Northern Michigan Game Preview
Posted by kj on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
7:00. Wednesday. Streaming video will be here.
Exhibition games get bullet-point previews:
- Northern is an NCAA Division II team that plays in the GLIAC.
- Finished 7-20 overall last season, including a 6-12 record in conference play.
- They lost by 20+ points in both their games against the Spartan-vanquishing Grand Valley squad.
- The team returns only 4 players who saw game action last season.
- Has lost two of their top three leading scorers: Jake Suardini (15.9 points/game) graduated; Jerard Ajami (12.4 points/game) transferred to the University of Milwaukee as a walk-on.
- Top return scorer is 6′5″ guard Tyler Kazmierkoski, who averaged 13.0 points/game last year and is now a senior. He shot 37.3% on 3-point attempts and put up a healthy PPWS of 1.20.
- Top rebounder was 6′6″ forward Kyle Greene (4.7/game in only 18.9 minutes/game), who is now a senior.
- This was a poor offensive team last season, putting up shooting percentages of just .460/.323/.665 (2pt/3pt/FT). And they rebounded only 24.7% of their offensive rebounding opportunities.
In short, a loss–or even a close game–would be a much larger reason for consternation among MSU fans than the opening exhibition loss to Grand Valley was last year. Tom Izzo should have plenty of opportunity to mix and match line-ups and decide who joins Kalin Lucas, Raymar Morgan, and Goran Suton in the early-season starting lineup.
(My take: Chris Allen is very likely to start, with Walton filling the veteran sixth-man role. Speaking of Allen: If I were going to bet an over/under on these MSU player stat projections, I’d bet on Allen to score more than 12 points/game. He’ll be the designated 3-point shooter, plus he’s shown a knack for being able to create good mid-range looks at the basket.)
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6 Responses to “Northern Michigan Game Preview”
Spartalyticalon 04 Nov 2008 at 9:24 pm 1I like Allen to start as well this season. Walton is better off the bench, I believe, and the Lucas/Allen combo in the backcourt builds an solidifies toward the future.
No Grand Valley surprise this year. There’s a lot of expectations for this team, and it’s got the talent to match that. Though these exhibition bouts will be primarily opportunities to mix and match players and sets, this team will be looking to make a statement far different than their introductory flop last year.
Kurton 05 Nov 2008 at 1:07 am 2As someone who saw all their home games last year and has watched the Wildcats play for a few years, I’d like to say I could add something, but really I can’t. all I can tell you I have no clue what to expect out of NMU. They have loaded up on Canadian juco transfer talent. How that plays out, who knows. Marc Renelique comes in with some accolades. Kaz is a great wing player though and they’ve got more height this season thanks to some redshirt freshman. Last year they essentially have four guards on the court. So keep an eye on Joel Benson. But yeah, the score’s only as close as Izzo wants it to be.
Spartalyticalon 05 Nov 2008 at 9:10 pm 3I’ve caught about the last half of the first half, and boy does this BTN feed suck. It is better than nothing, however. I saw Durrell Summers score on what appeared to be four consecutive posessions – three threes then a layup. And one point shy of tacos in the first half – not bad.
Moothekowon 05 Nov 2008 at 9:27 pm 4Wow.. coach ejected in an exhibition game.. haven’t seen that many times:-). And BTN is awful… they are apparently woefully unprepared to handle streaming live hoops events…bummer.. last year was so nice when they actually televised the game. Hopefully they do it next year…
NorthernSpartyon 05 Nov 2008 at 9:44 pm 5Has anyone else just plain not been able to get the BTN.com stream? I can get the commercial and then nothing. Now it’s just a white box where the stream should be.
Did BTN not think there would be a ton of Spartan fans wanting to watch this game? It’s MSU basketball! Seriously!
God bless online radio!
Moothekowon 05 Nov 2008 at 10:14 pm 6Soooo.. exhibition game against an awful awful team… but man – did Summers look good tonight or what? I hope this is a sign of things to come.