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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
MBB PREVIEW

Men's Basketball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers Return Home, Host Pride, Rangers

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  The Davenport men's basketball team returns home to take on Purdue Northwest and Parkside this weekend at the DU Student Center. The Panthers (5-11, 1-7 GLIAC) match up against the Pride on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and against the Rangers on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

Montrel Oliver Jr. has had a big impact for the Panthers in his last two games. Against Grand Valley State on Thursday (Jan. 16), the freshman guard notched six blocks, tied for the second most in school history. Last time out, he scored 10 points against Roosevelt on Saturday (Jan. 18).

Also stepping up has been freshman big man Matyas Vrabel. Against Roosevelt, Vrabel scored a season-high 20 points and has finished in double figures in three straight contests.

Scouting the Opponents
Purdue Northwest (3-13 0-8 GLIAC)
Series Record: DU leads 8-4
Last Meeting: 2/15/24 - Purdue Northwest defeated Davenport 81-75 in Hammond, Ind.
About the Pride
  • Finished last season with a 13-16 overall record, going 7-11 in conference play. Lost in the opening round of the conference tournament to Northern Michigan.
  • PNW has a different-looking squad in 2024-25 with its roster comprised of 10 newcomers and five returners.
  • Leading the Pride is Collin Albert, scoring a team-high 15 points per game. The junior guard also averages 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists, while shooting 32.5 percent from beyond the arc.
  • The Pride have the fourth-best scoring offense in the GLIAC, pouring in 78.1 points per game. However, PNW has the worst scoring defense in the conference, allowing 82.1 points.
  • Their best win of the season came over nationally-ranked (No. 12) California State University, Dominguez Hills (96-86). PNW has lost six consecutive games heading into the weekend.

Parkside (8-8, 5-3 GLIAC)
Series Record: UWP leads 7-3
Last Meeting: 2/17/24 - Parkside defeated Davenport 80-61 in Kenosha, Wis.
About the Rangers
  • In 2023-24, the Rangers finished with a 13-16 overall record and an 8-10 record in conference action. Fell 84-82 to Ferris State in the opening round of the GLIAC Tournament. 
  • Josiah Palmer is the top returner for UWP from a season ago. The guard was a Second Team All-GLIAC selection a season ago and a preseason Second Team All-GLIAC honoree this year. He is averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists (leads GLIAC) per game. 
  • The Rangers enter the weekend hot, winning five of their previous six games and defeating two nationally ranked teams last week. UWP took down No. 4 Ferris State 78-66 on Thursday (Jan. 16) and No. 6 Lake Superior State 66-63 (Jan. 18).
  • Last week, Mtas Castillo earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He had a game-high three steals in the win over Ferris State and a clutch steal that led to a game-winning basket against LSSU.

Live Coverage
Thursday, Jan. 23 vs. Purdue Northwest (7:30 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, Jan. 25 vs. Parkside (3 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
 
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Players Mentioned

Montrel Oliver Jr.

#10 Montrel Oliver Jr.

G
6' 5"
Freshman
Matyas Vrabel

#15 Matyas Vrabel

F
6' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Montrel Oliver Jr.

#10 Montrel Oliver Jr.

6' 5"
Freshman
G
Matyas Vrabel

#15 Matyas Vrabel

6' 9"
Freshman
F