TAHLEQUAH — The Northeastern State men's basketball team tips off its 2025-26 season this Friday and Saturday, hosting the Central Region Challenge inside the NSU Event Center. The RiverHawks will welcome Arkansas-Monticello, Central Oklahoma, and Minnesota Crookston for two action-packed days of basketball.

Central Region Challenge Schedule

Friday, November 14
5 p.m. | Central Oklahoma vs. Minnesota Crookston
7 p.m. | Northeastern State vs. Arkansas-Monticello

Saturday, November 15
2 p.m. | Central Oklahoma vs. Arkansas-Monticello
4 p.m. | Northeastern State vs. Minnesota Crookston

 A Quick Look Back
The RiverHawks enter the season without any preseason exhibitions, having only faced Southwestern Oklahoma in scrimmage.

Leading the charge is Ethan Blackmon, one of the MIAA's top returning players, who averaged 16.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season. Blackmon needs just 195 points to join NSU's prestigious 1,000-point club.

Newcomer AJ Reed, a Tulsa native, averaged 15.6 points last year at Seminole State, while his former teammate Nehemiah Weber contributed 14.1 points per game — giving NSU a potent new backcourt duo.

About Minnesota Crookston
Minnesota Crookston is projected to finish 15th overall in the NSIC and 7th in the North Division.

Chandler Meeks (R-Jr., G, Omaha, Neb.) — the Golden Eagles' most experienced player — was named the team's NSIC Player to Watch. Returning from a season-ending injury suffered in early January, Meeks is expected to be a key factor in the backcourt.

Series Note: This marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs. NSU's last matchup against a Minnesota school came during the 2013 NCAA Central Regional against Winona State.

About Arkansas-Monticello
The Weevils were picked to finish 11th in the Great American Conference after going 4–24 (1–21 GAC) last season.

UAM struggled on the road, going 0–14 away from Monticello. Transfer Josh Smith from Langston brings scoring punch after averaging nearly 10 points per game and helping the Lions reach the NAIA Round of 16.

Series Note: This will be just the second meeting between NSU and UAM since the RiverHawks joined the NCAA ranks. The Weevils lead the all-time series 2–1, with NSU's lone victory coming during the 1987–88 season.

Up Next
Northeastern State stays home to host Ozark Christian on Tuesday, November 18, for its annual Toys for Tots Game.