DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball program (4-4, 3-1 GLIAC) will conclude the non-conference portion of its schedule on Tuesday night against Michigan-Dearborn (10-4) and then finish the 2017 calendar year at Davenport (8-3, 3-1 GLIAC) on Saturday afternoon.

STORYLINES
After a tough loss at Ashland to begin the week, Wayne State earned a hard-fought victory over Tiffin inside the Matthaei to end the week.  The Warriors are tied for the division lead with one more league game to play before the holidays.  However, WSU must first conclude the non-conference portion of its schedule against Michigan-Dearborn on Tuesday before finishing the 2017 calendar on Saturday at Davenport.

THE SERIES
Wayne State leads the all-time series 24-1 against Michigan-Dearborn.  The teams last met in 2001.  The one defeat came in 1982 at Dearborn.  The Warriors are 18-0 at home in the series.

Saturday's game will be the first-ever meeting between Wayne State and Davenport.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Michigan-Dearborn enters tonight's contest at 10-4 overall and 7-1 in WHAC play under fourth-year head coach Taylor Langley.  Jason Penn is the team's leading scorer at 15.4 points per night, while Mafiaion Joyner (13.3), Xavier Crawford (12.2) and Ashton Curd (11.4) are all scoring at least 10 points per contest.  Penn also leads the team in rebounding at 8.0 boards per game, while Curd is handing out nearly four assists per night.

Davenport enters this week at 8-3 overall and 3-1 in the GLIAC.  The Panthers are tied for the South Division lead with Wayne State.  Head coach Burt Paddock is in his 10th season with the program and has led DU to NAIA Final Four trips in 2012, 2015 and 2016.  Delano Smith is scoring 14.0 points per night to lead the roster, while Avery Hudson (12.0) and Robbie Bramhill (11.6) are both averaging in double-digits.

LAST TIME OUT
Wayne State hosted Tiffin on Saturday afternoon and the Warriors won 58-56 in what was a close game throughout.  The Dragons had a chance to take the lead with a three-pointer on their final possession, but it drew only iron and the Warriors secured the rebound and the victory.  It was Tiffin's last trip to the Matthaei as the Dragons are moving from the GLIAC to the G-MAC beginning next season.  Ronald Booth finished with a game-high 17 points, while Chuck Key (13) and George Spencer (12) both scored in double figures.  Marcus Moore grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists.

STARTING FIVE
Wayne State has introduced the same starting five in all eight games this season and those five have carried the team through the first part of the season and will need to continue that if the Warriors want to keep winning games.  The quintet have all scored in double-digits on two occasions, first against Kentucky Wesleyan and then in the league-opening win over GVSU.  Four of the five accomplished the feat at Purdue Northwest, while the only one who didn't, Latin Davis, Jr. finished with five assists.

DEFENSE WINNING GAMES
Wayne State ranks third in the GLIAC in scoring defense, allowing 66.9 points per game.  The Warriors have not allowed more than 73 points this season and allowed just 56 points against Tiffin on Saturday.  That is the lowest opponent total since Ashland scored 56 points on Dec. 10, 2016.  Last season, WSU started strong on defense, not allowing more than 71 until January 14th as the Green & Gold won nine of its first 12 games.

RAINING THREES
Ronald Booth's six triples at Purdue Northwest on Dec. 2nd, are tied for the fourth most in a game in program history.  The record of 11 is held by Kris Krzyminski (2006) and the Hall of Famer also has the second most (7), which he and Kendall LeSure (2003) both accomplished.    Booth joins six others to connect on six three-pointers.  Booth has 113 career three-pointers, and just entered the top 10 with his three treys against Tiffin.  With 27 more triples, he would be in the top five.

HISTORICAL VICTORY
Earlier this season, the men's basketball program won its 800th game (76-73 over GVSU) as Wayne State University (1956-present).  In the 100 years of basketball, WSU has won 1,217 games (first 60 as Detroit Junior College [1918-23], 120 as College of the City of Detroit/CCD [1924-34], and 235 as Wayne University [1934-56]).

NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS
In the latest NCAA stat release, Wayne State ranks 32nd in fewest turnovers (95), 38th in scoring defense (66/9 PPG) and 55th in turnovers per game (11.9).

800-CLUB
A pair of Warriors have surpassed the 800-point plateau this season as senior Ronald Booth enters this week with 886 career points, while classmate Chuck Key reached this milestone this past weekend (805 points).  Fellow senior Marcus Moore has 788 career points.

REBOUNDING EDGE
When Tristan Wilson went down before the season with an injury, the Warriors knew they would be undersized in a league where several teams roll out forwards and centers 6-8 or taller.  However, Wayne State has done a nice job of cleaning the glass, winning the rebounding battle in four of the eight games and only being out-rebounded 274 to 262 overall.

MOST IMPROVED TEAMS
Wayne State was one of the most improved teams in the country last season, adding nine wins to its 2015-16 win total and subtracting eight losses.

COACHING MILESTONE
With the win on Dec. 3, 2016, over Hillsdale, David Greer became the winningest coach in the 100 years of Wayne State men's basketball.  He passed his predecessor Ron Hammye's mark of 212 victories, which he collected in his 13 seasons (1988-01).

COMCAST/XFINITY
Every home men's basketball game in 2018 will be aired live throughout the state of Michigan on Comcast/CN 900.

LIVE ON WDTK
Kevin Brechmacher will call every contest live on WDTK - The Patriot (1400 AM / 101.5 FM).  Fans can also stream the action online at PatriotDetroit.com.  WSU alum Kendall LeSure, who played at Wayne State from 2000-04 and scored 1,068 points during his career, joins Brechmacher for home games.