Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS

Men's Basketball 1/9/2025 10:50:00 AM Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

MBB Preview: Panthers Prep for Pair of Ranked Opponents

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Coming off its first conference win of the season, the Davenport University men's basketball team hits the road to take on a pair of nationally-ranked conference foes.

Last time out, the Panthers (5-7, 1-3 GLIAC) handed Michigan Tech its first conference loss of the season as Jovan Tucker sealed the game with a buzzer-beating mid-range jumper. In the win, DU saw solid production from its freshmen, as three of them finished in double figures. Joey Cabana notched a season-high 21 points, while Dylan Smith and Matyas Vrabel each posted a double-double.

Scouting the Opponents
#10 Lake Superior State
Series Record: LSSU leads 11-2
Last Meeting: 2/22/24 - Lake Superior State defeated Davenport 73-56 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
About the Lakers

Finished last season with a 23-9 overall record, going 13-5 in conference action. The Lakers advanced to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Finals but fell 86-81 to Ferris State (March 19).
Currently ranked No. 10 in the country, with both of their losses coming to teams ranked inside the top 10 in the country (No. 4 Minnesota Duluth & No. 6 Ferris State) by a combined six points.
Enter the weekend on a five-game winning streak.
Return majority of their squad from a season ago, including two First Team All GLIAC honorees in 2023-24; Tyson Edmondson and Kingsley Perkins. Perkins was also named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year last season.
One of the best rebounding teams in the GLIAC, leading the conference with 41.6 boards per game. Individually, Tyson Edmonson leads LSSU in scoring, pouring in 16.6 points per game, the fifth most in the conference.
Picked to finish first in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

#5 Ferris State
Series Record: FSU leads 6-4
Last Meeting: 2/24/24 – Ferris State defeated Davenport 75-64 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
About the Bulldogs

Last season, FSU finished with a 28-8 overall record and a 12-6 record in GLIAC action. The Bulldogs advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II Tournament but fell to eventual national champion Minnesota State.
Senior guard Ethan Erickson leads the way for the Bulldogs, averaging a team-high 17.7 points per game, ranking the third most in the conference. Erickson was named week five GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week, was a preseason First Team All-GLIAC honoree, and was awarded GLIAC Sixth Man of the Year a season ago while also earning First Team All-GLIAC honors in 2023-24.
As a team, FSU leads all of NCAA Division II in defensive rebounds per game (31.13). The Bulldogs are second in the nation in bench points per game (43.07) and blocks per game (6.4).
Only loss of the season came against nationally ranked West Texas A&M.

Live Coverage
Thursday, Jan. 9 vs. #10 Lake Superior State (7:30 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, Jan. 11 at #5 Ferris State (3 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#13 Dylan Smith: F; 6' 8"; Freshman

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

#13 Dylan Smith
: 6' 8"; Freshman
: F

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