PREVIEW: Huskies visit Timberwolves Saturday

HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech men's basketball begins conference play at Northwood on Saturday, December 4 at 3 p.m. Eastern. The Huskies split a pair of games against NSIC opponents last weekend while the Timberwolves split games against Illinois-Springfield (W, 79-71) and Indianapolis (L, 91-85) in the GLVC. Michigan Tech took both games of the season series against Northwood last winter at Riepma Arena in Midland.

LAST TIME OUT

• Trent Bell notched a double-double and Owen White scored 25 points in a 90-76 win for Michigan Tech men's basketball over St. Cloud State University Sunday at SDC Gymnasium. Tech bounced back quickly after a defeat Saturday. The team completed a second-half comeback against SCSU to move to 3-2 in non-conference play.
• Bell totaled 19 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in an offensive shootout in Houghton, shooting 6-10 from the field and 6-6 from the free throw line. White led all players in scoring and made 10 of 18 shots with five rebounds, a pair of assists, and one steal.
•  Eric Carl also contributed 18 points with four 3-pointers and Brad Simonsen provided a first half spark with nine points. Adam Hobson pitched in 11 points, two assists, two blocks, and one steal for MTU. Michigan Tech outscored St. Cloud State 50-31 in the second half to pull away late.

SCOUTING THE TIMBERWOLVES

• The Timberwolves finished 6-12 in the GLIAC last year and had its conference quarterfinal against Lake Superior State canceled due to the pandemic.
• So far, Northwood is averaging 77.4 points and 33.2 rebounds per game. The Timberwolves have been efficient on offense with 50.5-percent shooting overall, including 42.2-percent from beyond the arc.
• Senior guard Jack Ammerman (Ann Arbor, Mich.) had a pair of big games in Indianapolis, averaging 24.5 points per game to be tabbed GLIAC South Division Player of the Week. He shot 66.7-percent from the floor (18-27), 75-percent from 3-point range (9-12) and 100-percent from the foul line. Ammerman led the team with 16.3 points per game last season and was Second Team All-GLIAC.
• Northwood also returned veterans Maurion Scott and Trevor Davis. Scott was a member of the GLIAC All-Defensive team and Davis led the squad in assists. Davis currently ranks second in points (13.0 ppg) shooting 58.5-percent. Scott is third at 12.4 points and second in rebounds (6.8 rpg).
• DeSean Munson leads the team with 7.0 rebounds per contest. The sophomore forward has one start and averaged 19.1 minutes off the bench.
• Transfer Kenny Ganley Jr. transferred from Youngstown State. The sophomore forward is scoring at a rate of 8.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
• The Timberwolves were selected to finish fifth in the South Division in the GLIAC preseason coaches' poll.
• Northwood hosts Northern Michigan on Thursday night before the Huskies come to town.
• Lonnie Griffin was named head coach of the Northwood men's basketball program in April of 2020 after spending the previous six seasons as an assistant for Jeff Rekeweg. After losing four starters in the shortened 2020-21 season, Griffin led the Timberwolves to a 6-12 record.
• Northwood has increased its win total in each of the past five seasons and reached the GLIAC Tournament finals in 2020. Griffin has also spent time coaching at Central Michigan, Alma College, and Grand Valley State.

LEADING SCORER

• After leading the conference with 21.2 points per game last season, senior combo guard Owen White poured in 25 points Saturday to raise his points total per game to 19.2 through five games (fifth in GLIAC).
• White is shooting 49-percent from the field with 11 of 32 3-pointers (34.4-percent).
• He ranks second on the squad in rebounds (5.0 rpg) and averages 30.6 minutes per game (second).
• White ranks No. 22 on the Michigan Tech basketball all-time career scoring chart with 1,175 points. He needs 18 points to pass former teammate Dawson Bilski (1,192) this week.

SECOND-YEAR STANDOUTS

• Second year freshmen Adam Hobson (guard – Stoughton, Wisconsin) and Brad Simonsen (forward – Houghton, Michigan) have the potential for expanded roles after making positive impressions last season.
• Hobson appeared in 22 games and scored a season-high 14 points versus Wisconsin-Parkside on February 27.
• Simonsen appeared in 10 games for Tech and went 4-for-6 from 3-point range at Davenport on February 13.
• Through five games, Simonsen has increased his minutes to 11.0 and averages 6.0 points and 1.4 rebounds.
• Hobson has started all five games with 9.8 points and 0.8 rebounds per game. After averaging 14 minutes in 2020-21, Hobson has seen his time on court rise to 29.5 minutes.

FRESHMEN IN THE FOLD

• The Huskies will need to fill the positions of graduated seniors Dawson Bilski (All-GLIAC Second Team) and Isaac Appleby (2019-20 GLIAC All-Defensive team). True freshmen Dawson Nordgaard (Forward – DePere, Wisconsin) and Nate Abel (Point Guard – Beaver Dam, Wisconsin) joined the squad this fall. Neither has appeared in a game this year.

COACH BUETTNER AT THE HELM

• For 27 seasons, Kevin Luke led the Huskies as head coach. Luke announced his retirement in April after amassing 471 career victories. He is the school's all-time winningest coach. Longtime assistant coach Josh Buettner was named head coach one day later after serving 13 seasons as assistant coach and one as associate head coach.
• Buettner (a former Husky all-American player) hired Ben Stelzer as assistant coach. Stelzer is another former all-American for the Huskies (2011-15) and played basketball professionally in Spain before beginning his coaching career.

PRESEASON POLL

• Michigan Tech men's basketball was selected to finish first in the GLIAC North Division this season the league announced Tuesday in its preseason coaches' poll. The Huskies begin the regular season as defending North Division Champions with four of five starters returning, including CoSIDA All-American combo guard Owen White.

North

1. Michigan Tech 56 (6)

2. Ferris State 55 (5)

3. Parkside 34

4. Lake Superior State 32

5. Northern Michigan 25

6. Purdue Northwest 23 

South

1. Grand Valley State 49 (9)

2. Wayne State 42 (2)

3. Davenport 31

4. Saginaw Valley State 20

5. Northwood 18

HUSKIES AT A GLANCE

• With returning All-American combo guard Owen White and four starters back in the fold for 2021-22, Michigan Tech men's basketball hopes to again reach the NCAA Midwest Region tournament, where they fell 65-62 to Truman State in the Championship game last spring. The Huskies finished 15-8 overall, including 12-6 in the GLIAC North Division, and took second place in the conference tournament.

LAST YEAR RANKS

• Last year, the Huskies ranked ninth in the conference in scoring (67.9 points), second in defense (63.7 points against), second in 3-point percentage (37.4-percent), and 10th in rebounding (31.3 rebounds).