HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Coming off of its best non-conference performance in five years, the Northern Kentucky University men's basketball team opens up play in the Horizon League with a trip to Detroit for a Dec. 29 showdown with Detroit Mercy. The contest is the nightcap of a double-header with the Titans' women's team and is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
 
Game Information
Northern Kentucky University Norse (9-4 Overall, 0-0 Horizon League)
University of Detroit Mercy Titans (2-10 Overall, 0-0 Horizon League)
Thursday, Dec. 29 - 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Calihan Hall (8,295) in Detroit, Mich.
TV: ESPN3/WADL-38 with Dan Dickerson (play-by-play) and Earl Cureton (analysis)
Radio: FOXSports1360 (1360 AM) with Jim Kelch (play-by-play) and Steve Moeller (analysis)
 
Fast Break Points
• NKU finished the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 92-61 setback at No. 11/13 West Virginia last Friday.
• This marks the first winning non-conference record for the Norse in the DI era, and the nine wins also ties last season's win total with at least 19 games left on the calendar.
• NKU won the rebound battle, 39-34, against WVU. The Mountaineers entered as the nation's top offensive rebounding team at 16.73 offensive rebounds per game, but the Norse limited them to just 11.
• The Norse have established themselves as one of the top rebounding teams in the country, winning the rebounding battle in 12 of 13 games, including each of the last seven games to earn a ranking of 13th in rebounding margin at +8.9 and 26th in total rebounds per game (40.85).
• NKU's prowess on the boards has kept its opponents to an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.8 percent (32nd in the nation according to KenPom.com), meaning Northern Kentucky has owned its defensive boards and kept opponents off the offensive glass.
• Northern Kentucky surged into the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll for the first time ever on Dec. 19 at No. 24. NKU is currently ranked No. 25.
• NKU has nine players who set foot on a collegiate basketball court for the first time this year. According to KenPom.com, the average experience for the Norse this year is 1.22 years, which is 312th.
• After a four-year reclassification process, NKU is eligible to compete for a berth in the NCAA tourney after receiving active status from the NCAA in August.
• NKU was picked to finish 7th in the Horizon League this season in the preseason poll, but is currently third in the standings following non-conference action.
• F Carson Williams, a two-time Horizon League Freshman of the Week honoree, is averaging 16.7 ppg and 8.7 rpg over the last three games.
• Williams has not been phased by the "Power Brokers" of college basketball this season. After recording 12 points and six rebounds at West Virginia, he averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds against NKU's two Power-5 foes (including Illinois).
• Williams is third on the team in scoring at (10.9) and second in rebounding (6.1).
• G Lavone Holland II is averaging 15.2 ppg this year, second-best on the team. He's also dished out a team-leading 46 assists.
• G Cole Murray has reached double figures in six of the last nine games and is fourth on the team in scoring at 10.2 ppg.
• F Drew McDonald leads NKU at 15.9 ppg and 7.6 rpg.
• McDonald notched five double-doubles in Horizon League play last year.
• F Jordan Garnett totaled nine points and seven rebounds against West Virginia. He is averaging 4.7 rpg.