Gameday Central – Valparaiso DETROIT (1/9/2016) -- The Titans have taken care of business so far at home and another big game is on the schedule as the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team welcomes defending Horizon League champion Valparaiso in a battle for first place in Calihan Hall on Sunday, Jan. 10.
Game time is set for 1:00 p.m., and will be televised nationally on the American Sports Network with Brett Dolan and Bob Donewald on the call. The game can also be seen on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN App as well as with an online audio stream as the Voice of the Titans
Dan Leach will be on the mic on 97.1 FM streaming audio.
Detroit has won its first three Horizon League games and is 9-0 at home this season, entering the game at 9-5 overall. The Titans have also won 12 in a row at home dating back to last year, the second-longest streak in the conference behind Valparaiso's 20, and are tallying 91.3 points per game on Dick Vitale Court.
The Crusaders – who won the HL regular season and conference tournament title last season – were the preseason picks in a lot of publications and media outlets and they have not disappointed with a 12-3 record and 2-0 mark in the HL. Valparaiso has a pair of double-digit wins in the conference defeating UIC (75-47) and Oakland (84-67).
UDM and Valpo are the only two undefeated teams left in the Horizon League.
Tickets start at just $10 and you can get them at the door or online
detroittitans.com/tix. DETROIT VS. VALPOThe Titans and Crusaders have met just 25 times despite the fact that both campuses are relatively close to each other, just 244 miles apart.
In fact before joining the HL, Detroit and Valpo met just six times and that was all between 1921 and 1927.
The teams have split the last 10 meetings and the Titans are 6-5 at home in the series.
ABOUT THE CRUSADERSValparaiso - the preseason favorite in the coaches poll as well as many publications - has won two in a row and five of its last six and enters the game at 12-3, 2-0 in the HL. The Crusaders defeated Oakland, 84-67, on Saturday and have also downed UIC (75-47).
Preseason All-HL candidate Alec Peters leads the team in scoring (16.5 ppg.) and rebounding (7.5), top three in the league in both categories.
Trevonn Walker is averaging 12.5 points, while Keith Carter is tallying 9.7 points and a team-high 4.1 assists per game. Vashil Fernandez leads the conference with 2.5 blocks per game to go with 7.1 rebounds and 5.4 points.
Valparaiso is sixth in the Horizon League in offense at 73.1 points per game, but tops the conference in scoring defense allowing just 58.3 points.
LOOKING AHEADThe showdown is finally here as the Titans host Oakland in the first #MetroSeries battle on the hardwood this season. It will be a Titan basketball doubleheader on Saturday, Jan. 16, with the women's team facing Northern Kentucky at Noon before the Titans face the Golden Grizzlies at 3:00 p.m.
NATIONAL DUNK FOR CJJunior
Chris Jenkins provided some highlights for the nation to see against UIC this past Friday as his put back dunk was rated No. 5 by Fox Sports Live and No. 8 by Sportscenter on their top 10 plays of the day.
OFF TO A QUICK STARTThe Titans are now 3-0 in the Horizon League for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign when UDM started 4-0.
PERFECT AT HOMEDetroit is undefeated at home at 9-0 and has won 12 in a row on Dick Vitale Court dating back to last season.
The longest home winning streak in the Horizon League is currently Valparaiso at 20 straight.
POINTS, POINTS, POINTSThe Titans have had great offense all year as they are 12th in the nation - and second in the HL - in scoring averaging 85.4 points per game (as of Jan. 9). UDM trails Oakland in the HL by just a short margin (85.6).
The Titans have also scored 90 or more points five times this year, the most since registering 90 or more five times during the 1991-92 campaign.
OFFENSIVE ATTACKDetroit has scored at least 75 points in 11 of its 14 games, including 88 or more seven times and 90 or more on five occasions.
UDM has also made at least 30 field goals six times this season and has posted 39 twice on the year (UM-Dearborn, at Oral Roberts).
The Titans are currently second in the Horizon League in shooting at 45.8 percent on the year, just a hair behind Milwaukee's 46.0.
Against UM-Dearborn, the Titans were 39-of-68 from the field (57.4%), including 15-of-27 (55.6%) from behind the arc.
In the win over Toledo, Detroit shot 49.1 percent (27-of-55) from the field and 48.1 percent (13-of-27) from three, while in the win over Bowling Green, the Titans shot 47.1 percent (32-of-68) with 13 triples.
In the win over UCF, the Titans shot 51.7 percent (30-of-58), while in the triumph over Youngstown State, UDM was 33-of-69 (47.8%) and 25-of-29 (86.2%) at the line.
Against Cleveland State, Detroit shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) and was 28-of-42 at the free throw line, while in the win over UIC, the Titans were 26-of-57 (45.6%) and 31-of-39 (79.5%) at the line.
WHO WILL SCORE?Detroit has had five different Titans lead the team in scoring in its 14 games.
UDM has also had six different players net 20 or more in a contest, four players averaging double figures and four or more players in double figures 10 times in a game.
The depth was evident in the win over Bowling Green as Detroit led by double digits in the second half before the team's leading scorer
Chris Jenkins even netted his first point on a free throw to make it 64-52 with 11:22 left.
WE LOVE THE 80'SDid you know that Detroit is a remarkable 54-5 overall when scoring 80 or more points under head coach
Ray McCallum, including 27-3 against Horizon League foes.
Year-by-Year Mark When Reaching 802015-16 (7-1)
2014-15 (6-0)
2013-14 (3-2)
2012-13 (14-1)
2011-12 (9-0)
2010-11 (8-1)
2009-10 (7-0)
BLOCK PARTYThe Titans have recorded four or more blocks nine times this year, and they are second in the Horizon League and 91st in the nation with 4.4 blocks per game.
That is all without a single athlete on the roster taller than 6-8.
BOMBS AWAYDetroit was 15-of-27 from three against UM-Dearborn on Nov. 23, the most since knocking down 15 against DePaul in 2007.
UDM also tallied double-digit triples:11 against Central State
11 at nationally-ranked Vanderbilt
13 versus Toledo
13 against Bowling Green
12 versus UCF
11 at Western Kentucky
Last year, UDM hit 10 or more 3-pointers just three times all season.
The Titans are currently 25th in the nation in three-point field-goal percentage (39.3%) and 29th in three-point field goals per game (9.3), second in the HL in both categories.
CLEANING THE GLASSDetroit totaled a season-high 53 rebounds in the win over Youngstown State, outrebounding the Penguins by 33 (53-20).
The 53 boards were the most since grabbing 55 against Niagara in a 96-77 win in 2010.
It was the third time this season Detroit has recorded 45 or more boards as it had 52 against Central State and 45 at Oral Roberts.
Detroit has now outrebounded its opponent in four straight games, six of the last seven and a total of nine times on the year.
THE EXTRA PASSThe Titans totaled 18 assists in their win over Youngstown State, tied for the second most on the season with the 18 against Central State and behind the 22 versus UM-Dearborn.
Detroit is currently fourth in the HL in assists at 13.6 per contest and has accumulated double-digit assists 12 times already.
MAKING THEM COUNTThe Titans three ball may not be falling for them in the last few games, but they are attacking the rim and getting a chance at some easy points.
Detroit is coming off a 31-of-39 (79.5%) effort at the free throw line in the win over UIC, setting a season high in made free throws.
That was after going 25-of-29 (86.2%) in the win over Youngstown State and 28-of-42 (66.7%) in the triumph over Cleveland State.
The 42 free throws were the most since attempting 43 against Stony Brook in 2013.
Detroit has now made 20 or more free throws five times on the season and in the last three games, the Titans are 84-of-110 at the free-throw line, a 76.4 percent clip, while their opponents are just 56-of-83 (67.5%).
I SEE PARISSophomore
Paris Bass - who missed the first seven games due to a suspension for violation of team rules - has been a force on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
He had 17 points his last time out against UIC and posted his fifth career double-double with 28 points - 20 in the second half - 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals against Cleveland State.
The 13 boards and four steals were one shy of his career high, while the three blocks tied his career best.
BASS IS BACKSophomore
Paris Bass returned to action in a big way against Bowling Green as the reigning HL Freshman of the Year posted a team-high 25 points, while tallying eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. In his second game, he tallied 23 points in a win over UCF.
It was the first time he recorded back-to-back 20-point games in his career.
Since he returned to the court, he has recorded double figures in six of his seven contests, pulled down seven rebounds in four games and has had three assists or more five times, not to mention three 20-point outings and a double-double.
He is averaging 18.0 ppg., 6.1 rpg., and 2.9 apg., and would rank third in the HL in scoring if he had enough games to qualify.
WILSON!, OH WILSON!Senior
Anton Wilson was a man on a mission in the HL opening win over Youngstown State as he posted a career-high 34 points – including 26 in the second half.
Wilson was a career-best 10-of-18 shooting and 11-of-11 at the line with three treys.
Known as a 3-point sharpshooter, Wilson tied his career high of 21 before he even hit his first 3-pointer of the game.
The 34 points were the most by a Titan since
Juwan Howard Jr. had 34 against Valpo in 2014.
He is one of five HL players to net 30 or more in a game this season with his 34 markers tying for the third most in the HL.
WHAT A SENIOR YEARSenior
Anton Wilson now has 13 double-digit scoring games on the year with a pair of 20-point efforts.
Besides his career-high 34 vs. Youngstown State, he led Detroit with 20 markers at Pitt.
He is currently leading the team in scoring at 15.2 ppg., - fifth in the HL. His 41 treys lead UDM and his 2.1 three-point field goals per game is third in the HL and 35th in the nation.
BASS NAMED TO LOU HENSON AWARD MIDSEASON WATCH LISTSophomore
Paris Bass was selected to the Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List, and he is still a candidate for the award as he was recently named to the Mid-Season Watch List.
He is one of four Horizon League players on the list joining Oakland's Kay Felder, Milwaukee's Matt Tiby and Valpo's Alec Peters.
The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the Mid-Major player in Division I college basketball.
The award is named in honor of Lou Henson who coached 41 years. When he left the game in 2005 he was sixth all-time in career Division I wins with 779.
He is the winningest coach at both Illinois and New Mexico State. He is one of only 12 coaches in the history of the game to take two schools to the Final Four.
The recipient of the award will be announced at the CollegeInsider.com Award Presentation on April 1 in Houston, site of the men's Division I national championship.
A HELPING HANDSophomore
Paris Bass tied his career high with five assists at Western Kentucky, while junior
Chris Jenkins had career-high five assists against Youngstown State and freshman
Josh McFolley handed out a season-high six against Cleveland State.
GIVE ME A GRANTJunior
Matthew Grant came off the bench for some valuable minutes against Youngstown State as he finished with 12 points, two rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes.
It was one point off his season high of 13 against UM-Dearborn and the 16th time in his career he has been in double figures.
JA-LETHALSophomore
Jaleel Hogan has been in double figures seven times on the year and had his first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds vs. Bowling Green.
He recently registered a career-high 17 points against Youngstown State, where he was 7-of-7 from the field with five boards.
He recorded a then-career-high 16 points at Pittsburgh as he was 7-of-12 from the field with five rebounds. He also had 15-points - in just 15 minutes of action due to foul trouble - at Oral Roberts, where he was 7-of-11 shooting.
He is third on the team with 4.3 rebounds and fourth with 9.6 points per game, all while shooting 57.4 percent, second in the HL.
PAINT MANWith his strength, sophomore
Jaleel Hogan is uncanny in the paint showcased by his career 59.8 (116-of-194) field-goal percentage.
Last season, he ended the year with a blistering 62.0 field goal percentage (62-of-100), which would rank third in school history for a single season, but was 25 shot attempts shy from qualifying for that mark.
TRIPLE 3 SPECIALITYAnton Wilson started the season with back-to-back games hitting four 3-pointers, and he added another game with four treys at #16/13 Vanderbilt. He also hit a season-high five treys vs. Bowling Green, one off his career best.
Wilson has now made a triple in all 14 games this season.
He also has 14 career game with four or more treys, 76 career games with at least two 3-pointers and 27 games knocking down at least three treys.
#1 SHOOTING 3'SSharpshooting senior
Anton Wilson continues to make his name show up in the Titan record books.
He shot 41.8 percent from behind the arc last season, a number that ranks sixth in school history as he was 56-of-134 from long distance.
This season, he is hitting the three at 43.2 percent (41-of-95).
His 41 3-pointers on the season are 15 behind his career-high of 56 last year.
With his four triples in the season opener, he passed Titan legend and 12-year NBA veteran Willie Green and is now sixth in school history with 160 career 3-pointers.
He is also fifth in UDM history with a 40.7 career three-point field goal percentage.
Titan Career 3-Point Field Goal Leaders1. Rashad Phillips, 1998-01 - 348
2. Desmond Ferguson, 1998-00 - 235
3. Dwayne Kelley, 1990-93 - 224
4. Jon Goode, 2005-08 - 202
5. Greg Grays, 2001-02 - 169
6.
Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - 160
Titan Career 3-Point Field Goal Percentage Leaders1. Archie Tullos, 1985-88 - .433
2. Bill Wood, 1987-90 - .415
3. Tony Tolbert, 1993-94 - .409
Jon Goode, 2005-08 - .409
5.
Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - .407
EASY POINTSSenior
Anton Wilson is a career 82.4 percent shooter at the free throw line connecting on 103-of-125 career attempts, including 36-of-44 (81.8%) this season - fifth in the HL.
He does not have enough free throw attempts to qualify for the school record book, or his career percentage would rank fourth.
DOUBLE-UP CHRISJunior
Chris Jenkins has scored in double figures nine times already, which includes two 20-point games, a career high in points and three double-doubles.
He netted his career-high 26 points with 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists in the win over UCF.
He has also tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds against Toledo - where he also has a career-best four blocks, and that came after tallying 14 points and six rebounds in the win over Northeastern.
At No. 16/13 Vanderbilt, he netted 11 points hitting three 3-pointers and registered a career-high four steals. At Oral Roberts, Jenkins had 16 points and a career-tying 13 rebounds, and he started the streak with a then career-high 25 points against UM-Dearborn.
The do-it-all Titan not only has the eight games in double figures, but he also has 10 games with five or more rebounds, seven games with two or more assists and four games with two or more steals.
He is currently second on the team and is 10th in the HL in scoring (13.2), while standing second on the team and ninth in the league in field-goal percentage (49.6%).
He is also among the team leaders and the top 15 in the Horizon League in:
Free throw percentage (86.2%) - 3rd
Rebounding (6.6) - 8th
Steals (1.2) - 12tth
3-Point Field Goal Percentage (41.3%) - 10th
GERALD'S CASEFreshman
Gerald Blackshear is coming off back-to-back double-digit scoring games for the first time this season.
In his Horizon League debut, he posted six points with eight rebounds, a block and a steal in just 17 minutes against Youngstown State. He tallied 10 points and five boards versus Cleveland State and 11 points with six caroms in the win over UIC.
He had a career night posting 12 points and five rebounds with a block in the win over Northeastern back in December.
In his collegiate debut, he posted a game-high 10 rebounds to go with six points, three assists and three steals against Central State and tied his career high with 10 boards at EMU.
Some other good games include, seven caroms with seven points at Oral Roberts and six points and seven boards versus UCF.
Blackshear has now recorded seven or more rebounds six times this year and is second on the team and 13th in the Horizon League in rebounding at 5.9 per game.
TOTAL CONTROLSenior
Carlton Brundidge has run the offense with excellence so far shown by his 1.8-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio on the year, seventh in the HL.
He has 35 assists against just 19 turnovers.
GREAT START FOR CBCarlton Brundidge has jumped out to a quick start in his final year of eligibility.
He currently leads the team with 2.5 assists - 13th in the Horizon League - and is fifth on the team in scoring (8.9) and rebounding (3.3).
In the last two games, he has recorded 11-points, four rebounds, two assists and two-steals against Cleveland State and 15 points, three boards and three assists against UIC.
Brundidge posted a career-best 23 points at Oral Roberts - 17 in the second half - where he was a career-high 10-of-19 from the field with five boards and two assists.
He had 14 points in the season opener and followed that up with 12 points at Pittsburgh. Against UM-Dearborn, he scored 10 points and handed out a career-high nine helpers.
HIGH-SCORING ROOKIEFreshman
Josh McFolley has scored in double figures in eight of his 13 games, including a season-high 20-points in the victory over Northeastern, 19 at Eastern Michigan and 16 in the win versus Toledo.
He was 8-of-15 against the Huskies and 6-of-11 against the Rockets. He also had three steals versus UT, including a steal with 21 seconds left that led to a layup to help seal the win.
He handed out a season-high six assists in the win over Cleveland State.
He is currently third on the team with 11.4 ppg. - third among HL rookies and 21st in the conference.
He leads all HL freshmen in three-point field goals per game (2.3) and is second in three-point field goal percentage (40.5%).
RINGING THE THREEFreshman
Josh McFolley's last six games have seen him make 16 field goals (17-of-49), 15 of which have been from three (15-of-35).
He is currently second on the team with 30 three-point field goals and fifth in the HL with 2.3 per game.
JUST A GOOD GUYAnton Wilson has put in a lot of work on the court, but he was honored for his actions off the hardwood as the senior was announced as a nominee for the 2016 Allstate NABC Good Works Teams®.
Wilson is one of just four Horizon League players to earn a nomination along with Milwaukee's Justin Jordan, Oakland's Max Hooper and Valparaiso's Alec Peters. A total of 154 men's players were honored in all.
Wilson has taken part in a number of community service projects in the past year, including reading projects at local schools and The Manhood Project. He is also a member of the University of Detroit Mercy Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
In its fourth year, the Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® recognize players at all levels of college basketball who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. From establishing nonprofits that provide youth with the necessary tools to become leaders of tomorrow, to raising awareness around pertinent issues that could save lives, these student-athletes exhibit leadership skills both on and off the court.
