ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State men's basketball team finally hits the hardwood in 2022 after a pair of postponed games this Thursday (Jan. 13) in a key conference and regional showdown with the Ferris State Bulldogs. Tip-off is set for 8 PM at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena and the first 250 students will get free t-shirts for Laker Blue Night, presented by Meadows Crossing.
 
This is the first time the Lakers host Ferris State since January 3, 2019, having traveled to Big Rapids three times during that stretch. The Lakers split their two meetings at Jim Wink Arena last season, winning the second game 70-51 to snap a seven-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. They'll look to build on that to begin a winning streak over their arch rivals. GVSU trails the lifetime series, 61-53, in a storied history that dates back to 1968.
 
The showdown will be strength vs. strength as the Bulldogs enter with the leading scoring average in the GLIAC at 91.4 while the Lakers are tied for the fewest points allowed per game with 66.7. The Lakers also rank first in opponent shooting percentage, allowing a 40.4 clip while Ferris State ranks second at 41.3, on the offensive side the Bulldogs lead the conference with a 51.7 field goal percentage with GVSU in second at 49.4%. These are also the top two teams in the league in rebounding margin; GVSU ranks first with a +6.1 edge on the glass with Ferris State right behind at +5.2.
 
There will be plenty of star power on both sides of the ball. The Lakers post combination of Jake Van Tubbergen and Christian Negron. Negron is second in the conference in field goal percentage and third in rebounding while Van Tubbergen leads the league with 9.9 boards per game and ranks fourth in shooting percentage. Negron is the leading shot-blocker in the conference and leads the Lakers in steals while Van Tubbergen continues to be impressive on the defensive end although the stats have not followed just yet.
 
Five different Bulldogs average double figures, led by Walt Kelser's 20.9 points per game to lead the GLIAC. Logan Ryan leads the GLIAC in field goal percentage while averaging 10.2 points and 6.1 rebounds. Dorian Aluyi averages 13 points and a team-high 7.4 boards while Ben Davidson averages 14 points off the bench and Lee Higgins contributes 10 points a game from a starting role. Jimmy Scholler has a GLIAC-high 76 assists compared to just 22 turnovers (a 3.5 ATO ratio). As a team, the Bulldogs average over five blocks per game with Ryan contributing just under two blocks per game, second to only Negron in the conference.
 
Two confident teams with post-season aspirations collide on Thursday night and the result will certainly resonate on Selection Sunday. While this is not an end-all, be-all, it is an opportunity for both teams to pad their resume with a signature win. With another meeting still ahead in Big Rapids later this season, the Lakers look to capitalize on their home floor and set the tone for the rest of the season.