Photo courtesy of David Faulkner, SPX Sports.
SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s basketball team will travel to Minneapolis on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. contest with Augsburg. The Gusties enter the contest 10-12 overall and 7-10 in the MIAC while the Auggies enter 15-6 overall and 11-5 in the league.
The Series
Tonight’s contest marks the 181st matchup between the two teams with the Gusties currently holding a 108-72 advantage. The last time the two teams met, on Jan. 7, the Auggies came out with a 92-78 victory on Gus Young Court.
Scouting the Gusties
Gustavus is most recently coming off a 74-66 loss to No. 5 St. Thomas on Monday. Through 22 games the Gusties average 71.0 points and allow 76.0. The Black and Gold shoot 46.4 percent from the field which is good for third in the MIAC and its three point percentage of 36.0 is good for fifth. Although Gustavus ranks last in the league in rebounding with 31.2 per game, over their last three contest the Gusties have outrebounded opponents 106-71, inclduing 21-11 on the offensive end. Offensively, Riley Sharbono and Nolan Malo lead the charge averaging 12.6 and 10.2 points, respectively.
Scouting the Auggies
Augsburg comes into Wednesday’s contest most recently falling to No. 17 Saint John’s 82-71 on Monday. Through 21 games the Auggies average 82.5 points per game and allow 75.8, marks which rank second and ninth in the MIAC respectively. Augsburg has been solid at the free throw line making 14.0 shots per game and shooting 78.8 percent from the charity stripe, both which rank first in the league. Booker Coplin is third in the NCAA in points per game for the Auggies, averaging 26.1 per contest, to go along with a MIAC-leading 9.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals.