KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team returns to University Arena on Thursday evening as it hosts Davenport in its 2024-25 home opener.
GAME INFO
Matchup: Western Michigan (0-1) vs Davenport (0-0)
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 7 – 7 pm
Site: University Arena (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Tickets: wmubroncos.com/tickets
Video: Bronco All-Access
Radio: Bronco Media Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
OPENING TIP
- Western Michigan begins its 2024-25 home schedule on Thursday evening as it welcomes Davenport to University Arena.
- The Broncos are set for 15 home games this season, their most since 2019-20.
- Western Michigan has won 12 of its last 13 home openers.
- The Broncos began the season with a 60-56 loss at Coastal Carolina on Monday night in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
- Markhi Strickland and Donovan Williams had a team-high 13 points apiece.
- Owen Lobsinger totaled nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
- Four different players made their Bronco debut in Monday's game.
- Thursday's game is the final exhibition for Davenport before it begins its regular season on Friday against Rockhurst.
- The Panthers were picked to finish 10th in the GLIAC Preseason poll.
- Thursday marks the first regular season meeting between the two programs.
HOME SWEET HOME
Western Michigan begins its 2024-25 home schedule on Thursday evening as it welcomes Davenport to University Arena. After going 7-7 on their home court last season, the Broncos are set for 15 regular season home games in 2024-25, their most since the 2019-20 campaign. WMU had a streak of 12 consecutive wins in home openers snapped last season in the season-opening overtime loss to North Dakota State.
LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos opened up the 2024-25 season on Monday night with a 60-56 loss at Coastal Carolina in the first game of this year's MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. Western Michigan trailed by as many as 12 in the first half before storming back after the break to draw level, 46-46. After the Chanticleers regained the lead, WMU had a chance to tie it in the final minute, but the three-point try rimmed out.
Markhi Strickland and
Donovan Williams each tallied a team-high 13 points, while
Owen Lobsinger nearly posted a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
BRAND-NEW BRONCOS
On Monday, four players made their WMU debut. Pacific transfer
Donovan Williams tied for the team lead with 13 points in a team-high 33 minutes off of the bench. Fellow transfers
Marquese Josephs and
Seryee Lewis also contributed off of the bench, with Josephs tallying five points and a pair of assists, and Lewis grabbing five rebounds. True freshman
EJ Ryans served as the starting point guard in his collegiate debut.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
After having four or more players in double-figures 12 times last season, the Broncos nearly had four in double-digits on Monday night.
Markhi Strickland and
Donovan Williams led the way with a team-high 13 points apiece,
JaVaughn Hannah tallied 10 points and
Owen Lobsinger chipped in nine points.
OWEN-ING THE GLASS
After finishing ninth in the conference at 6.3 rebounds per game last season,
Owen Lobsinger picked up right where he left, snagging a game-high 11 rebounds on Monday night. It was one rebound short of the senior's career high, and the seventh double-digit rebounding game of his career.
TURNOVERS FUEL RALLY
Turnovers made a huge difference in Western Michigan's second-half rally on Monday at Coastal Carolina. The Broncos turned it over just twice after halftime, while forcing the Chanticleers into 10 second-half miscues. As a result, WMU held a 10-0 advantage after the break in points off of turnovers. Overall, the Brown and Gold yielded just 24 second-half points to CCU, which was the fewest in a half for an opponent since the Broncos limited Eastern Michigan to 20 points in the first half on Jan. 23 of last season. Overall, Western Michigan was plus-four (12-8) in the turnover battle on Monday.
MICHIGAN MADE
Western Michigan opened the season with eight of its 15 players hailing from the state of Michigan. The eight from one state is among the highest any program has from a single state in NCAA Division I. Four native Michiganders
Max Burton (Williamston),
JaVaughn Hannah (Mount Clemens),
Owen Lobsinger (Flint) and
EJ Ryans (Grand Rapids) earned starts on Opening Night.
DIALING LONG DISTANCE
After knocking down three in Monday's season opener, the Brown and Gold have made at least one three-pointer in 424 straight games, dating back to the 2010-11 season.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Thursday's contest marks the final exhibition game for Davenport before it begins its 2024-25 regular season on Friday night against Rockhurst. The Panthers were picked 10th in the GLIAC Preseason poll.
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday night's game marks the first-ever regular season meeting between the Broncos and the Panthers.
ON THE HORIZON
Western Michigan hits the road on Monday night to take on Butler in a contest which will be broadcast nationally on FS1.
