SOMERS, Wis. – UW-Parkside men's basketball is set to open the 2017-18 season this weekend, as the Rangers head to the Upper Peninsula to take part in the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge.
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Parkside will open their campaign with Michigan Tech on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. followed by Northern Michigan on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m., with both games coming on Michigan Tech's campus in Houghton, Mich. The Rangers finished last season 22-8 overall and 13-5 in the GLVC while posting an impressive 13-1 home record.
"We have so many new faces and young players that we are about to throw right in the fire," head coach Luke Reigel said. "This weekend, we want to see progress. We have a lot of players that now have the opportunity to show what they can do and we want to see what they are fully capable of."
Reigel, who is entering his 15th season, is 13 wins away from breaking the all-time record of 300 held by Steve Stephens. Reigel's squad is made of three seniors in Jameel Moore, Chavares Flanigan and Espen Fjaerestad. Along with the seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and six freshmen round out the roster.
"We have a lot of players that have been a part of a lot of wins in their careers," Reigel added. "One person that we're really looking at to not only be productive on the floor, but to be a leader to the younger guys as a senior is Espen (Fjaerestad)."
Following the GLVC/GLIAC challenge, the Rangers will head south to Texas to battle St. Mary's and Texas A&M International, both games in San Antonio, Texas. The home opener will come on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 3 p.m. against Minnesota-Duluth.
