PREVIEW: Huskies Back in Houghton to Battle Ferris State and Lake Superior State
Michigan Tech Game Notes (PDF)
Thurs. Jan. 10 • 7:30 p.m. vs Ferris State • Sat. Jan. 12 • 3 p.m. vs Lake Superior State
Michigan Tech (7-6, 2-4 GLIAC) vs Ferris State (11-6, 3-3 GLIAC) and Lake Superior State (7-5, 3-3 GLIAC)
Radio: WKMJ Mix 93 FM (Mitch Lake)
Video Stream: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/mtu/
Audio Stream: Pasty.net
Live Stats: http://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mbkb/2018-19/schedule
WEEK EIGHT IN REVIEW
Michigan Tech fell on the road against two tough teams in No. 10 Ashland and Wayne State this past week. The Huskies kept things close for the majority of the first half, but the Eagles' offense caught fire in the final eight minutes of the opening period while the defense shutdown Tech's attack to create a deficit the Huskies were unable to overcome. Freshman Dawson Bilski paced the Huskies' offense with 15 points by firing in 6 of 12 shots from the field Thursday night. Freshman Owen White followed with seven points, freshman TeeAaron Powell had six points, and sophomore Trent Bell ended the night with five points and a team high 10 rebounds. On Saturday against the Warriors, the Huskies kept the game close and battled hard to the final buzzer, but were forced to play catchup most of the way. Powell and Bilski guided the Huskies with 13 points apiece Saturday afternoon. The points total along with seven rebounds for Powell were also career highs in each of those categories. Bilski shared the team lead with Bell in regards to rebounds as each player hauled down eight. Senior Bryan Heath followed with 11 points to round out the double digit scorers, freshman Jake Witt chipped in eight points, and sophomore Isaac Appleby had a team high five assists.
POWELL IN THE PAINT
Freshman forward TeeAaron Powell turned in one of the best performances of his first season in a Tech uniform in Saturday's game at Wayne State University. Powell fired in a season high 13 points and hauled down seven rebounds against the Warriors. Powell has emerged as another go to player in the post for the Huskies and will continue to play a major role as the season continues. Powell is converting on 51.5 percent of his field goals while averaging 1.5 rebounds per game in 10 contests on the floor.
ECONO KIDS FOOD DAY
This Saturday is the ECONO Kids Food Day at Michigan Tech. Tadych's Econo Foods of Houghton has purchased 500 youth tickets for Saturday's Michigan Tech Athletic events including women's and men's basketball along with hockey. Hockey tickets are general admission but can be upgraded to reserved seats if you visit or call the SDC Ticket Office at 906-487-2073. Basketball tickets are general admission. Adults can also purchase a ticket to all three games for only $24 when you show an Econo Foods Kids Ticket at the SDC Ticket Office. There is no limit to the number of adult tickets you can purchase with proof of an Econo Foods Kids Ticket. The first 250 kids to basketball and the first 500 kids to the hockey game can get a free hot dog at the concession stand thanks to Vollwerth's. Michigan Tech Athletics and Econo Foods have partnered together annually for more than a decade on Econo Foods Kids Day.
GLIAC STATISTICAL RANKINGS
Through 13 games this season, the Huskies are near the top of the GLIAC statistical rankings in a few different categories. The Huskies have always been a solid free throw shooting team and through 13 contests, Tech is fourth in the conference in free throw percentage at 73.6. The Huskies are first in the conference in blocked shots per game (5.0) while ranking second in the GLIAC in points allowed per game (61.5). The Huskies are second in total rebounds per contest at 38.7, third in rebounding margin (4.6), and second in the league at holding opponents combined field goal percentage to 39.1. Senior Bryan Heath is 19th in the GLIAC in scoring at 13.2 points per game, sophomore Trent Bell is 10th in the conference in rebounds per game (6.5), and sophomore Isaac Appleby is fourth in all of the GLIAC with a 4.5 assists per game average. Witt is fifth in the GLIAC in blocks per game average (1.4).
SERIES HISTORY VS FERRIS STATE AND LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
Michigan Tech has had a storied history down through the years against Ferris State and Lake Superior State. The Huskies will meet the Bulldogs for the 124th time in program history on Thursday night in the SDC. Tech will look to snap a seven game losing slid to the defending NCAA Division II Champions and nearly did so last year, falling 89-84 in overtime on February 15th in Houghton. Three of the last seven games against the Bulldogs have advanced into an extra frame. Ferris State has a slight 62-61 edge in the all-time series.
Michigan Tech and Lake Superior State will play for the 111th time Saturday afternoon in the SDC. The Lakers have a 57-53 lead in the all-time series and have won four straight against the Huskies, including in last year's GLIAC semifinal round. Tech won back-to-back games against Lake Superior State 86-57 on January 21st, 2017 and 91-87 February 20th, 2016. Both of those victories were at home in the SDC.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Ferris State is 11-6 overall and 3-3 in the GLIAC going into Thursday's game against the Huskies. The Bulldogs are in a four-way tie for first place in the league standings coming into the week. Ferris State fell to Davenport 87-72 this past Saturday, but had won six in a row prior to that, including an 86-79 win at Grand Valley State. The Bulldogs lead the conference in scoring at 89.8 points per game and are also tops in the league in three-point shooting percentage (41.9%), and free throw attempts per game (23.8). DeShaun Thrower guides the offense thanks to a 17.3 points per game scoring average followed by D'Angelo Hughes at 14.1 points each time he hits the court. Markese Mayfield is the top rebounder so far this season, checking in at 6.9 boards per night. He also chips in 10.9 points per game on the offensive end of the floor. The Bulldogs defense is surrendering 80.4 points per game to opposing teams this season.
Lake Superior State is 7-5 overall and 3-3 in the GLIAC as the Lakers get set to battle Northern Michigan on the road Thursday Night. The Lakers picked up an 85-72 victory at home against Grand Valley State on Saturday. Lake Superior State is fifth in the conference in scoring at 81.6 points per game and rank second in the league in free throw shooting percentage (74.0%). Malek Adams powers the offense at 15.8 points per game followed closely by Rog Stein at 14.9 points per contest. Stein is also the top rebounder on the club with an 8.3 boards per game average and also paces the team in assists at 3.8 per game. The Lakers defense is surrendering 78.1 points per game to the opponents they have faced this year.
COACH LUKE
Kevin Luke, the winningest coach in Michigan Tech basketball history begins his 25th season leading the Huskies in 2018-19. 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 422-270 overall record, including a 283-182 mark in conference play. His winning percentage of .610 ranks as the best in Husky hoop annals.
NEXT UP
The Huskies remain at home next week to face Grand Valley State and Davenport for two GLIAC contests. The Lakers are 9-5 overall and 3-3 in the GLIAC going into league games this week at home against Saginaw Valley State and Northwood University. Davenport boasts an overall record of 11-2 and are 4-2 in the GLIAC. The Panthers will face Saginaw Valley State and Northwood as well.