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CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University men’s basketball coach Jeff Kaminsky announced the Viking men’s basketball schedule for the upcoming season. Kaminsky, who is entering his 10th season at the helm of the Viking basketball program, says this may be as challenging of a schedule as any since his arrival at VCSU in the fall of 2004.
The Vikings open the season Oct. 24 at home against NAIA Division 1 opponent Carroll College from Montana. The schedule will feature four NCAA Division 2 opponents: MSU-Moorhead; Augustana College (S.D.); McMurry University (Texas); and University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon.
Highlighting the non-conference schedule are five nationally ranked opponents from last year. Embry Riddle University (Fla) was the No. 1-ranked team for four consecutive weeks and was ranked in every poll. Dordt College (Iowa) was ranked in every poll last season, including as high as No. 3. Bellevue University (Neb.) was ranked in every poll and was as high as No. 8. Bellevue has qualified for 12 straight NAIA National Tournaments. Northwestern College (Iowa) was ranked No. 15 in 2013-14 preseason poll, and York College (Neb.) was ranked four weeks in 2013-2014, including as high as No. 20.
The feature trip of the season will take the Vikings to much warmer weather. On Dec. 30, VCSU will match up with Embry Riddle University in the feature game of the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla. From there, the team will fly to Puerto Rico where they will play UPR-Bayamon and University of Sacred Heart on Jan. 2 and 3.
North Star Athletic Association play will begin Jan. 21 as the Vikings head to rival University of Jamestown, who won last year’s conference championship. Dickinson State University also joins the NSAA this season, which will improve the quality of the conference schedule. The conference tournament begins on Feb. 26 and concludes on March 3, with the champion receiving an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament in Point Lookout, Missouri.
For more information on VCSU Basketball, or to view the complete schedule online, visit www.vcsuvikings.com.