Fresh off of an 81-60 win over Norfolk State on Sunday at BB&T Arena, the Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will take to the road for a showdown with the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday.
Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Game Information
Northern Kentucky University Norse (2-5 Overall, 0-0 Horizon League)
University of Michigan Wolverines (7-3 Overall, 0-0 B1G)
Tuesday, Dec. 15 – 7 p.m. (ET)
Crisler Arena (13,684) in Ann Arbor, Mich.
TV: Big Ten Network with Dave Revsine (Play-by-Play) and Stephen Bardo (Analysis)
Radio: FOXSports 1360 (1360 AM) with Jim Kelch (Play-by-Play) and Steve Moeller (Analysis)
Scouting Michigan: Michigan comes into Tuesday’s matchup having won five of its last six games, with the lone loss coming at SMU on Dec. 8, and an overall 7-3 mark. The Wolverines sport wins over Texas and NC State and their other two losses came to ranked Xavier and UConn teams.
Tuesday’s showdown will mark the first time Northern Kentucky and Michigan have met on the hardwood. The Wolverines are one of nine new opponents for the Norse this season (NKU Athletics Photo)
Caris LaVert is the unquestioned star for the Wolverines, leading the team in scoring (17.4 ppg), rebounds (4.9 rpg) and assists (4.0 apg). Duncan Robinson is second in scoring at 11.8 points.
As a team, Michigan ranks among the nation’s leaders in multiple statistical categories: scoring defense (28th, 62.2 ppg), three-point field-goal percentage (19th, 41.0 percent), three-point field goals per game (22nd, 10.2) and assist-to-turnover ratio (22nd, 1.54).
Series Stuff: Tuesday’s showdown will mark the first time Northern Kentucky and Michigan have met on the hardwood. The Wolverines are one of nine new opponents for the Norse this season, including Cleveland State, Detroit, Green Bay, IU-Kokomo, Milwaukee, Norfolk State, UIC and Valparaiso.
Last Time Out: A hot-shooting second half helped Northern Kentucky pull past Norfolk State, 81-60, on Sunday night at BB&T Arena. The Norse converted 74.1 percent (20-of-27) of its field goals in the second half and 57.4 percent (31-of-54) for the game. Jalen Billups’ game high 23 points led four Norse in double-figures. Cole Murray dropped in 22 points thanks to six treys, while Tyler White added 13 and Jordan Garnett chipped in a career-best 10.
NKU’s defense was stifling, holding the Spartans to a mere 26.9 percent (7-of-26) first half shooting and 34.5 percent (19-of-55) for the game. NSU’s two leading scorers Jeff Short and D’Shon Taylor, who entered the game averaging 18.1 and 15.3 point per game, respectively, were held to a combined 14 points on 4-of-19 shooting.
Fast Break Points
• NKU defeated Norfolk State, 81-60, on Sunday with four Norse reaching double figures.
• NKU shot 74.1% (20-27), including 77.8% (7-9) from three, in the second half against NSU.
• NKU outrebounded NSU, 33-30, marking the second straight game it won the rebound battle.
• Against NSU, four Norse reached double figures. Five Norse reached double digits in last season’s finale.
• NKU recorded an assist on 18 of 31 made baskets against Norfolk State. F Deontae Cole and G Tyler White had four each.
• Four Norse are averaging 10 or more points per game this season, led by F Jalen Billups at 15.1.
• Billups led the nation w/ 69.6% shooting last year, and is currently 15th nationally at 66.2% (43-65) this year.
• Billups ranks among NKU’s all-time leaders in FG % (2nd, .637), blocks (5th, 107) & blocks per game (11th, 1.1).
• In the last three games, Billups is averaging 20 points, 8.7 rebounds and is shooting 66.7% (26-of-39).
• Billups and White are climbing NKU’s all-time scoring list. Billups ranks 31st w/ 925 points & White is No. 39 (835).
• With 17 points at EIU, Billups eclipsed 900 career points. He now has his sights set on 1,000 and is 75 points away.
• White led NKU in made 3’s (66) in ‘14-15 & is 11th in NKU’s record books with 153-career treys.
• G Lavone Holland is averaging a team-best 7.9 rebounds per game. He is third on the team in scoring at 11.6 points.
• G Cole Murray has had the hot hand from long range, shooting 51.5% (17-of-33) from behind the arc this year.
• Murray is one of four Norse averaging double-figures this year, checking in at 10.0 ppg.
From NKU Athletics
