year and played with him the last few years. It’s exciting to see guys like that. I know Cars, too. It’s great. You play with guys like that at World Juniors, big tournaments like that. To see him come this way was very exciting. . . a D-man like that, of his caliber, it’s very exciting. This is a group that’s coming up.”
Their next stop is Grand Forks.
Players will begin gathering this week to go through voluntary offseason workouts together.
Carels said there were a few reasons why he chose to spend this season at UND.
“One thing that stands out is how close it is to home,” said Carels, who grew up on a Manitoba farm. “It’s only two-and-a-half hours away and that’s awesome. I haven’t really played that close to home in a long time. Getting family down there would be awesome. But I think it’s more about the people and the organization as well. When I went down there, it felt like home. It felt like it did in Prince George. It’s going to be a second home. That’s what jumped out to me.”
James Doyle / Prince George Cougars
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