One thing is for sure, the Northern Arizona University men's basketball team will be road-tested by the time it finally plays at home. The Lumberjacks are set to play in their third-straight road game since opening the season on Nov. 7. Next up is the Utah Valley Wolverines with tip-off set for 2 p.m. Mountain Standard time on Saturday, Nov. 12, in Orem, Utah.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+. Due to the Northern Arizona football broadcast at Northern Colorado, fans can listen to Anthony DeFazio call the contest online at NAUAthletics.com.
The Lumberjacks have played a challenging non-conference schedule so far, with losses at Michigan State to open the year and to Arizona State yesterday (Nov. 11), starting the season 0-2. Utah Valley, who are members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) are 1-1 with a win over Western Colorado and a loss at Utah State in its opener.
So far this season, the Lumberjacks have been led in both contests by Jalen Cone and transfer Liam Lloyd. Cone opened the year with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, plus four assists, at Michigan State and followed with 17 points and six rebounds at Arizona State. The preseason All-Big Sky selection has made at least three three-pointers in both games, and currently paces NAU with 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field.
Lloyd is currently averaging 11.0 points per game after scoring 11 in both contests. He also leads the Lumberjacks with 1.5 steals per game.
As a team, NAU is averaging 61.5 points and 30.0 rebounds per game. Through two games this season, the Lumberjacks have proved to play strong in the second half, bettering their shooting percentage by 12 percent against Michigan State and 22.5 percent against Arizona State. They have also outscored their opponents in the second frame in both contests.
Saturday will mark the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs, with the series tied 2-2. Each team has picked up a win on its own home floor, and the Wolverines will make a return trip to Flagstaff this year on Dec. 10. The Lumberjacks won the last meeting 79-73 on Dec. 14, 2019 in Orem, Utah.
The Wolverines average 74.5 points per game, shooting 44.7 percent from the field and are averaging 34.5 rebounds per game. They are led by Aziz Bandaogo who averages 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, all of which are team highs.
After Saturday, the Lumberjacks finally get some home cooking with two-straight games at home next week. Northern Arizona's home opener is set for Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Rolle Activity Center against Benedictine Mesa. On Friday, Nov. 18, NAU welcomes UC Santa Barbara to town at 6 p.m., also in Rolle. Both contests will be streamed on ESPN+ and the Lumberjack Sports Network.
Original source can be found here.
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