STORYLINES
The Warriors return to Detroit aiming to end a seven-game losing streak, which is the longest since a 12-game losing streak during the 2019-20 season, which ended with overtime win over Purdue Northwest on Feb. 13, 2020. Ending that skid will be tough as two of the top teams in the GLIAC visit the Wayne State Fieldhouse. The Green & Gold will host Lake Superior State on Thursday night and 17th-ranked Ferris State on Saturday afternoon.
THE SERIES
Wayne State leads 46-33 in the all-time series against Lake Superior State, which includes a 27-12 record at home. The Lakers won the season's first match-up, 73-63, earlier this month. The teams split last season's two match-ups to start the year in Sault Ste. Marie. The Lakers have won six of the last seven games in the series.
Ferris State leads 51-41 in the all-time series versus Wayne State. However, WSU is 24-19 in home games, but the Bulldogs won this season's first match-up, 104-73, on Jan. 10th. FSU has won five of the last six meetings with WSU's lone win in that stretch coming in the regular-season finale last season. That victory secured the GLIAC title for the Warriors.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Lake Superior State is 10-5 overall, including a 5-4 GLIAC mark. Head coach Steve Hettinga is in his 15th season at the helm. The Lakers have won four of their last six games, including a 78-53 win vs. Northwood on Jan. 22nd. Redshirt senior guard Malek Adams is scoring 19.2 points per game to lead LSSU, while senior forward Kemon Bassett is scoring 14.9 points per night. Redshirt senior forward Caden Ebeling is adding 14.8 points per contest, while junior guard Xander Okerlund is averaging 10.4 points per contest. Justin Fischer is the GLIAC's leading passer with 5.3 assists per game. LSSU is scoring 79.9 points per game and allowing 73.3 points per night. The Lakers are shooting 47 percent from the floor, 38 percent from behind the arc and 72 percent at the charity stripe.
Ferris State is atop the GLIAC standings at 14-3 overall and 9-0 in league play. The Bulldogs enter the week ranked 17th nationally and have won five in a row. FSU will play at SVSU on Thursday. Head coach Andy Bronkema is in his ninth season leading the team. Walt Kelser is the league's top scorer at 20.2 points per game. Four others are scoring in double figures. That quartet is Dorian Aluyi (13.2 PPG), Ben Davidson (13.1 PPG), Lee Higgins (11.2 PPG) and Logan Ryan (10.2 PPG). Aluyi is the team's top rebounder at 7.5 boards per night, while Jimmy Scholler is leading the roster with 5.0 assists per game. FSU is scoring 91.6 points per game and allowing 75.4. The Bulldogs are shooting nearly 51 percent from the floor, 44 percent from long range and 74.4 percent at the free throw line.
LAST TIME OUT
It was a similar refrain for the Warriors at Purdue Northwest last Saturday. WSU led 41-37 at halftime, but were out-scored 56-34 over the final 20 minutes to lose 93-75, its seventh straight defeat. Brailen Neely went 10-of-17 from the floor and finished with 21 points, while dishing out a game-high eight assists. Ray Williams, Jr. had 13 points and Antonio Marshall chipped in with 12 points. Tyree Martin was solid on the glass, grabbing a season-best 13 boards, including eight offensive rebounds.
WINNING DOWN LOW
Wayne State went 0-for-10 on three-point attempts vs. Northwood on Dec. 11, 2021, breaking a streak of 35 games with a made triple. The Green & Gold went 0-for-10 vs. Saginaw Valley State on Jan. 23, 2020. WSU's last win previously without making a long-range shot was on Jan. 11, 2018, vs. SVSU (74-57).
On the other side of the coin, Wayne State grabbed 51 rebounds compared to Northwood's 34 and turned 20 offensive rebounds into 19 second-chance points.
FIRST HALF WARRIORS
WSU has led at halftime in six games this season, including a four-point lead at Purdue Northwest on Jan. 22nd, but the Warriors are 1-5 in those contests. In addition, Wayne State has led in 10 of the 13 games this season.
MONEY MARSHALL
Antonio Marshall returned to the lineup earlier this month and has given the offense a boost. He connected on both of his three-point attempts against Michigan Tech and all five of his long-range jumpers versus Northern Michigan. For the season, Marshall is averaging 12 points per game and shooting 63 percent (10-of-17) from behind the arc.
WAYNE STATE FIELDHOUSE
Wayne State opened its brand new basketball fieldhouse against Michigan in an exhibition contest on Nov. 5th in front of a sold out crowd. The night featured several special moments including a pre-game ceremony that featured basketball alumni (Bob Holmes and Shareta Brown) and coaches (Ron Hammye, David Greer and Carrie Lohr), University president Dr. M. Roy Wilson, and Detroit Pistons Vice Chair Arn Tellem. Halftime featured a performance from Spyder Turner. Several community and University leaders were on hand, including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and the WSU Board of Governors.
1,000-POINT SCORER
Brailen Neely entered this season with 993 career points combined between his time at Oakland and now as a Warrior. With 21 points at Ashland on Nov. 12, he surpassed the 1,000-point plateau, which includes 795 points for the Green & Gold.
Both Neely and Darian Owens-White are approaching the milestone for WSU games. Neely needs 36 points and Owens-White needs 77.
2021 POSTSEASON AWARDS
Last season, Darian Owens-White was a First Team All-Midwest District and a First Team All-GLIAC honoree, while Brailen Neely was a Second Team All-Region and a First Team All-GLIAC selection. Owens-White was the first Wayne State student-athlete to be voted to the NABC All-District First Team since Tony Goins in 1998-99. Avery Lewis earned Second Team All-GLIAC recognition, while also being a member of the league's All-Defensive Team. It was the first time WSU had two First Team All-GLIAC selections since Mike Hollingsworth and Bryan Smothers collected the awards following the 2010-11 season.
NEW SHOT CALLER
Wayne State has a new man in the first chair for the first time since the 2000-01 season in interim head coach E.J. Haralson. This comes after the program's winningest coach David Greer announced his retirement on Nov. 17th.
DANCING IN MARCH
The Green & Gold played in the NCAA Tournament for the 14th time in program history a year ago, and for the first time since 2013. Head coach David Greer guided Wayne State to the national tournament on five occasions (2004, 2005, 2011, 2013 and 2021). The last time WSU won a game in the NCAAs was in 2005 when the Warriors topped Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 56-55, in Findlay, Ohio.
GLIAC CHAMPS
The Green & Gold won its eighth GLIAC championship last year and its first outright GLIAC regular-season title since the 1998-99 season. Following that 1998-99 season, WSU topped Saginaw Valley State, Gannon and Michigan Tech to win the tournament title.
LIVE ON WDTK
Kevin Brechmacher will call every Wayne State contest live on WDTK - The Patriot (1400 AM / 101.5 FM). Fans can also stream the action online at PatriotDetroit.com. Former Tartar/Warrior Andy Dold (Thursday) and former Warrior Chuck Key (Saturday) will provide analysis this week.
FAN POLICY
Capacity will be capped at 50 percent for home WSU basketball games moving forward. Masks must be worn indoors and social distancing must be followed whenever possible. In addition, proof of appropriate vaccination will be required.
