Viking Men’s Basketball Conference Play January 10

The Valley City State University basketball teams begin conference play this weekend, hosting Dakota State and Bellevue University to tip off a 12-game conference schedule.

VCSU’s North Star Athletic Association conference opener is Friday night against Dakota State. VCSU’s women host the No. 21-ranked Trojan women at 5:30 p.m. The men’s game follows at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the Vikings host Bellevue at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Radio coverage will be on KOVC 1490 AM/96.3 FM and online at www.newsdakota.com. VCSU will produce live video and live stats at the links below.

LIVE LINKS
FRIDAY – WOMEN:VIDEO  |  RADIO  |  STATS
FRIDAY – MEN:VIDEO  |  RADIO  |  STATS
SATURDAY – WOMEN: VIDEO  |  RADIO  |  STATS
SATURDAY – MEN:VIDEO  |  RADIO  |  STATS

WEEKEND EVENTS
This weekend’s conference openers will feature several extra events surrounding the basketball games.

The VCSU Athletic Pep Band will be playing at Friday’s games, and Just for Kix dancers will perform at halftime of the women’s game. Century Club members are invited to partake in “tablegating” at halftimes and between games on both Friday and Saturday. In cooperation with the VCSU Foundation, the Valley City Eagles Club has made plans to keep its kitchen open until 10:30 p.m. and will have karaoke after Friday night’s games.

On Saturday, VCSU women’s basketball alumni have been invited back to campus for an Alumni Appreciation Game

WEEKEND OUTLOOK
Valley City State’s men are currently 8-6 this season. The Vikings were picked to finish 4^th in the conference preseason poll released in October. Mayville State was favored to win the conference title and is currently 12-3 overall – the best record in the NSAA – although nine of those wins have come against non-NAIA teams.

Dakota State’s men are currently 10-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Trojans started conference play last weekend, losing a tight 69-68 game against Bellevue University. Bellevue is currently 6-11 overall and 1-0 in the conference.

Valley City State’s men are 6-4 against Dakota State over the last 10 matchups, including a 93-74 win the last meeting. The Vikings are 3-7 against Bellevue over that same stretch but have won the last two meetings, including a 72-54 win in the playoffs last season.

On the women’s side, Valley City State is 6-8 overall this season. October’s preseason poll had the Vikings picked to finish 5^th in the conference. Dakota State was favored to win the NSAA and the Trojans have so far lived up to the hype, posting a 13-4 overall record and a No. 13 national ranking.

Dakota State opened the conference season with a 66-41 win over Bellevue University last weekend. Bellevue is currently 7-9 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

2023-24 Men’s Basketball Standings

2023-24 Women’s Basketball Standings