OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — A surging North Dakota State squad looks to continue its dominant season while Omaha seeks a season-altering upset when the teams meet in a Summit League men’s basketball matchup Saturday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The game, scheduled for March 7, 2026, at the Elmen Center, pits the conference’s top-tier Bison against a Mavericks team searching for consistency in the final stretch of the regular season.

North Dakota State (25-7 overall) enters as the clear favorite, boasting a potent offense that averages nearly 82 points per game. The Bison have won 10 of their last 12, including a 92-84 victory over Omaha last month. Guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas has been a catalyst, averaging 17.3 points over his last seven games. He scored 13 points in the February win over the Mavericks.

Omaha (15-16) has lost three of its last four, including a 53-68 defeat at Saint Thomas on Feb. 28. The Mavericks’ hopes likely hinge on another explosive performance from forward Paul Djobet, who torched the Bison for a career-high 38 points in the Feb. 7 loss in Fargo. Djobet is averaging 17.0 points over his last six contests.

The Bison have won both meetings this season, also edging Omaha 78-76 on Jan. 10. North Dakota State’s balanced attack, which saw Trevian Carson (17 points) and Noah Feddersen (12 points) join Wheeler-Thomas in double figures in Thursday’s win over Oral Roberts, presents a multifaceted challenge.

For Omaha, limiting turnovers and finding secondary scoring behind Djobet will be critical. Guard Lance Waddles, who had 14 points in the last outing, is a key complementary piece.

The neutral-site contest at the Elmen Center serves as a final tune-up before the Summit League Tournament. North Dakota State is playing for postseason seeding momentum, while Omaha aims to build a résumé-boosting win to reach .500 and gain confidence for the conference bracket.