Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS

Men's Basketball 12/5/2024 10:38:00 AM Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers Open Conference Play at Wayne State and Saginaw Valley

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich - After a month of non-conference action, the Davenport University men's basketball team is set for its GLIAC opening weekend, heading to Wayne State on Thursday (Dec. 5) and Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Dec. 7).

The Panthers are coming off a 41-point victory over Kuper College (Dec. 2), which saw career-best performances from a plethora of players. Jovan Tucker led the charge, scoring a career-high 26 points while also recording nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks and five three-pointers.

Raishaun Brown netted 15 points on five three-pointers, both marking career bests. The senior guard has now hit at least three three-pointers in three consecutive games.

A pair of freshmen also notched season-highs in the scoring department as Matyas Vrabel poured in 17, while Joey Cabana finished with 16 points. Vrabel also grabbed 11 rebounds, which marked his second double-double of the season.

Scouting the Opponents
Wayne State (1-4, 0-0 GLIAC)
Series Record: Tied 7-7
Last Meeting: 2/10/24 - Wayne State defeated Davenport 84-70 in Detroit, Mich.
About the Warriors

Last season, the Warriors finished with a 14-15 overall record and a 7-11 record in GLIAC action. As the No. 7 seed in the GLIAC Tournament, the Warriors upset No. 2-seeded Lake Superior State 87-78 in the opening round on Wednesday, March 6.
Their top returner from a season ago is Rob Lee Jr. who was named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year in 2023-24, the first player in program history to receive the award. Lee Jr. was a Preseason Second Team All-GLIAC selection for the 2024-25 season. The sophomore is averaging 12. 8 points per contest, which ranks second on the squad and is a perfect 19-of-19 from the charity stripe.
Leading the Warriors in scoring is Carmelo Harris, who was a Second Team All-GLIAC performer last season. Through five games, the junior averages 15.6 points while shooting 48.4 percent from deep (15-for-31).
Only win of the season came against Tiffin on Nov. 23, taking down the Dragons 84-54 at the Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, Mich.
Picked to finish fifth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Scouting the Opponents
Saginaw Valley State (3-2, 0-0 GLIAC)
Series Record: DU leads 10-4
Last Meeting: 2/8/24 - Davenport Defeated Saginaw Valley State 108-103 in University Center, Mich.
About the Cardinals

In 2023-24, the Cards finished with a 13-14 overall record, going 6-12 in conference action.
Toodles Seal, a Second Team All-GLIAC honoree a season ago, was a Preseason Second Team All-GLIAC selection for the 2024-25 season. Last year, the guard averaged 18.5 points per game, which ranked third in the conference. Through five games, the senior is leading the squad in scoring once again, pouring in 16.6 per contest.
Freddie McIntosh is the sharpshooter for the Cards, shooting a team-high 45.5 percent from deep. The senior also ranks second on the team in points per game (14.6).
SVSU enters the weekend on a three-game winning streak, including a 26-point victory over Northwood on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Picked to finish eighth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Live Coverage
Thursday, Dec. 5 at Wayne State (7:30 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, Dec. 7 at Saginaw Valley State (3 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats

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Players Mentioned

#1 Raishaun Brown: G; 6' 1"; Senior

#12 Jovan Tucker: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#11 Joey Cabana: G; 6' 2"; Freshman

#15 Matyas Vrabel: F; 6' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Raishaun Brown
: 6' 1"; Senior
: G

#12 Jovan Tucker
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#11 Joey Cabana
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: G

#15 Matyas Vrabel
: 6' 9"; Freshman
: F