FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team starts the New Year with a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference contests at home this week, as they host the Seattle Pacific Falcons on Thursday, Jan. 4 before taking on the Saint Martin's Saints on Saturday, Jan. 6. Tip-off on Thursday is slated for 7pm AKST, while Saturday's game is scheduled for 2pm AKST.
Where to Watch & Listen
If fans aren't able to make this week's games in Fairbanks, both Thursday and Saturday's games will be broadcasted and streamed live through the Alaska Nanooks Stretch Internet Portal (link posted above).
Last Time Out
The Alaska Nanooks return home after splitting on the road prior to the holiday break. The Nooks took a 81-66 decision over Concordia on Dec. 17 before falling to the Western Oregon Wolves 81-60 in Monmouth on Dec. 19.
GNAC Standings
The Nanooks currently sit in a five-way tie for fourth place with a 2-2 conference record. The Nanooks, Saint Martin's, Central Washington, Seattle Pacific and Northwest Nazarene have all collected the same record through four conference games this season.
Ranked Nooks
Eight Nanooks rank within the top-10 individually in the GNAC in nine different statistical categories:
- Rebounds
- Field Goal Percentage
- Assists
- Steals
- Three-Point Field Goal Percentage
- Three-Point Field Goals-Made
- Assist/Turnover Ratio
- Davis Kimble (8th): +1.6 (4.9 assist average – 3.0 turnover average)
- Offensive Rebounds
- Defensive Rebounds
All-Time Series
The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team is 16-62 all-time against the Seattle Pacific Falcons, with their first matchup coming as a 67-55 loss in the 1958-59 season. Alaska is currently on a three-game losing streak to the Falcons, with their last victory coming as a 79-75 victory on the road on Jan. 2, 2016. The last time the Nooks and the Falcons met was on Jan. 26, 2017, which saw the Nooks fall 72-69.
All-time against the Saint Martin's Saints, Alaska trails 40-45 with their first meeting coming as a 96-75 loss in the 1957-58 season. The Nanooks are currently on a one-game winning streak against SMU, as Alaska defeated the Saints 74-72 on the road on Jan. 28, 2016.
Scouting the Opponent – Seattle Pacific (7-4 Overall, 2-2 GNAC)
Seattle Pacific has won three of its last four games after a split last week. The Falcons lose on Thursday to Western Washington 86-80, before rallying for a 98-93 overtime win over Simon Fraser on Saturday. Sophomore forward Tony Miller led the Falcons as he averaged 22 points and 7.5 rebounds in the two games. Miller is fourth in the conference in scoring at 18.1 points per game average. SPU enters the week ranked fourth in the GNAC in scoring at 84.6 points per game and third with 39.5 rebounds per game. The Falcons are third in the league in field goal shooting (.483) and second in defensive rebounds per game (28.45).
Scouting the Opponent – Saint Martin's (9-3 Overall, 2-2 GNAC)
Saint Martin's took a split in its return to play after the holiday break, beating Simon Fraser 82-66 on Thursday before taking a 90-86 loss at home to Western Washington on Saturday. Junior guard Luke Chavez averaged 16.5 points per game in the two games and leads the Saints and is sixth in the GNAC with 16.7 points per game. SMU enters the week averaging 83.5 points and 34.6 rebounds per game. The Saints are second in the GNAC with 1.33 assist/turnover ratio, third in three-point defense (.335) and fourth in three-point shooting (.392) and three-pointers made per game (9.58).
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks page on Facebook.
