UNEXPECTED HOMECOMING: Last week the Ashland University men's basketball team unexpectedly got to play on its home floor when the Eagles' two-game GLIAC-opening series against Ferris State was moved to Kates Gymnasium because of COVID-19 protocols in Michigan. The Eagles will continue what is now a four-game homestand this week when they take on visiting Grand Valley State on Friday and Saturday. They will be Ashland's last games at Kates Gymnasium until Feb. 5-6 as the Eagles are scheduled to play their next five games on the road.
LAST LOOK AT LAST WEEK: The Eagles were impressive in their GLIAC opener on Friday with a 74-52 win over the Bulldogs, who were picked to win the GLIAC North. The visitors earned a split on the weekend with a 69-68 decision that came down to the wire on Saturday afternoon.
THREE OF THESE: Last season, the Eagles ranked sixth in the GLIAC in 3-point percentage and eighth in the league in 3-pointers made, but they have placed an emphasis on outside shooting in the early portion of this season. Through three games, the Eagles rank fifth in the nation in 3-point shooting, connecting at a 47.4 percent (27-for-57) clip. They have hit nine 3-pointers in each of their first three games.
FOUR-FOR-FOUR: Freshman guard Hunter Shedenhelm has impressed in his first collegiate action. After scoring eight points in his debut at Mercyhurst in December, Shedenhelm earned the start in both games against Ferris State and was the Eagles' sharpshooter. He scored 16 points and shot 6-for-9 (2-for-5 on 3-pointers) from the field on Friday. The following day, Shedenhelm scored 12 points and made all four of his 3-point tries. He ranks fifth nationally in 3-point shooting (66.7 percent, 8-for-12). For the season, he is second on the team in scoring (12.0).
A.T. SHOWS OUT: After being held to just two points in his first two games of the season, redshirt-senior wing Aaron Thompson imposed his will on the game on Saturday, leading the Eagles with 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting. He went to the line eight times and drew a game-high seven fouls. Thompson has twice been named to the All-GLIAC second team in his career.
EFFICIENT BO: Senior transfer guard Bo Furcron shot 5-for-6 in Saturday's defeat to the Bulldogs and finished with 14 points. He is the only AU player to have scored in double figures in each game. Furcron, a transfer from Florida International, is shooting 52 percent (14-for-27) from the field on the season.
ANOTHER HOT START: Also off to a hot shooting start is sophomore guard Ethan Conley, who has hit a 3-pointer in all three games so far and is connecting from long distance at a 44 percent (7-for-16) clip. He scored 15 points in the Eagles' 74-52 win on Friday.
SOLID MINUTES: In the opening game of the weekend against Ferris State, with Thompson and sophomore guard Brandon Haraway in foul trouble, head coach John Ellenwood turned to his bench and got contributions from three youngsters. Sophomores Luke Metzger and CJ Karsatos and freshman Paul Burris combined for 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting in 36 minutes. Metzger in particular gave the Eagles three points, four rebounnds and two assists in 15 minutes.
KOCH RECOVERY: After being held without a point in the season opener against Mercyhurst, senior forward Derek Koch came out against Ferris State and averaged 10 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent (7-for-14) from the field in the two games against Ferris State.
LEADING REBOUNDER: The 6-foot-3 Haraway is the Eagles' leading rebounder through three games, averaging 5.7 boards per game. He has connnected on 50 percent (4-for-8) of his 3-point attempts and ranks fourth on the team at 11.3 points per game. Haraway is the reigning GLIAC Freshman of the Year.
SERIES VS. LAKERS: The Eagles are 18-23 all-time against the Lakers and the two teams are loaded with recent history, having played six total times in the last two seasons. GVSU has eliminated Ashland from the GLIAC Tournament in the first round in each of the last two seasons, once at Kates Gymnasium, and last year in Allendale, Mich. Each road team has won the last four regular season meetings between the schools.
GLIAC SPLITSVILLE: The Eagles and Bulldogs were not the only teams to split their weekend series in this new COVID-affected GLIAC schedule. All six teams in the GLIAC North split their series and sit at 1-1 while Grand Valley and Northwood are the only two teams in the league to sit at 2-0. GVSU toppled Saginaw Valley while Northwood swept Davenport.
FANS AND SPECTATORS
Based on the current COVID-19 climate, and in order to best protect institutions' ability to compete safely in GLIAC contests, the GLIAC COPC has adopted the COVID-19 Task Force recommendation that events will be held without spectators, bands, mascots, cheer teams and promotional activities. GLIAC administrators will continue to monitor and evaluate the COVID climate, and will make future determinations for fans and spectators at a later date.
