PREVIEW: Huskies Meet Algoma University Saturday
Michigan Tech Game Notes (PDF)
Saturday Dec. 21 • 1 p.m. vs Algoma University (Ontario)
Michigan Tech (7-3) vs Algoma University (2-9)
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 SEVEN IN REVIEW
Michigan Tech split two games last week, defeating Finlandia 119-72 in a non-conference contest Wednesday night before suffering a tough 64-61 loss to Northern Michigan on Sunday. In Wednesday's game, the Huskies surpassed the century mark in scoring for the first time since December 4, 2010 when they defeated Northern Michigan on the road 109-84. On Sunday, the Huskies trailed 31-19 at the break and battled back to take the lead in the final frame before a late surge by the Wildcats in the last two minutes proved to be the difference in the contest.
On Wednesday against the Lions, sophomore Owen White powered the Huskies' attack with a career high 26-points, connecting on 10 of 10 shots from the field while finding success on 4 of 4 opportunities at the free throw line. Junior Dawson Bilski followed with 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists while freshman Eric Carl tossed in a career high 14 points off the bench. Senior Kyle Monroe and junior Tommy Lucca chipped in 10 points each, with Lucca recording a double-double thanks to 12 assists, which is one shy of the single game school record of 13. That has been accomplished three times, with the most recent by Jeff Johnston against Oakland on February 22, 1990. Junior Trent Bell and sophomore Carter Johnston had nine points each and Bell along with Lucca shared the team lead in rebounds with seven apiece.
In Sunday's battle with the Wildcats, Bilski paced the Huskies with a season high 22 points and four rebounds followed by White with 13 points in Sunday's game. Lucca tacked on six points and dished out a team high six assists while Monroe led Tech with eight rebounds. As a team, the Huskies connected on 22 of 56 shots from the field (39.3%), were 14 of 19 at the free throw line (73.7%), and 3 of 24 from three-point range (12.5%). The Huskies scored 32 points in the paint and the defense forced 12 turnovers which resulted in 13 points.
TOYS FOR TOTS GAME
Michigan Tech's contest against Algoma University (Ontario) Saturday afternoon at the SDC Gym has been designated as a "Toys for Tots" game. Admission to the game will be a cash or toy donation to the Toys for Tots program. Cash donations will be accepted at the SDC Ticket Office while toy donations can be made at the doors. Tickets will cost $5 without a donation and can be purchased at the SDC Ticket Office as well. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
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 10 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 (80.8%) and is fifth in the GLIAC in three-point baskets made per game at 8.9. The Huskies are also first in the GLIAC in overall field goal percentage (48.5%) and third in three-point shooting percentage (37.6%). Tech checks in second in assists per game (18.4) and first in fewest turnovers per game (9.7). The defense is second in fewest points allowed per game at 66.3 and are sixth in steals at 6.4 each time the team takes the floor. Kyle Monroe is fifth in the GLIAC in scoring at 18.7 points per game, 11th in rebounding at 6.9 boards per contest, and fourth in free throw shooting percentage (86.5%). White now leads the GLIAC in free throw shooting percentage (91.3%) while Lucca is tops in the conference in assists per game (6.6).
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Algoma University is from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and is 2-9 going into Saturday's game with the Huskies. The Thunderbirds' two wins have come at York 74-72 and at home against Windsor 95-86. Algoma has dropped three in a row, last playing on November 30 at Waterloo. As a team, the Thunderbirds are averaging 69.4 points per game while allowing 89.5 points per game to opponents. Algoma is finding the target on 38.2 percent of their shots from the field and 26.4 percent of their attempts from long distance. The Thunderbirds have competed against one other GLIAC team this season and that was Lake Superior State. Algoma fell to the Lakers 95-72 on November 26.
Nicholas Gehlen is the top scorer on the team thanks to a 17.8 points per game average followed by Peter Wetuvanga at 12.7 points per contest. Gehlen and Wetuvanga are the top two rebounders on the team as well, hauling down 6.0 and 4.2 boards per night respectively. Wetuvanga holds the team lead in assists per game at 2.5 each time he takes the floor. Brandon Dwyer is the next highest scorer on the club at 8.4 points per game.
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
Following Saturday's game, the Huskies will be off for the Holiday's until January 2 and 4 when they host Wayne State and Ashland University in GLIAC contests at the SDC Gym. Wayne State is 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the GLIAC going into the Holiday break. The Warriors will not play again until their contest with the Huskies on January 2. Meanwhile, Ashland is 6-3 overall and is still looking for win number one in the GLIAC after falling to 0-3 with a 69-64 setback to Wayne State this past Saturday. Ashland hosts Lourdes University on Friday and then Penn State Shenango Sunday before wrapping up for the break.