UMD Men’s Basketball vs Lake Superior State: First Road Challenge of the Season

UMD Men’s Basketball vs Lake Superior State: First Road Challenge of the Season

November 25, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Sports

UMD Men’s Basketball Team Preview

The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s basketball team is set to play their first road game of the season against Lake Superior State University on Tuesday, November 26, at 1:00 PM.

Recent Performance

The Bulldogs recently completed the St. Louis County Classic with two victories, improving their record to 5-0 for the 2024-25 season. They began the classic strong, leading the Michigan Tech Huskies 34-23 at halftime. Joshua Brown scored 20 points, contributing to an 80-70 win. Against the Northern Michigan Wildcats, a strong performance by Mattie Thompson, who scored 22 points in the first half, helped UMD secure a 79-67 victory.

Top Performers from the Weekend

  • Charlie Katona: 2 games, 16.5 points per game (PPG), 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals
  • Mattie Thompson: 2 games, 16.0 PPG, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
  • Caleb Siwek: 2 games, 14.0 PPG, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, perfect from the free-throw line (8-8 FT)

Scouting Lake Superior State

The Lakers hold a record of 6-1 for the season, with recent wins against Missouri-St. Louis and McKendree. This matchup will mark the first meeting between UMD and Lake Superior State.

NSIC Preseason Ranking

UMD was predicted to finish third in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) according to the preseason coaches poll. The Bulldogs received 172 points, including one first-place vote, after a strong showing in the previous season.

Charlie Katona’s Spotlight

Senior Charlie Katona was named UMD’s NSIC Player to Watch for the 2024-25 season. Last season, he started all 33 games and averaged 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He was also the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year.

Last Season Recap

In the 2023-24 season, the Bulldogs made their third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, reaching the second round before losing to Northwest Missouri State University. UMD finished second in the NSIC standings and lost in the championship game to Minnesota State Mankato.

Upcoming Schedule

The Bulldogs will resume play in December, opening their NSIC schedule on the road against Southwest Minnesota State University and the University of Sioux Falls. The game against the Mustangs is scheduled for Friday, December 6, at 7:30 PM.