Tournament Central
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska men's basketball team opens its home slate this week when it welcomes three squads to town for the 2011 GCI Alaska Invitational. Lindenwood, Southwest Baptist and Tiffin will take part in the four-team tournament, which runs from Thursday to Saturday.
The Nanooks (1-1) open tournament play Thursday against Southwest Baptist (2-0) at 7:30 p.m. The following day, they face Tiffin (2-0) at 5:15 p.m. and wrap up the event Saturday with Lindenwood (2-0), also at 5:15 p.m.
“I think we'll approach these similarly to how we did last weekend, where we played back-to-back games,” head coach
Mick Durham said. “This will be good to see after two games on the road to see if we've improved, gotten better and a little more used to each other. I'm excited again to watch us play and really learning each day about this team.”
Alaska began its 2011-12 campaign last weekend with a 1-1 split at the Carl's Jr. Mac Martin Invitational in Chico, Calif. They fell 84-73 to host Chico State on Saturday, before coming back with a thrilling 88-85 victory the following day against San Francisco State.
Sophomore forward
Stefan Tica (Belgrade, Serbia/Panola College) was named the GNAC Co-Player of the Week after turning in a 30-point performance in the win over the Gators. He went eight of 10 from beyond the arc, including a perfect six of six in the second half. He averaged 22.5 points on the weekend and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
“I think he's going to be a pretty consistent player,” Durham said. “It will be interesting to see how he comes back Thursday. It's always tough to come back after a big game and keep that pace up, so I'm curious how he'll respond to that.”
GAME 1: Southwest Baptist vs. Alaska (Game Notes)
When: Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Live Stats
Live Audio (KCBF 820 AM)
Live Video (Free Streaming)
About Southwest Baptist: Located in Bolivar, Mo., Southwest Baptist University was founded in 1878 and has an enrollment of 3,600 students. The Bearcats enter Thursday's game with a 2-0 record after home victories on Monday and Tuesday versus Drury (97-83) and Barclay (117-71). Five players are averaging double-figure scoring through the first two games, led by Ryan Dougherty and Preston Guiot, who are scoring 17.5 points per game. As a team, the Bearcats are shooting 53.4-percent from the floor and have drained 35 three-pointers and are 46.7-percent from long range.
Conference Affiliation: Member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Missouri Southern is the defensing regular-season champion and Fort Hays State is the reigning tournament champion. Southwest Baptist was selected eighth by coaches in the MIAA preseason poll. Other members include: Central Missouri, Washburn, Northwest Missouri, Pittsburg State, Missouri Western, Emporia State, Truman and Lincoln.
Coach: Jeff Guiot (Pittsburg State) is 139-71 in seven seasons at the helm of SBU and has compiled a 357-164 career record in 17 total years of head coaching.
GAME 2: Tiffin vs. Alaska
When: Friday, Nov. 18 at 5:15 p.m.
Live Stats
Live Audio (KCBF 820 AM)
Live Video (Free Streaming)
About Tiffin: Located in Tiffin, Ohio, Tiffin University was founded in 1881 and has an enrollment of 3,600 students. The Dragons are off to a 2-0 start with a pair of home wins last weekend against Ohio State-Mansfield (105-46) and Cincinnati-Clermont (90-75). Four players are averaging double figures, led by Joe Graessle (15.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Travis Spahr (13.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg).
Conference Affiliation: Member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Ferris State and Findlay are the defending co-regular season champions and Wayne State is the reigning tournament champion. Tiffin was selected to finish fifth of seven in the South Division by the coaches in the GLIAC preseason poll. Other members include: Michigan Tech, Grand Valley State, Lake Superior State, Saginaw Valley State, Northwood, Northern Michigan, Hillsdale, Ashland, Ohio Dominican and Lake Erie.
Coach: John Hill (Heidelberg '70) is in this third year at the helm of the Tiffin men's basketball program and is 12-43 overall.
GAME 3: Lindenwood vs. Alaska
When: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 5:15 p.m.
Live Stats
Live Audio (KCBF 820 AM)
Live Video (Free Streaming)
About Lindenwood: Located in St. Charles, Mo., Lindenwood University was founded in 1827 and has an enrollment of 8,787 students. It was an all-girls school until 1969. The Lions are 2-0 this season with wins over Union (Tenn.) (82-77) and Logan College of Chiropractic (99-56) at the McKendree Classic in Lebanon, Ill. Kramer Soderberg leads the team in scoring (20.0 ppg) and assists (6.0 apg), while Alex Bazzell (15.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Tyler Ressel (11.0 ppg) are also averaging double figures.
Conference Affiliation: Independent, as it is transitioning from NAIA to Division II this year. Will join the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association at the start of the 2012-13 season.
Coach: Brad Soderberg (UW-Stevens Point '85) is in his third season at the helm of the Lions and has a 54-16 record during his tenure. He has a career 265-163 record in his 16th year of head coaching.
