KENOSHA, Wis. — The Parkside men's basketball team begins its first set of GLIAC rematches this week with a two-game road trip, opening Thursday, Jan. 29, at 6:30 p.m. CT in University Center, Michigan, against Saginaw Valley State inside James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena before heading north to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, for a Saturday, Jan. 31, 2 p.m. CT matchup at Lake Superior State inside Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
Parkside enters the week 9-9 overall and 3-7 in GLIAC play. The Rangers are looking to reset after a difficult homestand last weekend, falling to Grand Valley State, 77-67, on Thursday and dropping a 68-54 decision to Davenport on Saturday.
Through 18 games, Parkside's season has been defined by two constants: consistent scoring at the top and constant pressure at the free-throw line. The Rangers are averaging 75.0 points per game while allowing 73.2, and they are shooting 43.5% from the field with 33.4% accuracy from three. Parkside has also made the most of its trips to the stripe, converting 341 free throws on the season (75.8%). Defensively, the Rangers have produced 54 blocks and 113 steals, and they have stayed competitive on the glass (33.8 rebounds per game). Opponents have shot 44.6% overall against Parkside and 33.1% from three.
Individually, Parkside has leaned on a proven scoring duo. Paxton Warden leads the Rangers at 17.9 points per game while also providing playmaking (49 assists) and perimeter production (35 made threes). Luka Mateski is right behind him at 17.0 points per game and has been one of the most reliable free-throw shooters in the country, going 133-for-149 (89.3%) at the line while getting there consistently. In the frontcourt, Fawaz Surakat has anchored the interior with 7.4 rebounds per game (126 total), 31 blocks and a team-best 62.2% shooting from the floor. Josiah Palmer has added 13.7 points per game while shooting 41.9% from three (39-for-93) and providing a steady hand as a creator (52 assists). As a team, Parkside's clearest path has often come when the Rangers can turn free throws into rhythm offense — but the recent stretch has also shown how much their ceiling rises when they can pair that pressure with efficient shot-making and clean possessions.
Thursday, Jan. 29
Parkside at Saginaw Valley State
6:30 P.M. CT | James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena | University Center, Mich.
Saturday, Jan. 31
Parkside at Lake Superior State
2 P.M. CT | Bud Cooper Gymnasium | Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
SCOUTING SAGINAW VALLEY STATE:
Parkside and Saginaw Valley State meet for the second time this season after the Rangers earned an 87-81 win over the Cardinals in Kenosha on Jan. 10. Parkside hit 12 threes and shot 48% from the field in that meeting, with Luka Mateski scoring a game-high 24 points and four Rangers reaching double figures.
SVSU enters Thursday 9-9 overall and 3-7 in GLIAC play and is coming off a loss to Ferris State on Monday. The Cardinals have been one of the more balanced teams in the league by profile, averaging 77.8 points per game while allowing 73.2 (+4.6) and shooting 44.7% from the field. They also rebound at a high level (39.0 per game) and have been disruptive defensively, totaling 69 blocks and 126 steals.
Individually, the Cardinals have multiple established threats. Xavier Thomas leads SVSU at 17.1 points per game and has been the primary perimeter volume option. Marquese Josephs has been efficient as a secondary scorer, averaging 14.3 points per game while shooting 56.5% from the floor and 48.3% from three. Dontez Scott II adds 11.5 points per game and leads the team in assists with 52. Triston Nichols is a key two-way piece, averaging 6.8 points while ranking among the team's top rebounders at 5.1 per game. The defining individual matchup piece, though, is Kevonne Taylor, who has been one of the most impactful rim protectors in Division II, totaling 38 blocks in 16 games (2.38 per game).
This is the 20th meeting between the two programs. Parkside has won six of the last seven matchups and is 4-2 when playing in University Center. The Rangers' last loss to the Cardinals in University Center came on Feb. 10, 2022 (76-68).
SCOUTING LAKE SUPERIOR STATE:
Saturday's matchup in Sault Ste. Marie is the second meeting this season between Parkside and Lake Superior State after the Rangers earned a 79-72 win in Kenosha on Jan. 8 behind 22 points from Josiah Palmer.
Lake Superior State enters the week 9-10 overall and 3-7 in GLIAC play, and the Lakers' numbers jump off the page on the offensive end. LSSU is averaging 84.1 points per game while allowing 75.1, an +8.9 scoring margin. The Lakers are shooting 46.3% from the field, have made 183 threes (34.9%), and average 16.6 assists per game. They have also been one of the league's most disruptive teams defensively, producing 180 steals and benefiting from an opponent turnover total of 308 on the season. If Lake Superior State is controlling tempo, it often looks like quick scoring bursts created by stops, pressure, and ball movement.
Individually, the Lakers have a trio that consistently drives production. Omar Suleiman leads LSSU at 15.8 points per game with 45 made threes, while Harrison Sorrellle has added 12.8 points per game and 41 made threes. At the point, Nino Carter-Smith has been the engine, totaling 84 assists (4.4 per game) while contributing 10.7 points per game and steady rebounding from the guard spot. In the frontcourt, Tyler Jamison provides interior scoring and physicality (8.6 points per game), and LSSU's depth has helped it maintain scoring pace across long stretches.
This is the 20th meeting between the two programs. Parkside is 12-7 all-time against the Lakers, though the Rangers are 4-6 in Sault Ste. Marie. Parkside is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings, and last season Lake Superior State ended Parkside's year in the GLIAC Tournament quarterfinals.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Following the road weekend, Parkside will have a split week next week, traveling to Roosevelt on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. CT before returning home to host Ferris State on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 3 p.m. CT.
To keep up with the Rangers, visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.
