No. 5 Marian: 14-12

No. 1 Benedictine: 25-0

LISLE. Ill.  – The Marian men's basketball team travels to Benedictine for the semi-final round of the 2015-16 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Friday evening at 7 p.m.

How Marian got there

Just 15 days ago the Sabres didn't know if a spot in the postseason was in reach, however, the Blue and White have won four games in a row and are a game out from the conference championship game.

Boyle and Bunkenburg familiar foes

MU's Mark Boyle and BU head coach Keith Bunkenburg are two of the most respected basketball coaches in not only the NACC but in all of Division III – and for good reason. The two have coached for a combined 45 years and accumulated over 600 wins.

Match-up to keep an eye on

Alex Manhardt (6-6, 200) and Josh Creed (6-6, 195) versus Shawn Soelter (6-7, 255), Tim Reamer (6-5, 240), Lucas Johnson (6-9, 235) and Adam Reynolds (6-5, 225). One of the reasons why the Eagles are regarded as the No. 2 team in the country the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament is due to their length and size. Johnson averages 13.7 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, while Adam Reynolds chips in 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Manhardt averages 17.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Creed averages 16.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest.

What's next?

The winner advances to the NACC tournament championship game on Sunday.

Projected Starters:

Marian

Carvell Oliver – G

Alex Manhardt – F

Alex Stecker – G

Josh Creed – F

Reggie Roemer – G

Benedictine

Michael Blaszczyk—G

Lucas Johnson—F

Tahron Harvey—G

Adam Reynolds—F

John Dodson—G