Preview: Men’s Basketball hosts Cardinals this week
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saginaw Valley State (2-9,2-9 GLIAC) | 34 | 28 | 62 |
|
Michigan Tech (8-3,6-3 GLIAC) | 22 | 43 | 65 |
| MICHIGAN TECH vs. Saginaw Valley State | |
| Dates LSSU | Friday-Saturday, February 5-6, 2021 |
| Times | 3:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. EST |
| Location | SDC Gymnasium | Houghton, Michigan |
| Radio | Mix 93.5 FM WKMJ |
| Online Audio | Mix 93 WKMJ | Pasty.net |
| Video Stream | Friday | Saturday - Stretch Internet Portal |
| Game Notes | MTU vs. Ferris State |
| Program | Friday | Saturday |
| Twitter.com/mtumbb | |
| Facebook.com/michigantechmensbasketball | |
| Tech's Record | 6-3 | 6-3 GLIAC |
| SVSU's Record | 2-7 | 2-7 GLIAC |
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech men's basketball (6-3) is in Houghton on Winter Carnival week to host Saginaw Valley State (2-7) Friday, February 5 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, February 6 at 2 p.m. The Huskies aim to get back to their winning ways after a pair of close losses to Ferris State last weekend. Fans can tune in to both contests by turning their radio dials to Mix 93.5 FM or logging on at pasty.net. Livestream and statistics are also available via Michigan Tech's Stretch Internet portal.
The Huskies feature the eighth best defense in NCAA Division II and have held their opponents to 62.1 points per game. Leading scorer Owen White (21.0 points per game) combined for 34 points against the Bulldogs, including his second double-double on Friday. Michigan Tech is tied with Northern Michigan for the GLIAC North Division lead, though Tech leads head-to-head.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS: Saginaw Valley State lost a pair of games to Wisconsin-Parkside last week on the road. Friday, SVSU allowed the Rangers a 7-2 run over the final two minutes of the second half and lost 71-65. The next day, the Cardinals led at halftime but fell 73-57. Despite the loss, Delano Smith shot 9-for-15 with 24 points. Myles Belyeu added 14 points.
Saginaw Valley ranks 12th in offense (63.8 points per game), sixth in defense (68.8 points against), fourth in 3-point percentage (32.3-percent), and 11th in rebounding (34.6 rebounds).
The Cardinals were tabbed to finish second in the South Division in the GLIAC men's basketball pre-season coaches' poll. SVSU returned nine players and four of five starters this season. Head Coach Randy Baruth is in his ninth year at the helm and lost one senior starter from a year ago.
Smith has the top spot on the team in both scoring and rebounding with 15.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest. Belyeu is not far behind with 14.2 points and 3.8 boards.
FOR THE HUSKIES: Kevin Luke is in his 27th season as head coach and this year's roster includes eight upperclassmen and six freshmen. The team was selected to finish second in the North Division with one first place vote. Owen White continues to be the lynchpin to the team's offensive success. White has proven capable on both ends and can shoot from anywhere on the floor. Carter Johnston leads the team with 4.3 assists per game with Trent Bell swiping the occasional block.
LAST TIME OUT: Friday, shooting woes and turnovers were costly as Michigan Tech fell 60-57 to Ferris State inside SDC Gymnasium. The Huskies clawed their way back to a one possession game with 46 seconds remaining but failed to summon a final 3-point basket and fell for the first time in six outings. Despite the loss, Michigan Tech featured both top scorers for either team. Dawson Bilski posted 24 points and hauled in 10 rebounds while White managed 18 points, 10 rebounds.
For the second straight day, the Huskies had a chance on the last possession but came up short, 56-54 to Ferris State in men's basketball Saturday afternoon at SDC Gymnasium. The Bulldogs limited their turnovers to 10 and the Huskies struggled from the free throw line as they lost two straight games for the first time this season.
LEAGUE AT A GLANCE: Kemon Bassett (Lake Superior State) posted a pair of double-doubles and earned his second GLIAC North Player of the Week as the junior transfer led the Lakers to a pair of wins against Ferris State and Northern Michigan. Brandon Haraway took the honors in the South Division for the first time in his career. Haraway averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 49-percent from the floor and 50-percent (6-for-12) from 3-point range in three games last week.
Wisconsin-Parkside has won four games in a row to move into a tie for first place in the North Division with Michigan Tech at 6-3. Ashland is alone in the top spot in the South Division at 6-3, after the Eagles handled Davenport for two straight nights on the road.
