ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team officially opens the 2017-18 season this weekend, as they head to Anchorage to take part in the third annual GNAC/PacWest Crossover at the Alaska Airlines Center this Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11. The Nanooks and the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves will represent the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while the Pacific West Conference will be represented by Chaminade and Hawaii-Pacific.
This year's GNAC/PacWest Crossover will be the third of a four-year agreement between the four NCAA West Regional teams. The location will flip back and forth between Alaska and Hawaii, as the Nooks hosted and won the 2015 Crossover before Chaminade hosted the 2016 Crossover. As per tournament rules, the two Alaska teams will never face one another and vice versa for the two Hawaii schools.
Schedule
Friday, Nov. 10:
5:30pm AKT: Chaminade (0-0) vs. Alaska (0-0)
8:00pm AKT: Hawaii Pacific (0-0) at Alaska Anchorage (1-0)
Saturday, Nov. 11:
5:30pm AKT: Hawaii Pacific (0-0) vs. Alaska (0-0)
8:00pm AKT: Chaminade at Alaska Anchorage (1-0)
Where to Watch & Listen
If fans aren't able to make this weekend's games in Anchorage, both Friday and Saturday's games will be broadcasted and streamed live through the Alaska Anchorage Stretch Internet Portal (link posted above). Please note that Friday's game versus Chaminade will have no audio commentary but Saturday's game vs. Hawaii Pacific will. Please be advised that these games are produced by the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Last Time Out
The Nanooks head to Anchorage after an early exhibition matchup against NCAA Division I University of Nevada at Las Vegas Rebels last Saturday, which saw the Nooks fall 73-97. Junior transfer Amenofis Mitchell made quite the statement in his unofficial Alaska Nanooks debut, as he led all Alaska players with 13 points on the night, shooting 6-for-11 from the field while also chipping in one assist and one steal.
Regional Season Starts Early
The GNAC/PacWest Crossover provides all four teams with the opportunity to play two NCAA West Regional contests that will play a factor in postseason tournament selections.
GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll
Last month, 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 Coaches Poll drops Alaska back three sports from their fourth-place ranking in the 2016-17 Preseason Poll.
Scouting the Opponent – Chaminade
The Silverswords were picked to finish sixth in the PacWest Preseason Poll this season after going 18-11 overall and 13-7 (tie-4th) in conference action last season. Chaminade returns only one starter from last season in forward Austin Pope, who averaged 12.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and currently holds a spot on the Preseason All-PacWest Team.
Scouting the Opponent – Hawaii Pacific
The Nanooks will have their hands full with defending PacWest Conference Champion Hawaii Pacific on Saturday, as the Sharks went 29-3 overall and 18-2 in conference play before heading to the West Regional semifinals last season. Although the Sharks were picked seventh in the PacWest Preseason Poll and won't return any of last year's starters, the team did add three NCAA Division I transfers.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks page on Facebook.
