The Tiffin University men's basketball team play their last non-conference contest of the 2016-17 season, hosting the Salem International Tigers on February 9. For the weekend, Tiffin returns to GLIAC play, welcoming the Hillsdale Chargers to the Old Fort Bank Court.
Tiffin vs. Salem International
Game Details: Thursday, February 9.
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Old Fort Bank Court
Media: Free Live Video Provided By WTUD - tudragonradio.com
Series Record: The all-time series between the Tigers and Dragons is tied 1-1.
Last Meeting: The two schools last met on February 16, 2012. In that game, Tiffin defeated the Tigers 89-80. Joe Graessle led the way for Tiffin, scoring 28 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Tiffin's offense featured four players in double figures, as Karl Finley scored 17 points, Travis Spahr chipped in with 14 points and 10 boards, and Keenan Barlow added 12 points.
Opponent: Salem International (1-20) The Tigers are winless in their last 10 games.
Points, Points, and More Points: The Tigers are the worst team in the nation when it comes to surrendering points. Salem allows an average of 95.4 points per game.
Tough To Win Without Defense: The Tigers are dropping games by an average of 23.1 points per game, and are allowing an NCAA worst 43.1% success rate from 3-point land. The opposition has also had a field day from the field, hitting 50.4% of their attempts. The glass has not been kind to SIU either, being out rebounded by more than a dozen boards per game.
Players To Watch:
Victor Blakey: Averaging 11.0 points per game, Blakey leads the Tigers in most offensive categories, including field goals made and attempted.
Saquan Epps: Averaging 10.3 points per game, Epps is a threat from deep, hitting 41.7% of his 3-point attempts.
Tiffin vs. Hillsdale
Game Details: Saturday, February 11.
Start Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Old Fort Bank Court
Media: Free Live Video Provided By WTUD - tudragonradio.com
Series Record: The Chargers hold a commanding 21-6 lead in the all-time series.
Last Meeting: The Dragons and Chargers last met on January 21, in Hillsdale, Michigan. The Chargers were explosive from beyond the arc in the game, raining down seven made triples in the 1st half. The main culprit for Hillsdale's success was Stedman Lowry. The guard scored 31 points, with 23 coming in the 1st half. In a rare case, Tiffin was beaten on the glass, with Hillsdale holding a 43-35 advantage, leading to an 80-62 Charger victory.
Opponent: Hillsdale College Chargers (11-11, 7-9 GLIAC) The Chargers are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Riding the Offensive Roller Coaster: Hillsdale is 11th in the GLIAC, averaging 73.3 points per game. In their 22 games this season, the Chargers have scored 80 or more points only eight times. As a team Hillsdale is 11th in field goals made per game, and 6th in 3-point makes per game.
Winning When It Counts: Even though the Chargers are only a .500 team, they have beaten some of the tougher teams on their schedule. Hillsdale defeated Indianapolis (12-9), Carson Newman (13-9), Findlay (17-5), and Ashland (14-8).
Players To Watch:
Stedman Lowry: Averaging 14.7 points per game, Lowry is the Chargers' long range weapon. Stedman leads Hillsdale in 3-point makes and attempts.
Ryan Badowski: Averaging 11.8 points per game, Badowski is hitting 46.1% of his field goal attempts, and 39.2% of his 3-point attempts.
Nate Neveau: Averaging 10.2 points per game, Neveau is also the leading rebounder for Hillsdale, snagging 5.3 boards per game.
Tiffin: (10-13, 6-10 GLIAC)
Last Time Out: Tiffin dropped a tight game against Ohio Dominican, 82-74. The Dragons had their chances, but the Panthers were able to hold on with late success from the free throw line.
January Blues: The Dragons entered the new year on fire, but hit a wall midway through the month. Since their January 12 loss to Lake Erie, the Dragons are 2-6. In five of the six losses, Tiffin has surrendered 80 or more points.
Players To Watch:
Austin Adams: Averaging 15.3 points per game, Adams is also the leading rebounder for Tiffin, collecting eight or more boards 10 times.
Khaleal McCormick: Averaging 14.4 points per game, McCormick has been hot his last four games, scoring at least 15 points in each contest.
Juwan Johnson: Averaging 11.6 points per game, Johnson is the top threat from 3-point range for Tiffin, hitting 42.5% of his attempts.