WARRIORS FACE OFF WITH INDIANA TECH FOR FIRST MEETUP OF 2023-24

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Rochester (11-2, 6-1) will take on fellow Warriors Indiana Tech (8-5, 6-1) in a critical WHAC showdown on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Schaefer Center. After three meetings last season, plenty of new faces on both teams have stepped in to change the matchup.

THREE KEY THINGS

TECH RETOOLS AFTER HISTORIC NATIONAL TOURNAMENT RUN

Led by 2022-23 NAIA Coach of the Year Ted Albert, Indiana Tech brings in a nearly fresh roster after an incredible run in the 2022-23 NAIA National Tournament that ended with the orange and black finishing as the country's runners-up. Several veteran players, notably NAIA All-American Rog Stein, would graduate from the roster

Despite the roster changes, Indiana Tech has multiple impactful contributors looking to continue the program's success in conference play. Guard Brady Titus has made the most out of a new starting role, averaging 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists this season.

BIG MAN HEALTH KEY FOR ROCHESTER

Rochester has had some trouble with its big-man rotation in the last week, with centers Stavros Polatoglou and James Fisher missing games due to illness. There's no question that the Warriors' tandem in the middle has been essential to their success so far this season, with scoring efficiency and rebounding metrics taking significant dips since the two players began dealing with sickness.

WALTERS CONTINUES EXCEPTIONAL SOPHOMORE CAMPAIGN

It's hard to talk about the Warriors without mentioning the success of sophomore point guard Gunner Walters, who's led Rochester in scoring in over half the team's games this season. In the Warriors' recent 66-63 victory over Siena Heights, Walters scored 13 points of his 19 points in the second half, alongside 14 points from guard Anthony Cukaj to help Rochester secure a crucial win.

COACH'S CORNER

Head Coach Klint Pleasant had this to say on matching up with Indiana Tech:

"They are a high-level team and play well on both ends. You have to play your best and minimize mistakes if you want to have a chance playing them on the road.

Our conference is very good, and ITU is one of the reasons why."

SPORTS INFORMATION SPOTLIGHT

Including Wednesday's contest, Rochester has had over ten steals as a team in five games this season.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

Madonna has taken the conference lead with a 7-0 record after #14 Lourdes was defeated 71-68 in overtime by Lawrence Tech on Wednesday. Saturday will be a significant day for the conference table, as the top four teams will face off simultaneously (Madonna at Lourdes, Rochester at Indiana Tech).

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics