Blue and Gold Days

The Lancer basketball programs take on Black Hills opponents for Blue and Gold Days in their home openers this weekend.

This begins on Friday night as the Lancers take on Black Hills State University on Friday night at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

This continues against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

On the women’s side, the Lancers face two teams that received NAIA Division II recognition in the preseason polls.

BHSU (2-0) is ranked 18th in the preseason polls and defeated Dordt College (71-57) and Dana College (65-55).

SDSM&T (1-1) received ten votes which would rank the 33rd in the nation. They fell to Dana College (60-54) and defeated Dordt (63-59) last weekend.

Coach Tom Schlimgen says that the most important part of preparing for this weekend’s games is going to be just playing their game.

“We know that we have big challenges this weekend, but right now our biggest concern is us.” Schlimgen said.

After defeating Johnson and Wales University (Colo) 81-34, they started off on the right foot.

However, it is going to take a stronger effort to do well this weekend.

“Offensively, we just need to great better with our execution and our spacing to see improvement,” Schlimgen said.

Schlimgen hopes that his team can keep expanding on the offensive side of the court to help with production.

"Offensively we need to expand on some of the things we do to give us more options,” Schlimgen said.

This weekend could prove to be the first glimpse on what the Lancers need to do to improve.