University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball begins its longest streak away from Screaming Eagles Arena when it travels to Michigan for a pair of region games, visiting Northwood University Saturday and 22nd/24th-ranked Grand Valley State University. Tip off Saturday at Northwood is set for 2 p.m. (CST), while start time at GVSU is 6 p.m. (CST).
The USI visits to Northwood and GVSU start a streak of five-straight road games and six of the next seven away from home. Following the trip to Michigan, the Screaming Eagles resumes Great Lakes Valley Conference action in January on the road at McKendree University (January 2), Lewis University (January 4), and Lindenwood University (January 6). After a quick stop at Screaming Eagles Arena to host Southwest Baptist University (January 8), the Eagles finish their marathon on the road with a visit to the University of Indianapolis (January 15).
Game coverage information for USI Men’s Basketball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on GoUSIEagles.com. The games also can be heard on ESPN 97.7FM and 95.7FM The Spin.
USI Men’s Basketball vs. Northwood, GVSU Quick Notes:
Eagles makes it 2-0 with win over Loras. USI won its second-straight game for the first time this season with an 85-56 win over Loras College December 9. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich led the way with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while junior guard Jelani Simmons followed with 14 points.
Polakovich has the hot hand. Junior forward Jacob Polakovich has had the hot hand for the Eagles the last two games. Polakovich has averaged 22.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest versus the University of Illinois Springfield and Loras College.
Simmons leading the way in scoring. Junior guard Jelani Simmons leads the way for the Eagles in scoring with 12.3 points per game and has scored in double-digits in all but one game this season.
Countdown to 1,000 for Rivera. Senior guard Mateo Rivera is 25th in scoring all-time at USI with 980 points, 20 away from becoming the 22nd Eagle to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
Eagles doing the job on defense. USI has done the job on defense the last three games, holding the opposition to an average of 62.0 points and a field goal percentage of 36.7 percent (58-158). The Eagles also have forced 36 turnovers and averaged 8.3 total steals per outing.
Henry stealing the show. Sophomore guard Tyler Henry is averaging 3.0 steals per game the last three contests, tying a career-high all three times.
Ending 2021 on the road. USI will finish the 2021 calendar on the road when they visit Northwood University December 18 and Grand Valley State University December 20. USI also is slated to play six-of-the-next-seven away from Screaming Eagles Arena.
USI vs. Northwood. USI trails Northwood in the all-time series, 4-1, dating back to 1970. The Eagles lost the first four contests in the series between 1970 and 1972 before posting their first win over the Timberwolves, 89-79, in the 1999 NCAA II Midwest Regional at the Sports Center in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Northwood in 2021-22. The Timberwolves are 3-6 to date in 2021-22, including a win over Illinois Springfield and a loss to UIndy from the GLVC. Northwood opened GLIAC action last week on the road, falling to Saginaw Valley State University, 92-82, and Wayne State University, 65-57.
USI vs. GVSU. USI and GVSU have split the two meetings in the history of the programs in men’s basketball. The Eagles took the first meeting, 112-86, in the 2001 Disney Wide World of Sports Classic in Orlando, Florida, while the Lakers defeated USI in the 2007 NCAA II Midwest Regional at the University of Findlay, 90-83.
GVSU in 2021-22. The Lakers are ranked 22nd in the NABC and 24th in the D2SIDA Top 25 polls after posting an 8-1 mark in November and December, including a win over the GLVC’s UIndy, 77-60. GVSU began 2021-22 GLIAC action with an 81-76 win at Purdue University Northwest and 80-69 victory at Parkside University.
