MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYS FINAL HOME GAME OF 2023 AGAINST MICHIGAN-DEARBORN

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - With winter break fast approaching, the Warriors (8-1, 3-1) will look to continue their strong start to the 2023-24 season with a home game against the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines (2-7, 0-4) on Saturday afternoon.

THREE KEY THINGS

THREE-HEADED MONSTER

The Wolverines feature a potent three-guard lineup that has led the team in scoring since the start of the new year. Guards Jackson Reynolds, Troy Campbell, and Joshua Warren average a combined 41.9 points with a mix of outside shooting and slashing. Reynolds currently ranks sixth in the conference in points per game at 18.5, while Warren slots at 15.

Rochester has had similar production at the guard spot this season, with Gunner Walters and Brody Parker averaging 30 points per game as the team's starting backcourt duo.

REBOUNDING MATCHUPS

It'll be a battle on the inside, with this matchup showcasing some of the league's top rebounders. On Michigan-Dearborn's side, junior Jimmy Breaux is third in the WHAC in rebounds per game at 7.3, while the Warriors bring in two members of the top 10; James Fisher and Stavros Polatoglou. The pair averages 7.0 and 6.9 rebounds per game, respectively.

WARRIORS SEEK TO IGNITE HOME CROWD

Saturday's game will be the last time the Warriors play at home in the 2023 calendar year, with Rochester not returning home until January 3, 2024, against Siena Heights. At home this season, Rochester has maintained an undefeated record and will aim to keep that going on Saturday.

COACH'S CORNER

Head Coach Klint Pleasant had this to say on the gameplan for the contest:

"We will need to be locked into our defensive assignments. They have several guys who can both get down hill and shoot. We've stressed all week how important it will be to play at a high level of intensity on the defensive end."

SPORTS INFORMATION SPOTLIGHT

Rochester's eight wins this season are the fastest the Warriors have reached that mark in a single season since 2016-17.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

It has been a competitive race as the first half of WHAC play winds to a close, but #20 Lourdes and #RV Madonna lead the pack at 4-0. Rochester is tied with defending regular-season champion Indiana Tech in third at 3-1.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics