2021-22 Men's Basketball Season Preview

2021-22 Northwod University Men's Basketball Preview

By Hudson Harkness

We are officially just hours away from the season tip-off of Northwood Men's Basketball. With a mixture of experience and new faces, second year coach Lonnie Griffin expects the Timberwolves to be a much-improved team.

"We have many goals for the upcoming season, but we have to be focused on a daily basis of how is this practice, how is the drill going to help us achieve our goals," said Griffin.

In his first year as head coach, Griffin led Northwood to a 6-12 record, during the shortened season. The team is led by senior, Jack Ammerman, who average a team high 16.3 PPG last season and was selected as Second Team All-GLIAC. Coach Griffin said that Ammerman has improved his off the dribble shot the most this offseason. The team will not only be leaning on Ammerman but will looking towards veteran players, Maurion Scott and Trevor Davis. Scott and Davis were both vital to the team last year as Scott was named to the GLIAC All-Defense team and Davis led the team in assists. Griffin will also be relaying on some newcomers for offense; transfer Kenny Ganley Jr, from Youngstown State, and freshman Ramelle Arnold, out of Cleveland.

The defense will be anchored by Scott and Evan Lowden. Lowden is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions. Scott is poised for another huge season on the defense side of the ball, after a season where he averaged nearly five boards and two steals a game.

"This will be a team that will battle for every loose ball and give 100% on the defensive side of the ball," said Griffin.

The season opens Friday, November 12 at 7 p.m. against a soon to be familiar foe, Malone. The Pioneers compete in the GMAC and Northwood will be making the switch from GLIAC to GMAC next season. The game should be a battle as Malone is coming off a 17-7 season where they made an NCAA Tournament appearance and are returning 6 players. Following the Malone game, on 11/13, Northwood will be taking the floor against #7 ranked Hillsdale. The Chargers are a team that runs their system very well and will be a challenge for anyone they face this season.