FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team officially opens Great Northwest Athletic Conference play this week, as they take on in-state rival Alaska Anchorage on Tuesday, Nov. 28 in Anchorage before hosting Montana State Billings on Saturday, Dec. 2. Tuesday's matchup at the Alaska Airlines Center will take place at 7pm AKST, while Saturday's game at home at the Alaska Airlines Court is scheduled for 7:30pm AKST.
Where to Watch & Listen
If fans aren't able to make this week's games in either Fairbanks or Anchorage, both Tuesday and Saturday's games will be broadcasted and streamed live through the Alaska Nanooks Stretch Internet Portal (link posted above). For Tuesday's game only, residents throughout Alaska can watch the game live on GCI Channel 907 (HD) or GCI Ch. 1 (SD).
Last Time Out
Alaska is coming off of a tough eight days of competition, having hosted West Region opponent Holy Names in a two-game nonconference series at the Patty Center last Monday, Nov. 20 and Tuesday, Nov. 21 before heading to Bellingham, Washington to compete in the 2017 Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Western Washington last Friday, Nov. 24 and Saturday, Nov. 25. The Nooks fell in back-to-back days against Holy Names (81-82, 90-97) before defeating Capilano University on Friday (108-60) but falling to UC San Diego on Saturday (56-80).
Lendway, Kluting Named to Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team
On Saturday, two from the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team were named to the 2017 Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team after their two-game performance in Bellingham. Junior forward Joe Lendway produced 36 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks, while sophomore forward Michael Kluting amassed 29 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Ranked Nanooks
Seven Nanooks rank within the top-10 individually in the GNAC in six different statistical categories:
- Field Goal Percentage
- Joe Lendway (8th): .622 (28-for-45)
- Assists
- Davis Kimble (5th): 29 total (4.8 per game avg.)
- Steals
- Davis Kimble (T-9th): 8 total (1.3 per game avg.)
- Three-Point Field Goal Percentage
- Zach Hatch (T-10th): .500 (10-for-20)
- Trevon Eisenhut (T-10th): .500 (5-for-10)
- Three-Point Field Goals – Made
- Amenofis Mitchell (T-7th): 14 (2.3 per game avg.)
- Alex Baham (T-7th): 14 (2.3 per game avg.)
- Blocks
- LaDonavan Wilder (T-6th): 6 total (1.5 per game avg.)
Double-Doubles
Of the 17 men's basketball players throughout the conference to have registered at least one double-double this season, two Nooks make the list. Junior guard Davis Kimble posted his first double-double as a Nanook on Nov. 11 versus Hawaii Pacific, posting 15 points and 11 assists. Davis is only one of three players to register a double-double containing points and assists so far this season. Sophomore forward Michael Kluting posted his first double-double of the season on Nov. 20, registering 11 points and 11 rebounds against Holy Names.
All-Time Series
The Nanooks are 28-79 overall against the Seawolves with the first meeting between the two teams coming as a 79-65 victory for the Nanooks in the 1975-76 season. Alaska is currently on a six-game losing streak to the Seawolves with Alaska's last victory coming on Feb. 27, 2014 in Fairbanks (70-68).
All-time against the Yellowjackets, the Nanooks are 26-40 with the first meeting coming as a 61-93 neutral site loss in the 1972-73 season. The Nanooks are on a one-game winning streak against MSUB, taking their last meeting 83-74 on Feb. 9, 2017 in Fairbanks.
GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll
In October, the GNAC unveiled the 2017-18 Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches Poll, which tabbed the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team to finish seventh at the conclusion of the upcoming season. The Nanooks, who are coming off of a 13-16 mark from the 2016-17 season, earned 48 points to place seventh in the 11-team league. The rank in this year's Preseason Poll drops Alaska back three spots from their fourth-place rating in the 2016-17 Preseason Poll.
Scouting the Opponent – Alaska Anchorage (4-4, 0-0 GNAC)
The Seawolves are coming off the annual GCI Great Alaska Shootout, which saw UAA go 1-2 against NCAA Division I opponents. The Seawolves enter the week ranking second in the GNAC in free throw percentage at .754, as well as scoring defense (65.1) and rebounds allowed (31.0). UAA is led by Preseason All-GNAC selection Jacob Lampkin, a NCAA Division I transfer from the University of Pacific, who ranks fifth in rebounding (9.4 rpg), 14th in scoring (14.2 ppg) and 13th in field goal percentage (.588).
Scouting the Opponent – Montana State Billings (5-0, 0-0 GNAC)
The Yellowjackets are one of two GNAC teams that hold a undefeated conference record so far with victories over CSU East Bay (74-72), Sonoma State (67-61), the University of Mary (75-73) and Chadron State (95-82). MSUB is led individually by sophomore guard Tyler Green (19.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.2 spg, .548 3FG).
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks page on Facebook.
