Michigan Tech guard Pete Calcaterra attempts a layup during Minnesota’s game against Duluth on Friday in Duluth, Minnesota. (Photo provided by Michigan Technological University)
HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech Huskies men’s basketball team had a very strong weekend by anyone in Duluth, Minnesota, losing 80-70 to No. 6 Minnesota Duluth last weekend, but losing to No. 3 Minnesota State. – Defeated Moorhead. , 74-70.
But coach Josh Buettner’s team won’t have long to celebrate the fact that it started the season 3-3 in non-conference play as it faces St. Cloud State on Wednesday night.
Still, Buettner is proud of what his team has accomplished so far.
“If you were on the bus last Thursday and told me I was going to fight two top-10 opponents, I would probably go for it.” he said. “Honestly, regardless of the result, it was about how hard we played for 80 minutes over the weekend, and I thought we played pretty well for 40 minutes the week before against Concordia (against St. Paul). “He was consistent in his games.” That was great. Of course, it was great for the team to get results and be recognized for that level of intensity and defensive competitiveness. ”
Buettner liked how his team battled the weather Friday against the Bulldogs.
“I thought you were fighting.” he said. “I mean, you’re sitting there and you’re playing against a really old team. Just about everything we were going to do in that game came off as expected and who got in foul trouble and didn’t really come together offensively.” We didn’t even have the guys that wanted to. Obviously we got a little bit excited early in the second half, but we kept it coming back and got it down to six points in the last five or six minutes and really down to the end. I think we fought. That was a great sign.”
Buettner admitted he was worried he would stall Saturday against the Dragons.
“We talked about it the night before, and understandably, your biggest fear is that after you feel like we’ve competed pretty hard and done some good things, you still lose. That’s it.” Buettner said. “A lot of times you come back the next day feeling better, and our guys got that right and fought hard from the start in the Moorhead game and didn’t let anything get in their way. We took the lead early, they fought back, got a double-digit lead against us in the second half, and just kept playing. For the last 12 minutes of that game, we were guarding at a really high level. Ta.”
Butner realized his team learned a lot about how to handle close games in the final 12 minutes, which will give them confidence going forward.
In addition to the Huskies’ defensive prowess, junior guard Marcus Tomaszek also showed flashes throughout the weekend. Offensively, he scored 29 points in the loss to the Bulldogs, followed by 40 points in the win over the Dragons.
Still, Butner is more proud of Tomaszek, who was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week, for working hard even when he doesn’t have the ball and inspiring the rest of the team.
“The thing I’m most proud of about Marcus is that he competed on the defensive side of the ball, and as much as he’s been on the offensive side of the ball, he still plays hard and plays on the defensive side of the ball. But it was a good effort.” said Buettner. “To be honest, a lot of that is the guy running. We have a lot of unselfish players that help him get to his position, the space on the floor, and help the offense run without him. (They) are willing to let that flow and understand that when Marcus can be one-on-one sometimes, that’s our best shot.
“Some teams are going to put two on him, and especially once you get into the league you’re going to start to see junk defense and different ways to protect him, and other guys are ready to step up.” Please. ”
Butner said he doesn’t know if Tomaszek can maintain his aggressiveness on the ball throughout the season, but he likes where he is right now.
“There’s some face guarding and we’re just trying to get really physical and throw different bodies at him and beat him.” Buettner said. “Box and 1, triangle and 2, and some of that we haven’t seen yet. But there’s some attention to him and to be honest, he’s pretty special with the ball in his hands.”
At the same time, junior forward Dawson Nordgaard is starting to gain attention in the paint, helping to take pressure off Tomaszek.
“He added more value to our offense than anyone else.” said Buettner. “So having that interior presence again means opening everything else up. Even if he’s out or we lose some guys, he draws some double teams and keeps us open. They led us to a long, close game and gave us an advantage.
“Honestly, it’s crazy. Sometimes when you watch film, he gets as much attention as Marcus in terms of other teams’ plans and what they have in store. So, Being able to play inside and out in the paint was huge for both the offense and the defense, which was phenomenal.”
scouting cent clouds
St. Cloud State enters Wednesday’s matchup at 4-3 on the season after defeating Upper Iowa University 66-65 on Monday, Nov. 18 and Northland University 93-43 on Saturday.
They have six players averaging double digits, led by sophomore guard Jamia Allen (16.8). Sophomore guard Nate Dahl (12.4), sophomore guard Vance Pifer (12), freshman guard Hanif Muhammad (11), sophomore guard Wyatt Hawks (10.7), and freshman guard Kynan. – All of Philip (10) are playing well offensively.
game time
informal “Battle of the Huskies” It will be held at the SDC gym in Houghton on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
HOUGHTON — Two Ohio residents are in the Houghton County Jail on suspicion of purchasing items in Houghton.
