Warriors travel to NCAA Midwest Region Tipoff

The tournament will begin on Friday, Nov. 13 against Michigan Tech at 3 p.m., before the Warriors face Northern Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.

Fans can follow along throughout the weekend with streaming, live stats, tickets and game notes:

• Watch (Both Games)
• Live Stats (MTU)
• Live Stats (NMU)
• Tickets
• Game Notes

Key storylines

• Winona State will look to improve on its 9-19 overall record and 8-14 NSIC record from the 2025-26 season.
• The Warriors will meet Michigan Tech for the 53rd time in program history, before meeting Northern Michigan for the eighth time overall.
• Winona State opened its season 1-2 at the Hoops in Hawaii Classic, falling to Lake Erie and St. Edward's, while picking up a win over Chaminade.
• Winona State was selected to finish tied for sixth overall in the 2026-27 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll and fourth in the NSIC South Division.
• The Warriors return 11 players from the 2025-26 roster while welcoming three newcomers for the 2026-27 season.
• Winona State will look to build on the experience younger players gained last season while several teammates dealt with injuries.
• Head coach Todd Eisner enters his 12th season leading the Winona State men's basketball program.

Scouting the Huskies

• Michigan Tech returns 11 players from last season's Elite Eight team and adds six newcomers.
• The Huskies were picked third in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving two first-place votes.
• Sixth-year head coach Josh Buettner leads a program that received votes in the NABC Preseason Poll.
• Junior Gabe Smith earned Preseason All-GLIAC First Team honors after averaging 7.8 points and 6.8 rebounds last season.
• Smith led the Huskies with 244 rebounds and 62 steals in 2025-26.

Scouting the Wildcats

• Northern Michigan went 28-7 last season, setting a program record for wins and reaching its fourth straight NCAA Tournament.
• The Wildcats return six players and added eight newcomers, including four transfers.
• Brooks Hinson (13.0 PPG), Kyle Olagbegi (12.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG) and Pryce Gregoire (11.0 PPG) lead the offense.
• Northern Michigan opened the season 1-2, defeating Central Oklahoma before falling to Harding and Lincoln Memorial.
• The Wildcats shot 46.1% from the field through their first three games, including 53.8% from three-point range against Central Oklahoma.

Aloha, Hoops in Hawaii Classic

• The Warriors opened the 2026-27 season at the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.
• The Warriors went 1-2 overall across the three-day tournament.
• WSU defeated Chaminade, while falling to Lake Erie and St. Edward's.

Haertle preseason player to watch

• Luke Haertle was named Winona State's Player to Watch by the NSIC on Oct. 16.
• Haertle is a senior guard from Hartland, Wis.
• He returns to the Warriors after spending a season away from the program.
• During the 2024-25 season, Haertle averaged 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
• Haertle earned first-team All-NSIC honors and was named NSIC Newcomer of the Year in 2024-25.
• Head coach Todd Eisner looks for Haertle to bring toughness, competitiveness and production back to the Warriors.

NSIC preseason poll

• Winona State was selected to finish tied for sixth overall in the 2026-27 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• The Warriors were also picked fourth in the NSIC South Division.
• Last season, Winona State finished 13th overall and eighth in the South Division with a 9-19 overall record and an 8-14 mark in conference play.
• Augustana tied Winona State for sixth overall with 144 points.
• Minnesota State was picked first overall with 216 points, followed by St. Cloud State with 211 points.

Stay connected with Winona State University Athletics all season long by following the Warriors on social media at @WinonaStateATH (X/Instagram), @winonastatewarriors (YouTube) and Winona State Warrior Athletics (Facebook). Find full schedules, scores and stories at winonastatewarriors.com.