#3 GLIAC NORTH - MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE LAKERS (26-7 ALL, 18-4 GLIAC)

2015-16 Lake Superior State Men's Basketball Preview

The Lake Superior State University men’s basketball team looks to continue their recent run of success, that includes back-to-back GLIAC Regular Season Championships and trips to the NCAA Tournament, in 2015-16. To build on their recent prominence, the Lakers (26-7, 18-4 GLIAC in 2014-15) will have to find ways to replace last year’s leading scorers Alex Williams (12.7 ppg) and Tony Harris (10.9 ppg).

Four starters return from last year’s team, including Akaemji Williams who averaged 8.9 points per game, as well as dished out 2.8 assists per contest to lead the team. Williams, a sophomore, will be looked at to help lead a defensive unit that surrendered the fewest points per game in the GLIAC last season. Williams averaged nearly two steals per game and was accompanied by fellow freshman Mike Nicholson’s team-leading 1.5 blocks per game.

Another contributor coach Steve Hettinga expects to steer the ship is senior Devin Daly. Daly, a 6-4 forward from Mahogany Heights, Belize, finished third on the team in scoring while averaging 10.7 points and also hauled in 6.5 rebounds per game to lead the team. A double-double threat every night, Daly collected five double-doubles on the season, including 16 points and 12 rebounds in their NCAA loss against eventual Final Four team Bellarmine.

Hettinga undoubtedly will produce another hard-nosed team that will look for depth scoring and tenacious defense to produce wins. Hettinga’s style of team-oriented basketball has produced an overall record of 143-92 through eight seasons with the Lakers, including two regular-season titles and consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.