Reddie Men's Basketball Opens Season at Central Region Challenge

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The 2025 Reddies will open the 2025-26 season versus Bemidji State and Minnesota State at the Central Region Challenge in Pittsburg, Kansas. The Reddies face off against Bemidji State on Friday, November 14 at 11 a.m. and return to action versus (RV) Minnesota State on Saturday, November 15 at 1 p.m.

The Reddies have faced off against both schools only once. The lone faceoff against Bemidji State took place in November 2023, where the Reddies fell to the Beavers by a final score of 76-63. The sole matchup against Minnesota State occurred in 2022, when the Mavericks defeated the Reddies 84-64.

Bemidji State was selected to finish 12th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in their Preseason Coaches' Poll, released just over a month ago. The Beavers are coming off a 10-19 season, where they finished 7-15 in conference play. BSU returns six players from last season, including two of their top three scorers in Tate Olson and John Pecarich. Olson started in all 29 games for the Beavers a year ago, averaging 11.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in just over 32 minutes a night. Pecarich played just over 24 minutes per game and averaged 11.5 points and 2.1 rebounds.

Minnesota State is 1-1 through the opening weekend after splitting games at the CCA Tip-off Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri. The Mavericks defeated Northwest Missouri State 71-49 before falling to Pittsburg State 75-53. MSU was picked third in the Northern Sun after a 20-12, 15-7 campaign in 2024-25. They reached the Northern Sun semifinals before falling to Minot State. The Mavericks return seven players from last season, including junior forward Caden Kirkman (9.9 points, 6.0 rebounds per game in 24-25), sophomore guard Will Opsahl (7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds), and senior forward Malcolm Jones (4.0 points, 3.8 rebounds). The Mavericks will have a height advantage over most teams they play this season, with eight players standing 6'5" or taller.

The Reddies return four players from a season ago: Jameel Wesley II, Deazhon Perkins, Xavier Owens, and AJ Howard. 13 newcomers fill out the squad, with five coming from high schools and prep academies, two moving from junior colleges, and five transferring from other programs. HSU has impressed in its exhibition games with its depth and defensive intensity, both staples of Jimmy Elgas's program in his 11 years as head coach of the Reddies.

Henderson will return home for its home opener on Wednesday, November 19th, as they welcome Champion Christian College to the Duke Wells Center at 7:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Jameel Wesley II: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

#12 Deazhon Perkins: G; 6' 0"; Junior

#20 Xavier Owens: G; 6' 5"; Junior

#23 AJ Howard: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#2 Jameel Wesley II
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

#12 Deazhon Perkins
: 6' 0"; Junior
: G

#20 Xavier Owens
: 6' 5"; Junior
: G

#23 AJ Howard
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned

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