GRAND FORKS -- The North Dakota men's basketball team hopes to emulate the North Dakota State squad, which made it to the NCAA tournament in its first season of Division I postseason eligibility.
UND coach Brian Jones said a lot has to happen in the next few years, but a winning record in the Fighting Sioux program's first Division I season is a good start.
"It was very educational," he said of UND's initial season at the top NCAA level. "We had a great time and we learned a ton -- from the speed, strength and quickness of the Division I game to how to travel better.
"Our guys got the most out of their ability," Jones said. "We're headed in the right direction."
The Bison qualified for the NCAA tournament with a talented group of fifth-year seniors.
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"Look at their seniors and what they've done," Jones said. "That's what their coaching staff had in mind. They had a great season and got hot at the right time.
"We have a similar plan," he said. "NDSU finished 16-12 in its first (Division I) year and we finished 16-12 in our first year. There are a lot of similarities. We hope our kids develop and keep getting stronger."
UND won't be won't be eligible for NCAA postseason play until the 2012-13 season. The Sioux went through their first D-I season with players recruited to play Division II basketball. Jones decided to redshirt all of his freshmen in the hope they will develop and be competitive at the D-I level by the time they are juniors and seniors.
UND's redshirts had a productive season, Jones said.
"The least amount of weight a player put on was 15 pounds," he said. "We had a couple of guys put on 30 pounds. They're right where they need to be for the Division I level. They still have a ways to go, but they're right on track."
The Sioux will lose four seniors next year, including their top two scorers -- Daniel Harkins (14 points per game) and O.J. Harrison (12 ppg). But with its new group of players, UND will have a 7-footer in Mitch Wilmer. He could give the Sioux a defensive presence in the middle they lacked this season.
"Mitch is a shot blocker," Jones said. "He's athletic and he's fearless."
UND's scoring -- at least initially -- will come from its two returning starters, Travis Bledsoe and Travis Mertens.
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"We'll be extremely young next year," Jones said. "Next year will be about getting our kids acclimated to Division I basketball."
Next season also will be about UND competing for a conference title. UND and six other schools will comprise the Great West Conference.
That means some more new faces for the Sioux, who played 15 Division I schools this season and beat five of them.
UND will face five new opponents next season in the Great West -- Houston Baptist, Texas-Pan American, Chicago State, Utah Valley State and New Jersey Tech.
"We'll have a difficult schedule," Jones said. "But it should be a neat time for our fans to develop some new rivalries."
