Complete PDF Notes
Upcoming in Gray Wolves Basketball: As the final week of the regular season arrives, Lourdes is in a battle near the top of the standings as the Gray Wolves could finish anywhere from first through sixth.  The Gray Wolves host Lawrence Tech on Senior Night Wednesday evening before traveling to Northwestern Ohio on Saturday for the regular season finale.

Head Coach Dennis Hopson: In his first season on the Lourdes bench, Dennis Hopson is 19-9 (.679) with the Gray Wolves and as a men's collegiate head coach.  He is only the third head coach in Lourdes program's history.

Series Notes: Lourdes holds a 10-6 series advantage against Lawrence Tech dating back to Nov. 3, 2012, but the Blue Devils have won two straight meetings and four of the last five games between the two schools.  Lawrence Tech won the first meeting this season 71-64 in Southfield, Mich.  Lourdes is 2-1 against the Blue Devils in the Ebeid Rec Center and 6-1 all-time at home.  The Gray Wolves are 11-9 all-time against Northwestern Ohio in a series that began Dec. 30, 2010.  Lourdes won this season's first contest 72-58 in the Ebeid Rec Center on Jan. 8.  The Racers hold a 6-4 series edge in games played in Lima, Ohio.

Wrapping Up Last Week: Lourdes could not overcome a five-point halftime deficit on Wednesday at Cornerstone, falling to the Golden Eagles 68-63 in Grand Rapids, Mich.  Nick Welch led Lourdes with 14 points while McRay White added 10 more.  On Saturday, Rochester (Mich.) pulled away in the second half to defeat the Gray Wolves 75-61 in the Ebeid Rec Center.  Kenny Coleman scored 15 points while Julian Egbo added 12 more in the loss.

Scouting Lawrence Tech: The Blue Devils snapped a three-game losing skid on Saturday with a 95-88 victory at home against Siena Heights.  Jordan Henry leads Lawrence Tech averaging 14.7 points per game, coming off the bench in each contest.  Gunnar Gustafson adds 12.6 points and a team-leading 6.8 rebounds per outing.  Brandon Beavers (11.8 ppg) and Carter Frantz (11.4 ppg) are also averaging in double figures for the Blue Devils.

Scouting Northwestern Ohio: The Racers enter the week having dropped two of their last three games after falling 96-87 at Michigan-Dearborn on Saturday.  Northwestern Ohio visits Aquinas on Wednesday before hosting Lourdes in the season finale.  Nathan Lessing leads the Racers averaging 20.3 points per game this season and is shooting 50.0% from the floor.  Elijah Pughsley adds 16.9 points per outing for Northwestern Ohio while Zach Montes is the team's leading rebounder, pulling down 6.7 boards per night.

Thanks Bryce: Lourdes will honor its lone senior, Bryce McComb, prior to Wednesday's game with Lawrence Tech.  McComb has appeared in 83 games for the Gray Wolves over three seasons, averaging 4.6 points per game while making 97 career three-point field goals.

Still the Possibility of a WHAC Title: Lourdes enters the final week of the regular season with hopes still alive for its first WHAC title.  The Gray Wolves need to win both games this week and have Indiana Tech drop both contests (at Michigan-Dearborn, vs. Aquinas) to finish in a tie at the top.  Lourdes owns the tie-breaker though by virtue of its season sweep of the Warriors.

More Tournament Happenings: Lourdes can still finish anywhere from first to sixth in the final WHAC standings, depending upon how the week plays out.  With one victory the Gray Wolves are guaranteed to play a quarterfinal game at home on Wednesday, Feb. 26.  With two wins, Lourdes would finish second and win the tie-breaker, allowing the Gray Wolves to play their semifinal game at home as well, should they win in the quarterfinals.

A Balanced Offensive Attack: While Clif Snow leads the Gray Wolves in scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game, Lourdes has six players tallying at least 8.7 points per night.  Seven different Gray Wolves have led the team in scoring in at least one contest this year.

Getting Defensive: Lourdes ranks fourth in the NAIA Division II in scoring defense, and leads the WHAC, allowing just 67.4 points per game.  The Gray Wolves are limiting opposing offenses to just 41.4% shooting from the floor, the 15th best mark in the nation. 

Among the National Leaders: Lourdes ranks 25th in NAIA Division II with a +5.6 rebounding margin this season.  The Gray Wolves are also 43rd outscoring their opponents by 6.3  points per game. In addition, Lourdes ranks 46th in offensive rebounds per night with 11.0. 

Remaining 13th Nationally: Lourdes jumped into the NAIA Coaches' Top-25 Poll for the first time this season on Dec. 11.  Lourdes moved up one spot to 13th, its highest ranking in program history, in the poll released on Jan. 15, and remained 13th in the most recent poll that was released on Feb. 5.  The next Top-25 poll will be released on Feb. 19.

Team Captains: Lourdes has four captains this season.  Bryce McComb, Clif Snow, and Brett Lauf join newcomer Nick Welch, a transfer from Spring Arbor, in leading the Gray Wolves.

This and That: Little Anderson is the only Gray Wolf to start all 28 games and is the only player to appear in every game as well ... Kenny Coleman ranks 23rd in NAIA Division II shooting 84.3% from the free throw line ... Lourdes is looking for one more win for its second 20-win season in program history.