SEWARD, Neb. – For the second weekend in a row to begin the 2025-26 season, Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball will hit the road. The next stop on the journey is Hillsboro, Kan., where Tabor College Classic will take place. The Bulldogs are prepping for matchups with Tabor and Wayland Baptist University (Texas). Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad will aim to get into the win column after falling in its season opener, 79-69, at No. 23 Graceland University (Iowa).
This Week – Tabor College Classic
Friday, Oct. 31 at Tabor (0-1), 8 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Tabor College Gymnasium (Hillsboro, Kan.)
Saturday, Nov. 1 vs. Wayland Baptist (0-0), 1 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Tabor College Gymnasium (Hillsboro, Kan.)
Five quick hitters
· Limback’s program landed at No. 11 in the final NAIA coaches’ poll of the 2024-25 season and then advanced to the second round of the 2025 national tournament. Despite making four straight national tournament appearances, Concordia did not earn any votes in the 2025-26 NAIA preseason coaches’ poll. In the GPAC preseason coaches’ poll, the Bulldogs checked in tied for third with Dordt. The top 10 in the poll were No. 1 Northwestern and No. 2 Morningside.
· A tough test rang in the new season as Concordia made its way to Lamoni, Iowa, to take on No. 23 Graceland this past Saturday. The Heart of America Athletic Conference preseason favorites, the Yellowjackets build a lead as large as 18 and held off a comeback attempt from the Bulldogs, who got within three (63-60) at the 4:02 mark of the second half. Sophomore point guard Dane Jacobsen led the rally as he amassed a career-high 19 points and dished out five assists. Concordia’s other two double-figure scorers were Zac Kulus (14) and Jaxon Stueve (14). Graceland won the season opener on the strength of a 35-19 rebound advantage and 54.4 percent (31-for-57) shooting.
· After playing in 30 games as a freshman last season, Jacobsen jumps into a starting role this season. He was joined in the starting lineup last week by seniors Zac Kulus and Logan Wilson (junior eligibility-wise) and juniors Tate Odvody and Jaxon Stueve. That lineup could be shaken up a bit once the likes of Hayden Frank and Brooks Kissinger return from injury. A transfer from Colorado Christian College, Odvody played in 51 games at the NCAA Division II level and provides a much-needed presence in the frontcourt after the departures of All-Americans Noah Schutte and Tristan Smith.
· The junior class will have a large say in what heights this 2025-26 team reaches. The three most experienced members of that class include Nebraska natives Jaxon Stueve (7.8 ppg in 2024-25), Hayden Frank (6.9 ppg in 2024-25) and Brooks Kissinger (6.2 ppg in 2024-25). Stueve has already started 51 games and has compiled 457 points, 145 rebounds and 82 assists in his collegiate career. Senior Zac Kulus has played in the most games (86) of anyone on the roster.
· Now in the 13th year of his tenure, Limback’s record at Concordia Nebraska stands at 232-142. Limback has 21 total years of head coaching experience (357-300 overall record) having also spent nine seasons as head coach at Concordia University Ann Arbor. Ryan Tegtmeier is in his fifth season as Limback’s lead assistant. Joel Baker is the staff’s graduate assistant.
The opponents
Tabor is attempting to raise its level as Head Coach Josh Roach enters year two leading the program. The Bluejays opened the 2025-26 season at Doane with a 75-70 loss on Monday. Tabor finished the 2024-25 campaign at 3-24 overall (2-20 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference). Senior forward Niieihii Blackbear paced the team with 23 points in the season opener. This past ’24-25 season, the Bluejays averaged 69.4 points and shot 39.3 percent from the floor. Their opponents averaged 92.0 points and shot 48.2 percent from the floor. Concordia opened the 2022-23 season by defeating Tabor, 88-52, at home.
Wayland Baptist will open its 2025-26 season by playing Mount Marty at the Tabor Classic on Friday. The Pioneers finished last season at 17-13 overall. Clint Galyean enters his sixth season as head coach. Galyean took the program to the national tournament in 2023 and 2024. The team’s leading returning scorer is senior guard Brett Leach, who averaged 9.7 points per game last season. As a team, Wayland Baptist averaged 74.1 points and shot 43.6 percent from the field and its opponents averaged 69.6 points and shot 43.3 percent from the field in 2024-25.
Next week
The first home appearances of the 2025-26 season are coming up at the 26th annual Cattle Classic, which will run Nov. 7-8. As part of the food drive and fundraising event, the Bulldogs will take on Oklahoma City University and Clarke University (Iowa). More details on the event can be found HERE.