FAIRBANKS – It's time for season tip-off! The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team officially kicks off its season this week with two midweek contests against the Pacific Union Pioneers at the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. both nights.
Wednesday, Nov. 5
vs. Pacific Union | 7 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Gymnasium at the Patty Center | Fairbanks
Thursday, Nov. 5
vs. Pacific Union | 7 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Gymnasium at the Patty Center | Fairbanks
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#NookNotes
- The Nanooks are returning five players from last year's squad. Redshirt senior guard Mike Miller, senior guard Jalai O'Keith, senior guard Jeremiah Hersrud, senior guard Cortarius Mingo and senior forward Jackson Krug all return for another year in Fairbanks. They are joined by junior Tyriq Luke, a guard who was on the 2023-24 Nanooks roster.
- The remainder of the roster consists of five transfers and four freshmen, bringing the squad to 15 players. Tariq Weiser, a 6-3 junior from San Jose City College, Joel Amaro, a 6-7 junior from Shoreline Community College, Davis Crilly, a 6-5 junior from San Jose City College, Luke Fotheringham, a 6-6 junior from Southwestern Oregon Community College and Xzavier Baker, a 6-6 redshirt sophomore from Eastern Arizona College make up the list of transfers on the Nanooks roster.
- Finn Gregg, a 6-0 guard, Marcus Stockhausen, a 6-4 guard, Deng Deng, a 6-5 forward and Jett McCullough, a 6-0 guard, are the freshmen on the team.
- Head coach Frank Ostanik is back for his second season in his second stint with the program. Assistant coaches Tobin Karlberg, Matt Wilken and Matt Martino also return for their second season.
- The Nanooks are coming off a 14-14, 10-8 GNAC record, which saw them qualify for the GNAC Championships as a sixth seed after ending the regular season on a five-game winning streak.
- Alaska will play 13 regular-season contests at the Patty Center this season while traveling for its remaining 15 games.
- Mike Miller earned a spot on the GNAC Preseason All-Conference team, the conference announced on Thursday, Oct. 23.
- The Nanooks were tabbed to finish eighth in the conference with 39 points in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Thursday, Oct. 16.
Meet the Opponent
Pacific Union Pioneers (0-1, 0-0 Cal Pac)
Head Coach: Landon Banks (1st Season)
The Pioneers, an NAIA team, have played one game this season, falling 91-70 to Nelson University. They were led by Yatsyn Anderson, who put up 13 points on 3-4 shooting, while going 6-9 from the line. Lance Rodrigues and Lorenzo Lentini joined him in double figures with 11 points apiece.
Pacific Union went 3-18 in 2024-25, going 2-8 in the Cal Pac Conference.
What's Next
The 'Nooks hit the road for the GNAC/PacWest Crossover next week in Anchorage. They face off against Chaminade on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 5:15 p.m., and wrap up the weekend vs. Hawaii Pacific on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m.
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