A bigger nonconference game than usual when UND-NDSU meet in Fargo

A nonconference game for either team at this point of the season isn't ideal.

But playing your rival makes the nonconference game a lot easier to take.

UND takes on NDSU Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Scheels Center in Fargo—the teams' second meeting of the season. Next season, however, the timing of the games is moot since UND will transition from the Big Sky into the Summit.

"There aren't a lot of coaches who would be fired up with the way this thing was put together," said UND coach Brian Jones. "But, some years, that's the way things happen and we just have to do our best."

UND (2-4 Big Sky, 6-11 overall) played its best basketball of the season last week in beating league opponents Idaho State and Weber State.

The Hawks' game against the Bison also will be the start of four straight on the road. On Saturday, UND will be back in the Big Sky—playing Northern Colorado. Next week, UND travels to Eastern Washington and Idaho.

"This year's schedule, from start to finish, is a bear," added Jones. "But this team is going to be together for two years so it will make them stronger."

UND's 89-79 win over Weber State on Saturday perhaps was the Hawks' best overall game of the season. They shot the ball well, defended well and held their own on the boards against the bigger Wildcats.

The Hawks will have to shoot well against NDSU, which averages 23.6 three-point attempts per game. The Bison (2-2 Summit, 10-8 overall) average 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, which ranks second in the Summit.

In the first meeting, UND played without starter Cortez Seales, who returned home for a family matter.

Seales has been a factor in UND's past three games, scoring 15 points against Montana State, 14 against Idaho State and 15 against Weber.

"He's been a key piece for us lately," said UND's Geno Crandall, who leads the Hawks with a 15.8 ppg average.

Crandall, however, doesn't mind stepping out of conference play for a non-league game, especially when it comes against a rival.

"In most scenarios, it might be a little tough and you might not feel you have as much at stake," said Crandall. "But, with it being those guys down south and them getting us up here last month ... it fits well."

North Dakota at North Dakota State

• When: Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m.

• Where: Scheels Center, Fargo

• Records: UND 2-4 Big Sky, 6-11 overall; NDSU 2-2 Summit, 10-8 overall

• TV/Radio: MidcoSN; 100.3 FM

• Of note: NDSU holds a 6-3 advantage since the two teams renewed their rivalry at the Division I level in 2010.