North Dakota State Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for Bison

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: Vinnie Shahid #0 and head coach David Richman of the North Dakota State Bison speak during a timeout against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Projected Starters

PG- Vinnie Shahid, Sr.

After two years of Juco, Shahid came in and started every game for NDSU, leading the team in points, assists and minutes en route to winning Summit League New Comer of the Year and Summit League Tournament MVP. He averaged 13.1 points per game, shooting 44% from the field (52.7% from 2, 36.6% from 3) to go with 2.6 assists. He’ll almost certainly lead the team in both categories again this year, but their overall ceiling may be determined by whether he can increase his efficiency while keeping or even raising his volume.

SG- Jared Samuelson, Sr.

Samuelson fills the role of shooter on this team, and he fills it well. A nearly 44% three-point shooter for his career, on his worst nights Samuelson is a credible threat to let fly from anywhere spacing the floor. On his best nights, his shotmaking is opening up avenues for his burgeoning playmaking (1.1 assists per game last year after averaging less than one a game his first two years) and the wheels of the offense spin happily along. Defensively stout, Samuelson’s teammates will never be concerned with needing to pick up slack for him on that end.

SF- Tyson Ward, Sr.

Ward was the second-leading scorer for the Bison last season, and also lead the team in rebounding. Surprising as that might be from a wing player, it’s a good testament to the athleticism Ward brings, which at his size and position is something not always seen within this conference. That athleticism at 6-6 allows him to defend a multitude of matchups on the perimeter, which is something any mid-major team with big dreams needs. Shahid may be the leader of this team, but a case could be made that their most important two-way player in Ward.

PF-Sam Griesel, Soph.

Griesel’s start to his freshman campaign got off to a slow start, but after he returned from an early-season injury you saw him round into a very useful player in his 22 starts. He averaged just 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds, but he built steam throughout the year, culminating in a 20 point outing that propelled NDSU to victory in that conference semifinal matchup against Western Illinois.

Griesel shot over 50% from two a year ago, but just 25% from three. If he becomes a more consistent threat from the outside, the Bison could really fly on offense this year. Defensively, he was uncommonly comfortable for a freshman, and while he may not be an absolute stopper, Griesel will never be a liability on that end.

C- Rocky Kreuser, Jr.

As the full-time starting center a year ago, Kreuser excelled in both rim protection and finishing. Averaging 8.7 points per game, he also excelled boxing out, clearing the path for guys like Ward to crash the boards while he himself averaged just 3.9 rebounds per game. As an added bonus, the 6-10 Kreuser cashed in 35% of his threes on 3.5 attempts per game. A big man who does some dirty work on both ends and can knock down an open look from anywhere is something any team would want to have, and Kreuser is on track for a very productive season and career in that role.