**Each week, the TSR team will file the Mitten Report, an in-depth look at college basketball around the great state of Michigan.**
Michigan State (6-0)
The Spartans had their Tuesday game at Virginia cancelled due to COVID. They hosted Oakland on Sunday in their lone game played, and the Spartans won 109-91. It was an impressive display of offense that saw the team shoot 51.3% from the floor. Gabe Brown led the way with 20 points, while Aaron Henry (15), Josh Langford (13), AJ Hoggard (10), Foster Loyer (10) and Joey Hauser (10) all joined him in double figures.
Next week, Michigan State plays only one contest. On Sunday, they travel to Evanston to square off against Northwestern in their B1G opener. This is the first of twenty league games in their quest for a four-peat as regular season champions. The game will tip off at 7:00 PM on Big Ten Network.
Michigan (6-0)
The Wolverines completed their non-league schedule unblemished at 5-0. Their B1G/ACC game was also cancelled, so Michigan rescheduled to play Toledo on Wednesday night. The Rockets put up an early fight, but ultimately lost 91-71. Hunter Dickinson led the team with 18 points, while Isaiah Livers (Kalamazoo Central) chipped in 16. On Sunday, Michigan welcomed Penn State to Crisler for their Big Ten opener. It was a close game throughout, and they overcame a huge Penn State run to win 62-58. Hunter Dickinson led the way with 20 points and 7 rebounds.
The Wolverines are now off for twelve straight days. They will resume action in Lincoln, on Christmas Day against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. That game will take place at 6:00 PM on Big Ten Network.
Western Michigan (1-4)
The Broncos played three games this week, capping off a stretch that saw the team play five games in eleven days. On Monday, they got their first win of the season. The Broncos beat Adrian 62-42 behind 17 points on 7/11 shooting by Titus Wright. They welcomed Detroit into University Arena on Saturday, and the Titans got the best of the Broncos. Titus Wright again led the team with 14 points, while Greg Lee (13) and B. Artis White (11) joined him in double figures. The Broncos were doomed by a 5/27 three-point effort. On Sunday, they hosted Milwaukee and our TSR team was there. WMU had a strong scoring trio of Greg Lee (18), B. Artis White (17) and Jason Whitens (16), but it was not enough. Whitens’ sixteen points was a career high.
The Broncos begin MAC play on Friday when they welcome in Central Michigan.
Central Michigan (2-3)
After a horrid start to the season, the Chippewas have now won two straight games. This week, they defeated Valpo on Saturday 84-79. Devontae Lane led the Chips with 27 points, hitting 5/6 from beyond the arc. Travon Broadway hit 14/17 from the free-throw line to add 21 points to the tally. Meikkel Murray nearly chipped in a double-double with ten points and eight rebounds.
This week, the Chips have a pair of games. On Monday, they host St. Francis (IL) at 4:30 for a non-conference tune-up. They will then hit the road and face Western Michigan in their MAC opener. On Sunday, they will conclude non-conference play against Olivet.
Eastern Michigan (1-2)
The Eagles have played only three games this year, but in their lone game this week, they got in the win column. EMU bested the MIAA’s Adrian Bulldogs 95-35 on Wednesday. Bryce McBride led the way with 25 points on 7/11 from the floor and 9/11 from the free throw line. Chris James (19), Ty Groce (15), Miles Gibson (13), Yeikson Montero (11) and Darion Spottsville (10) all finished in double digits. Gibson had 13 rebounds and Montero 11 to earn both players a double-double.
This week, the Eagles have just one game on their docket. They were scheduled to play Valpo, but that game has been cancelled. As a result, their lone contest comes on Saturday. The Eagles will host Olivet at 2:00 PM.
Detroit Mercy (1-3)
The Titans had a pair of games this week, both against members of the MAC. On Tuesday, they lost to Kent State in their home opener. It was an 80-66 win for the Golden Flashes, as Kent was 29/60 from the floor and 12/26 from deep. Antoine Davis was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points, while Dwayne Rose and Willy Isiani added 15 points each. On Saturday against Western Michigan, the Titans finally got in the win column. Detroit won 67-57 as five Titans finished in double digits. Davis led the team with 14 points, while Bul Kuol (12), Marquell Fraser (12), Matt Johnson (11) and Dwayne Rose (10) all joined in on the action.
This week, the Titans begin Horizon League play with a doubleheader. They will welcome perennial contender Wright State to Calihan Hall for action on Saturday and Sunday. Both games will begin at 2:00.
Oakland (0-7)
The Golden Grizzlies may have a legitimate claim to the nation’s best 0-7 team. They have faced a gauntlet of a schedule that has included Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Purdue and Xavier, all on the road. This week, they travelled to West Lafayette on Tuesday and lost 93-50. Jalen Moore led the team with 14 points, but the Grizzlies were just 18/54 from the field. They gave Oklahoma State a better fight on Saturday night, falling 84-71. Rashad Williams had a fantastic showing, going 10/20 from deep for 32 points. The Golden Grizzlies quickly turned around and played in East Lansing against Michigan State on Sunday. An annual battle, Oakland fought tough and made it exciting. Williams had 36 points in this game, on 8/17 from beyond the arc. Moore added 26 points, and Oakland scored 91 points. Unfortunately, they allowed 109 points and lost by eighteen. That didn’t stop Coach Kampe from being excited about the future of his club.
The Golden Grizzlies begin Horizon League play on Friday when they visit UIC. Oakland will play the Flames on the road on Saturday as well.
MIAA Update
It was exciting to see that the MIAA teams released a schedule this week. Action is scheduled to tip off on Saturday January 23. Teams will play 4 or 5 non-league games against MIAA foes before taking on the seven-game sprint for the conference title. One of the more unique scheduling nuggets, especially for a league that typically plays Wednesday and Sunday, is that there will be teams that play on consecutive days in mid-February. There are league games on both Friday February 12 and Saturday February 13. A complete preview of the MIAA and what to expect will be featured as the season draws nearer.
Adrian College (0-6) was in action this week with four games. On Monday, they had an exhibition at Western Michigan. The Bulldogs fought hard but lost 62-42. Kendall Bellamy was the only player in double figures, finishing with 14 points. On Wednesday, they went to Eastern Michigan and took on the Eagles. Adrian lost 95-35, shooting 16/56 from the floor. Kendall Bellamy led the team with 10 points. This weekend, Adrian was back in action, as the Bulldogs visited Bluffton for a double header. On Friday, Bluffton won 72-71. Kendall Bellamy was 13/21 from the floor, as he finished the night with 30 points. On Saturday, Adrian allowed its reserves to play more minutes. Bellamy, Robert Warrick, Conner Pelham and Tyler Gillery, four starters on the team, did not play. As a result, Bluffton won 68-52. Nolan Ansara led Adrian with 17 points. The team is now off until January 18, when they will host Siena Heights.
Olivet College has yet to play a game this year, but Coach Sam Hargraves’ Comets will make their 2020-21 debut on Wednesday. They will travel up to Lake Superior State, as the Lakers will also be playing in the first game. They will travel to Central Michigan to take on the Chippewas on Sunday.
Lawrence Tech (2-1)
The Blue Devils hosted Huntington on Tuesday, and it did not go well for LTU. The Foresters dominated this contest to the tune of a 96-68 victory. Alek Ivanovic led the way with 20 points and 7 rebounds, but 25.8% from beyond the arc as a team was not going to be enough. The Foresters shot 51% from the field and 45% from deep, with Coloma, MI native Zach Goodline pacing the team with 25 points. The Blue Devils are off until January 4, when they will visit Spring Arbor.
Great Lakes Christian College (2-6)
The Crusaders had a tough trip to St. Francis (IN) on Wednesday. The Cougars doubled up GLCC in a 100-50 defeat. Michael Hill led the Crusaders with 11 points off the bench. GLCC was the victim of this impressive highlight reel dunk.
On Saturday, they travelled to Judson to take on the Eagles. They lost 83-72 as Trent Temple paced the team with 24 points. Next week, the Crusaders hit the road once more to take on the Asbury Eagles. This game will take place on Monday the 14th at 3:00 PM.
Ferris State (0-2)
The Bulldogs started their 2020-21 season with a road trip to Erie, PA. They squared off against Mercyhurst and were outmatched from the start. They lost 78-41 on Saturday, with Ben Davidson (12) and Mason Pline (11) reaching double digits. On Sunday, Ferris State lost 87-57. Pline (13) and Logan Ryan (12) got double digit scoring outputs. The Bulldogs are now off until GLIAC play begins in January.
Teams Not In Action This Past Week
Grace Christian (2-1), Hillsdale (1-0), Rochester (1-0), Cornerstone (3-1), Madonna (1-1), Aquinas (0-0), Siena Heights (0-1), Concordia (0-2), Spring Arbor (2-5), Davenport (0-0), Grand Valley (0-0), Lake Superior (0-0), Michigan Tech (0-0), Northern Michigan (0-0), Northwood (0-0), Saginaw Valley (0-0), Wayne State (0-0), Finlandia (0-0), All 19 members of the MCCAA (0-0)
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