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Posted: Jan 15, 2020

PREVIEW: Huskies Take On Lake Superior State and Ferris State in SDC Gym

Ryan Schuller attempting a jump shot

Michigan Tech Game Notes (PDF)
Thurs. Jan. 16 • 7:30 p.m. vs Lake Superior State • Sat. Jan. 18 • 3 p.m. vs Ferris State
Michigan Tech (11-4, 5-2 GLIAC) vs Lake Superior St. (6-9, 3-4 GLIAC) and Ferris State (17-2, 6-1 GLIAC) (SDC Gym)
 Radio: Mix93 FM WKMJ (Mitch Lake)
Video Stream: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/mtu/
 Audio Stream: Pasty.net
Live Stats: https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/schedule

 2019-20 WEEK NINE IN REVIEW
 Michigan Tech split two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games last week on the road at Parkside and Purdue Northwest. The Huskies fell to the Rangers on Thursday night 69-56, but bounced back with an 84-77 victory against the Pride Saturday. Tech emerged from the weekend with an overall record of 11-4 and 5-2 in the GLIAC.

In Thursday's game at Parkside, Sophomore Owen White powered the Huskies with 20 points by connecting on 8 of 13 shots from the field, including 4 of 7 chances from behind the arc. White also dished out three assists and grabbed three rebounds in Thursday's game. Junior Tommy Lucca followed with 10 points and six assists while junior Trent Bell tacked on nine points and had seven rebounds. Senior Kyle Monroe chipped in eight points and reeled in a team high nine rebounds. As a team, the Huskies made 23 of 66 shots from the field (34.8%), were 6 of 29 from three-point range (20.7%), and 4 for 5 at the free throw line (80.0%).

On Saturday at Purdue Northwest, Monroe powered the Huskies' offense with 30 points followed by junior Dawson Bilski with 17 points and White with 15 points to round out the double-digit scorers. White secured a team high eight rebounds and Bell wasn't far behind in that category with seven boards. Freshman Eric Carl had nine key points off the bench while sophomore TeeAaron Powell recorded seven boards as a reserve on Saturday. Lucca dished out six assists, had four rebounds, and four points. The Huskies made good on 33 of 65 shots from the field (50.8%), were 6 for 15 from three-point range (40.0%), and 12 for 18 at the charity stripe (66.7%). Tech out-rebounded the Pride 39-34, had 18 total assists, 17 points off 12 Pride turnovers, and 44 points in the paint.

QUICK STARTS ARE KEY
 Michigan Tech is unbeaten at 7-0 when they lead at halftime of games this season. The Huskies have also rallied in some other contests this season as well. Tech's four additional wins came in games where they trailed at the intermission. The Huskies began the 2019-20 campaign with two come from behind victories at McKendree and against Lewis in the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge. Tech has been in front through 20 minutes in each of their home wins this season.

ALUMNI WEEKEND
 Saturday's game will be basketball Alumni Weekend at the SDC Gym when the Huskies host Ferris State. Complimentary tickets will be given to alumni and their families and all alumni will be announced at halftime of the men's game. Alumni can RSVP to Josh Buettner with the number of tickets needed if they plan on attending (jjbuettn@mtu.edu).

GLIAC PRESEASON POLL
 Michigan Tech was picked to finish third in the GLIAC North Division for the third consecutive year, pulling in 45 points and one first place vote in the Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Wednesday by the conference office. Ferris State once again sits atop the North Division with 55 points and six first place votes. Parkside checks in just behind the Bulldogs with 51 points and five first place nods. Lake Superior State is slated to finish fourth with 33 points, Purdue Northwest fifth with 17 points, and Northern Michigan sixth with 15 points.

Over in the South Division, defending GLIAC Champion Davenport University is penciled in to the No. 1 spot with 61 points and 11 of the 12 first place votes. Ashland University is second with 50 points and one first place vote while Grand Valley State holds down the No. 3 position with 39 points. Northwood is fourth with 26 points, Saginaw Valley State is fifth with 24 points, and Wayne State is sixth with 16 points to round out the bottom three teams in the poll.

GLIAC STATISTICAL RANKINGS
 Through the first 15 games of the season, the Huskies are ranked near the top of the GLIAC statistical rankings in a number of categories. Tech leads the conference in free throw shooting percentage (77.5%) and third in the GLIAC in three-point baskets made per game at 9.3. The Huskies are also first in the GLIAC in overall field goal percentage (48.4%) and first in three-point shooting percentage (38.0%). Tech checks in second in assists per game (18.7) and first in fewest turnovers per game (9.1). The defense is second in fewest points allowed per game at 66.7 and are sixth in steals at 6.2 each time the team takes the floor. The Huskies are second in the GLIAC in scoring at 79.5 points per game. Monroe leads the GLIAC in scoring at 20.9 points per game, 10th in rebounding at 6.7 boards per contest, and fifth in free throw shooting percentage (84.5%). Lucca is tops in the conference in assists per game (6.8) and assist to turnover ratio (4.6).

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
 Lake Superior State owns an overall record of 6-9 and 3-4 in the GLIAC coming into Thursday's game against the Huskies. The Lakers have sustained losses in each of the last three games, including a 74-69 loss at Northwood on Sunday. Lake Superior State is third in the conference in free throws made per game (15.0) and fourth in three-point baskets made in each contest (8.8). The Lakers offense ranks eighth in overall points per game (73.5) and are surrendering 76.1 points per game to opponents, second highest in the conference. Ke'Montrece Collins delivers 16.2 points for the Lakers' offense each time he steps on the floor. Collins also hauls down a team high 7.6 rebounds per night. C.J. Robinson also checks into Thursday's battle, averaging 10.5 points per game as the second leading scorer on the team. Lake Superior State leads the all-time series with Tech 58-54, with both teams winning a game last season. Tech's victory was a 74-71 decision on February 14, 2019 in Sault Ste. Marie.

Ferris State is the eighth ranked team in NCAA Division II going into Thursday's game at Northern Michigan. The Bulldogs are 17-2 overall and 6-1 in the GLIAC, good for first place in the North Division standings. Ferris State's only conference loss came at the hands of Davenport 69-55 on January 4. The Bulldogs are coming off an 86-82 victory in their most recent outing at Saginaw Valley State on Sunday. Ferris State leads the GLIAC in multiple statistical categories, including points per game (90.2), field goals made per game (31.9), three-point baskets made per game (9.9), and assists per game (20.9). The Bulldogs' defense is surrendering 74.3 points per game to opponents through 19 contests of the 2019-20 season. The Bulldogs have four players averaging 10 or more points per night, led by Walt Kelser with a 19.3 average. He's followed by Dorian Aluyi at 11.4 points per game and also paces the team in rebounding with 6.9 boards each contest. Ferris State leads the all-time series against Tech 63-62 going into Saturday's first matchup of the 2019-20 season.

COACH LUKE
 Kevin Luke, the winningest coach in Michigan Tech basketball history is in his 26th season leading the Huskies in 2019-20. He has earned a plethora of accolades since his appointment as the program's 11th head coach in May of 1994. Luke has guided the Huskies to five Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, earned eight NCAA Tournament berths and won his 300th game in a 74-72 victory over Grand Valley State on March 2, 2011. He reached the 400 win mark on January 19th, 2017 with an 83-72 win over Northwood at home. He owns an impressive 433-286 overall record, including a 289-196 mark in conference play. His winning percentage of .602 ranks as the best in Husky hoop annals.

UP NEXT
 The Huskies begin a four game road trip next week when the team heads to Grand Valley State and Davenport. The Lakers are 13-2 overall and 6-1 in the GLIAC as they host Northwood Thursday and travel to Saginaw Valley State Saturday. Davenport is 12-5 on the season and 4-3 in the conference going into the week. The Panthers host Saginaw Valley State Thursday and travel to Northwood Saturday.