The Wayne State College men's basketball team hosts the NSIC/GAC Challenge this weekend in Rice Auditorium to open the 2022-23 season.  A pair of 20-win teams from the Great American Conference along with preseason #21 nationally ranked MSU Moorhead join the Wildcats for four games Friday and Saturday.  Friday's schedule features Wayne State battling Southeastern Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. followed by #21 MSU Moorhead vs. Oklahoma Baptist at 8 p.m. and Saturday's slate finds MSU Moorhead facing Southeastern Oklahoma State at 4 p.m. with the finale at 6 p.m. showcasing Oklahoma Baptist and Wayne State.
            The Wildcats were picked to win the NSIC South Division and listed third overall in the Preseason NSIC Men's Basketball Coaches Poll released October 13th. Wayne State returns four starters from last year's club that was 14-12 and third in the NSIC South Division at 11-8.  The Wildcat to Watch in the NSIC this season is First Team All-NSIC guard Justin Eagins, who averaged 16.2 points per game last season to rank 14th in the league.  He was fourth in the NSIC in steals with 42.
            Southeastern Oklahoma State was picked fourth in the preseason Great American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released October 12th.  The team lost four starters from last year's team.  The Savage Storm were 24-6 last season and 18-4 in the Great American Conference to capture the regular season championship.  The top returner for SEOSU is All-GAC selection Jeff Sternberger, a 6-1 junior guard who averaged 16.4 points per game last season while shooting nearly 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range.
            MSU Moorhead was picked to finish second in the Preseason NSIC Coaches Poll released October 13th.  The Dragons are ranked 21st in the NABC Division II Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll and returns four starters.  The Dragons were 19-12 last season and 11-7 in the NSIC North Division.  MSU Moorhead captured the NSIC Post-Season Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament for a second straight season.  The Player to Watch in the NSIC this season for MSU Moorhead is 6-4 senior guard Gavin Baumgartner, who averaged 11.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game last season while shooting 43 percent.
            Oklahoma Baptist was picked third in this year's Preseason GAC Men's Basketball Coaches Poll.  The Bison lost four starters and three All-GAC performers from last year's team.  The Bison were 20-9 last season and second place in the Great American Conference with a 17-5 league record.  6-6 senior forward Nigel Wilcox is the top returning starter for Oklahoma Baptist, averaging 8.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season while shooting 58.3 percent from the floor.