MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Fourth-ranked MSU Moorhead men's basketball kicks off the 2024-25 season in Kansas City, Mo., as part of the Regional Challenge. The Dragons take on Henderson State on Friday at 7 p.m. before wrapping the weekend against Arkansas-Monticello at noon on Sunday. 

Live stats will be available at msumdragons.com. 

Matchup History...The Dragons and Reddies have only met twice all-time with the last tilt coming on November 10, 2017. Henderson State defeated MSUM 93-80 as part of the Regional Challenge in Lancaster, Texas. The only other meeting came at the end of the 1981-82 season as the Reddies topped the Dragons, 70-61, in the second round of the NAIA National Championships. Sunday's meeting with the Weevils will be the first matchup all-time between the two programs. 

Preseason Chatter...MSUM was selected to finish second in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll. The Dragons garnered 183 points and six first-place votes in the initial rankings as reigning Division II national champion Minnesota State topped the poll. Senior guard Jacob Beeninga was named MSUM's 'player to watch' following an All-NSIC First Team season in 2023-24. Beeninga averaged a team-high 16.5 points per game a season ago and was also named an NABC All-District selection. MSUM was tabbed as the fourth-ranked team in the nation per the NABC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

Transfers Land In Moorhead...MSUM added four true freshmen to the 2024-25 troupe, but also saw success in the transfer portal. The Dragons welcome in three NCAA Division I transfers to the fold this season with all three expected to make a large impact. North Dakota State transfer Sam Hastreiter adds lethal sharpshooting ability while former Monmouth guard Jayden Doyle offers up tantilizing size and ability at the position. Levi Birkholz (formerly of The Citadel) boosts MSUM's aggressiveness, both on defense and in attacking the rim. 

You Like Jelly, But We Prefer JaM...The Dragons are excited to bolster JaMir Price within their senior contingent alongside the aforementioned Beeninga. Price is the NSIC's reigning 'Newcomer of the Year' after averaging 14.5 points and four rebounds per game in 2023-24. The Rock Island, Ill., native had six games of 20 or more points last season, all of which resulted in Dragon victories. Price scored a season-best 22 points against Concordia, St. Paul on January 20. 

Clogging The Lane...Junior big man Jacob Jennissen will be looked upon for a bigger role in 2024-25. The 7-foot-1 center played in 31 games for MSUM in 2023-24, primarily in a reserve role. The Sauk Centre, Minn., native led the Dragons with 36 blocked shots last season, including a season-high of six against Minnesota Crookston on January 30. Jennissen has developed a pretty hookshot to his repertoire going into the season as the junior connected on 62.1 percent of his field goals a season ago. 

Kinsey's Cash...Lengthy forward Logan Kinsey returns to the fold in 2023-24 following a season where he netted 11.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, all while making 49.8 percent of his shot attempts. Kinsey's game appears to have expanded over the offseason as the Blaine, Minn., native's jumpshot has improved steadily. Kinsey scored a season-high 22 points against Minot State on December 16. 

Bill And Ed's Excellent Adventure...Both Will Kinsey and Eddie Beeninga will provide valuable moments for MSUM this season. Kinsey (AKA Baseline Billy) is a knockdown three-point shooter while Beeninga is a sparkpkug with his work ethic on both ends of the floor.

Tim Bergstraser starts his third season at the helm of MSUM men's basketball on Friday.