>> Welcome back to an all new episode of the Grand Valley State sports report on WGVU.

I'm your host Jake Levy on today's episode.

We'll highlight the GSU track and field team as they continue to dominate the 2022 season.

Dsu men's basketball sports this week and now looks ahead to a road trip north to the U P de su women's basketball secures a big win against rival Thursday for their 8th straight win lock in Laker nation as the Grand Valley State.

44 starts right now.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] Dsu men's basketball split over the weekend following a pair of state on Thursday, then return to the court to right the ship on Saturday.

Beating Lake Superior state on kids day now talk best teams head coach Rick Wesley and coach.

Let's start with that game Thursday night against Paris had that game circle for a while to really good teams in the region in the conference and awesome atmosphere when a crowd we had on Thursday.

>> Yeah, that was one of the best cars we've had in a while.

A lot of excitement, a lot of energy in the building.

Just a big-time atmosphere.

You know, really added to the night for both teams.

The both teams we played streaming heart.

Fair skies outstanding team.

We just fell a bit short in.

>> Yeah.

It was really a back and forth game all the way through those threes at the end.

Kind of Barry Gibb.

It was also one of the best scores in this league.

We know that you guys were able to keep him relatively in check.

What was the game plan defensively against a really good offensive first 18.

>> Well, just to try to keep control of their offense.

You we've had several games where they've scored a 100 points in a game week.

We held them to 80 some and we had some really good strong moments defensively.

Like you said it.

The game kind of went back and forth probably could have gone either way, but a key time in the game.

We let a couple issues get away and to their credit, they made the shots and and what a game like that.

You just the art opportunities.

Take possessions off and we had a couple defensive breakdowns that would cost the city.

And I know you'll never make excuses, but a Pentagon had 17 points and 12 rebounds in just 20 minutes.

Yet cramping, we couldn't really play and much of that 2nd half.

You have to feel like this game's a little bit different without you're probably leading score on the for prop.

You know, probably makes a difference.

But I will say, you know, our guys came off the bench.

Even all the really had an outstanding effort coming in there taking up the slack.

You never want to not have your best players, but it certainly is part of the game in particular this environment now with with covid and all the other crazy things are happening.

Man.

You just everybody's got to stay ready and I like our depth.

Like, yeah.

>> Options.

We have coming off the bench but certainly moving forward.

Hopefully everybody can stay healthy.

Absolutely mentioned even altering.

I thought he was great.

Thought de Leon Brown played one of his best offensive games that we've seen for a while.

We knew he was such a smooth shooter.

They finally kind of let that show a little bit neck.

>> Well, I think he's moving a lot better.

He came off pretty significant surgery last year is it's been a process that it's been slow at times.

But in the last 3 or 4 weeks.

He definitely is moving better.

And you see that, you know, certainly on the offensive end.

But you really see it on the defensive end.

He's a really tremendous defender gives us an option, both offense and defense that we haven't always had had.

So hopefully he can build on that.

>> It is emotional game obviously doesn't go the way you want to bounce back to what you did, you turn around the lake Superior state, by the way, came in for him to win the conference and 9, 3, team.

They're really good basketball team with a veteran coach that you know very well.

They come in.

You guys really handed to a particular in the 2nd half.

>> Yeah, this was a very a game really made me nervous.

They're excellent offensive team coach and it does a great job with their squad know really obvious weaknesses.

Jake was banged up a little bit.

Jordan Harris was a little bit banged up.

So it just felt like, boy, this this could be a trap game for us what we came out and they and of course they all week to get ready to because Davenport had some issues health wise.

So to come out and play as well as we did was really encouraging hats off to our guys.

Again, our bench came in there.

But for be my eyes because us in and Ethan, again really gave us some great minutes long with jk Lewis.

>> To get the win because shoot the ball really well from downtown 7 of 10 from beyond the arc in the 1st half.

But they had a nice little run the end of the half to Lake City.

Get back to a three-point game.

It was maybe the message at halftime kind of try to keep your guys in this thing turned ahead because of what a 2nd half you guys.

>> Well, really just to stick to a board in the leak.

Adams is an outstanding player for them.

He hit.

He got it going there late in the 1st half.

We kind of you lost track of him just a couple times.

And that's all it takes to set.

Their big guy is a good score as well.

So again, they're very easy for an offensive team.

So you've got to mix it up a little bit and his guys stay focused but thought the 2nd half.

We came out.

>> And with renewed enthusiasm and energy that could be the difference that really stood out 7 steals 5 blocks in this one really fell a game that especially in the 2nd half.

Your defense is really leading to some good offensive looks.

>> Yeah, I think so.

We've got some run outs got a couple breakouts got a couple steals and kind of broke their spirit a little bit.

But again, I thought of like Verbeek and Mars who's always came off the bench and in both of them really have outstanding efforts Christian a little bit of foul trouble in that really, really took up the slack.

Jake was strong again.

And >> so it was a great win for us, a much needed win.

You don't want to stream losses together specially home losses this time of year and hopefully gives us some momentum as we head to the U P. Absolutely.

A bounce back when you improve to the 10th win on the season, which was great to get your still just 2 games back in the loss column in the glee actor.

Still a lot ahead, especially with all those postponed games.

Got to make up for these next couple of weeks.

But this week it had the long road trip up to the U P into more.

Really good veteran teams in Michigan.

Tech in northern Michigan.

No question.

You know, Michigan Tech is really been sort of one of our number says he last couple years owns white, Trent Bell just outstanding front court players last updated 3 times first chance we get out of this year.

They're coming off a tough one.

So I know they'll be ready in the northern Michigan is always a little bit, you know, under the radar a little bit.

But they had a great effort this past weekend as well.

So it's the longest trip by far always a challenge.

I'm glad we won Saturday.

Again.

We're we're getting healthier each day hope from going to take care of business.

You have a veteran team, but no, you go on the road to the U P member last year you went to Michigan Tech but fans weren't really allowed in the stands that atmosphere up in Michigan Tech, very similar to what ours can be very boisterous.

That band is right in your face, you're going to do that for the first time a couple years.

Yeah.

It's different seem like the last few years we've normally go into northern Michigan for Senate in Tech on Saturday this year to so just the opposite.

So, you know, they do have a great atmosphere.

Real college town near hotan is a great place.

But morning also have a great team.

You know, this year a judge, but there's a new head first year head coach will miss a coach.

Luke, this time he's he's gone golfing or his mission or suspicion.

But, you know, it's it's a need plays as his mark at.

You know, I want you get up in the UPI, a really nice place is just the weather is bad.

It's a long trip and they're very competitive.

Well, we've been playing great basketball, particularly on Saturday.

Hopefully that rolls over looking for making the trip with the coach.

But look, this week.

All right.

Thank you.

We're back with more of the Grand Valley State sport report continues on wdvm.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> Dsu women's basketball.

Be Davenport Monday and then defeated rival for state on Thursday night securing their 7th and 8th straight win.

Look to keep the streak going this week as they travel up to the UPI and is now talk about the team's head coach Mike Williams and coach.

You get 2 home wins this week against Davenport unfair state.

Good week for your team.

>> It was good week.

You know, both are technically no rivalry game show for says it has been that game and no Devon port with the proximity.

And in addition, the conference become Riley game.

So as to 2 big games.

And again, we have at home, which was nice.

>> Good crowd on hand as well over 300 for the downpour came over 500 for the fair state game.

It's been great to have fans back on your buddies are some pretty good atmosphere here this week as well.

>> You know, it's really it was really nice.

We played a single game on Monday.

Much by what took away from some of the crowd that and obviously playing fair state men and women on Thursday, create a great atmosphere.

Big crowd, great atmosphere.

You know, close game kind of came down to the wire.

They'll back and forth.

And so it was it was good for players to play in this atmosphere and it was good for again.

Good for a division.

2 women's basketball.

>> And start with the Davenport and you guys want running away with it.

73 to 38, to talking to you after the game.

The big thing you look at how your rebounding and energy got better as the game went on.

>> You know, again, it's Davenport played really well in that 1st quarter.

And I think their team is getting better.

Each week.

You saw that when they played fair state on Saturday.

They can about them for 2 and a half quarters.

And so, you know, you always it's a 40 minute game.

You don't want to get too caught up in the stretch here and there.

But, you know, I thought we came out a little flat on the defensive and that's what we give them looks that we should give them.

And I thought we learned they won't be just a second chance balls and in points.

And I think, yeah, I think we're down the 1st quarter is tied and I thought it was a game one on.

You know, we we did a better job of focusing on the little things and then offensive.

We were really good.

The whole game.

And then we kind of separated in the 2nd half.

>> 5 different players score in double figures for you in that game led by Emily Spitz.

Lee had a really good week to knock down 10 threes between the 2 games, including 6 on Monday.

It was great to see her.

She's been a score for you in the past but to really get going for the shooting as well.

>> Yeah.

You know, she's she's letting the game come to her once or comment.

We talked about some things as far as you know, offensively don't you don't have to force.

It's going to be there.

What's there, take advantage of it.

If you've done a great job with that.

You know, she's also got in the gym.

She puts in time.

She's in the gym working on things that they were shot wasn't great and pointless.

You want it.

So she's in the gym every day working the shot.

And so, you know, and she knows I think I think a little bit as pressure is off of her because, you know, she was that the carry the load out.

We've got other players can score.

So I think it's you know, she's playing better basketball.

>> Coach Emily's obviously been great.

Now what's also not having one of your leading scores and had a cool off is also when you're leading rebounder, she's been out looking for some other pieces to step up and in this Davenport and we saw some really interesting different styles as you saw Hadley Miller play will again, Haley swing had a big game.

It's good to see them often from different place.

>> It isn't.

And both obviously capable players have had quite the minutes and some other players have had immense from the fires was good.

Every time we get into the game.

They can before midnight on New York and prom.

Well, you have to be great just to get those Mets game and about keep doing the best you can.

And and they both a great games against Davenport and.

>> Carryover against Paris.

We'll talk about that Thursday came know you guys want up winning it 67 to 59 we build is a battle for first place in the black.

And that's exactly what was your 2 teams really went at it a lot of 1830 at the end of the 1st quarter than you guys again, start to pull away a little bit except for that 3rd quarter to take us through what you saw in that game is that the first thing that really can score it.

>> You know, I thought it sounded a great job in that game.

-2 areas.

And, you know, I thought we did a great job.

The ball screen actions that we cover up issues.

We need to cover up that we kept him from getting the basket of thought we rebound.

Well, you know, they're very high-powered team offensively about what we turn it over.

We miss an easy shot.

We didn't convert and we give them a way too many points and conversion.

And again, it's a team that can go.

That's what they do.

And so that's an air that we've got to do better at.

But outside of that, I thought we played really well against a really good team.

But again, you have at home.

And I think that obviously makes a difference.

>> Now.

Turning now to go on the road to get that home when he won 8 in a row but you go on the road to really tough places to play this week.

The FTC gym in hotan that on the bear event center and Mark Katz.

We should see some 2 really good more good games this week.

>> You know, both that both the good teams with 3 different teams.

But Texan offensive team.

Others, defensive team.

So you have prepared for 2, 2, completely different styles.

But again, I think it's it's great to get in these opportunities in these in these battles, what you call him going up to Tech playing that, you know, then northern in the Barry against 2 good teams going.

It's going to tell us a lot about our team.

I think we've had the schedule up until now has been favorable bus.

And so.

>> This will be a great test for us to go up there.

You didn't get to play Lake state on Saturday because they had issues with COVID-19.

You still get a good practice in what is this week.

Maybe been like as you get ready to go on the road for the first real road test of the year.

>> You know, it was good.

It was really it was nice said that they often just kind of focus on different things obvious, you know as as players, you want to play as coaches, you want to play.

But I think we made the most of it had a chance to go this weekend Saturday and Sunday take today off, which is kind of nice being off on MLK day.

And so I think was good.

It was a healthy kind of a break in all, not playing a game.

But at the other day you want to play games.

>> Well, you got to play this weekend.

They're going to be fun will be on the road at the Michigan Tech in the northern Michigan cited a call that wasn't on the ticket.

So looking for that.

Thank you to.

All right, Jake, thank you.

Right back with more of the Grand Valley State sport report continues on WDTN.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] And yes, you track and field teams hope for the Bob Eubanks open over the weekend.

The teams hit 10 n C a D to provisional marks, 7 of which came from field events.

One of the 3 came from the hurdles to us now to talk about his team's head coach Jerry baltas.

Great to have to go back with us on set, coach.

Happy New Year to you.

How is the winter season got started.

Well, it's good to get back here and get going course covid been.

>> Put a little havoc for us, but we're managing it and good to get back with the EU banks open and out of our but you makes from back in the day and then got back on the track and the great to have stands again are fans in the stands.

And and there.

>> Get going.

You had a few indoor meets now is for some we talked to really since indoor season got rolling.

So by the way, congratulations on a great cross country season as well.

But now that you transition.

What has it been like to have fans back in the Kelly family sports center.

How's the atmosphere kind of does it feel like normal.

Yes, certainly, you know it.

>> Last year we had team sitting up in the bleachers, right.

They cheered a little bit but to have the fans up there in mask.

It was great to just a lot more energy and atmosphere.

Like you said that for the student athletes to build on and compete.

And I know that first mean you've got 22 provision in March.

You get 10 more here.

Days.

Are things going despite covid kind of wreaking some havoc.

Are things going about as expected early on in the winter.

So yeah, well, December is great.

We have a lot of good things happen.

Put some are student athletes in a really, really good position and then go home for the brakes.

It holiday break.

And you just hope soon athletes compete and stay healthy in her practice and train and stay healthy in.

And, you know, I think for the most part they did that.

But as we got back in the swing of things that the new variant has put a little challenging role in disrupting things here and there.

But it you know, we're just playing it day by day and we're in a good spot.

We're just getting everyone back in the in the full done and hopefully stay covid free as we move through the season.

You know, every year you kind of talk about using that cross country to ramp right into indoor specially for the distance.

Folks knowing that this year with covid back in.

They're still kind of looming with an extra effort to try to get some kids qualified early was a part of the plan are the complaint as usual and hoping for the best.

Yeah.

We plan as usual hoping to get as many individuals, you know, qualified and get a box checked in, then be able to take us some down time.

Take a deep breath.

You know, honestly, I was planning on being back to normal, getting some qualifiers out of the way and then being patient on indoor season with training.

And then as its new variants propped up.

You know, we've had to sort a change gears a little bit.

We've we've probably got 10 or 15 different plans to put an end changes day to day.

But, you know, last year as soon as we can get on the track we're competing in trying to get stuff done.

So you know that this weekend will open up some some student athletes and get him ready to go up, whereas maybe in the past we would have waited another week to Teresa the Biltmore fitness and training but not knowing what next week's going to be like.

We're going to take care of business said this week I got the body better dry.

Well, let's talk about the Bob Eubanks because had some really good things happened this week as well.

We'll start with the throwers because they're coming off a great season.

Last year picked up where they left off.

Yeah.

They're doing a fabulous job.

Our coach comments got rocking or on our women shot put crew has the deepest it's ever been.

So we've got 6 ladies that that could potentially qualify for the national championships that they can can continue to progress.

So it's exciting to see miles Kerns probably been a highlight on the men's side been strong, both in the shot put and the wait Elaine, on the women's side on Friday was really, really strong in both the shot put and wait.

We didn't compete Judith just being patient with her.

She had agreed to throw a in December and then a few others are in protocol.

What not.

So by our throats crews looking rather a strong early here.

All American Hunter Harding doing a nice job as well as you turn your attention off to the hurdles that some freshman really stepped up big for this me to go to school to see.

Yeah, you know, on the on the track said things Brandon Miller freshman true.

Freshman Fenton, Michigan.

You know, one of the best runners in the country last year.

One, the Nikkei us champs.

A high school competition in the 200 last last summer spring summer summer just Mister 200 meter school record.

See miles or alum who's helping us coach right now.

Owns that record.

So hopefully trip.

Yeah.

Over coach Wells continues that to coach him up and get in there.

So that was great to see a brand and take a step forward or get get role in there that are too hurdlers Buckeye Smallwood Jackson Blanchard are doing an incredible job.

Look really, really strong.

Yeah.

Across the board.

On the men's side.

We looked really rusher.

Myles roads are strong and 200 as well.

So looking for big things out of our men's sprinters and hurdlers.

>> Some great jumps in there to talk about as well in the Bob Eubanks got a couple more weeks or you go on the road.

Ann Arbor this week in your back home.

Take a stir.

Maybe what the next few weeks is looking like it.

I wrap up towards glee acts.

All the sudden the on the corner.

Yeah, you know, it goes wrong.

>> Rather quickly.

So we're just said in a few over to to Michigan summer, sprinters to to get into that competition.

Otherwise we'll probably be a home.

Most of the indoor season mainly to control the variables around covid and everything else we're dealing with with the uncertainty and in the week to week schedule.

But yeah, we'll get a few Springer servers over there to get some competition.

And then, you know, that play it week by week as we get more of these athletes back in the fold out of protocol.

Covid protocols.

We'll get them back on the track compete in building towards glia championships and ultimately the nca championships.

>> What I have plan a through Z with all the different things that can happen.

Hopefully a plan as we get to go with the best of what you're going for coach in trouble talking around Lee action.

People glad to see the winter season started out as usual.

So can keep up being the goat.

Thanks, Rick.

We'll be right back with more of the Grand Valley State sport report continues on WDTN.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> And even before the pandemic college sports felt a seismic shift when athletes began to take advantage of room.

Governing when and where they can play and gone forever, its first require athletes to be at their new school for a year before resuming their careers and these days most changes of venue can be achieved with a wave of a pen Grande.

Valley's men's basketball team serves as a prime example.

Well, senior Jake Van tubergen began and will end his college days in Allendale.

Most of the rest of his teammates will not coach says the current craze is be building a program to leave the different your continuity.

>> You know, the shared experiences that used to get in terms of building a program.

It's just different.

Everything happens at a much quicker rate.

>> And you're right here, OK, fine.

I'm lucid and not make it a read.

>> Well, Wesley knows the door swings both ways on transfers.

He admits he's a home run a few years back when he landed 3 excellent Division one players in one offseason Christian.

Right.

And I suggest remain as starters this year and occupy those lineup spots from day one thing the typical high school recruit seldom does a college Dean some ways it's easier because they're closer to be finished product.

But at same time they also come in was a little bit higher expectations versus a high school kid and just wants to fit in.

Well, they want to come in.

They want plane and it's that desire to play either more or for a better team are at a higher level drives the transfer market this year.

Grande Valley is adding more transfers including number later, followed you keidi and Lewis.

I played previously prickly act rival northwood University and Max farthing was a walk-on at Division one North Carolina State.

>> I never look at it.

Ask our this is a back seat mean.

Obviously the learning curve for me as well.

Every play basketball ways to get his curve because you learn something every year and I'm super glad to see us came back and I get to play with.

>> So future pros.

I was looking to only mild school.

I was a walk on there.

I felt like I was good enough to play for scholarship.

So honored.

And this was the early state getting an opportunity to play with the scholarship.

I thought it would be good to come here.

Get a great education.

>> Let's not get super over stressed the start.

Well, most everyone seems to agree student athlete should have maximum flexibility on how they use their college eligibility.

Now things transfer portal means recruiting for if Wesley and his staff never takes a break team rosters for all sports now churned through personnel rapidly, which is why Wesley cautions all athletes to remember the grass isn't always greener somewhere else.

>> I'm not careful.

You never happen.

You know, guys that go do 3 think they need to be 2 d 2 guys.

Cbd, one, the one guys think they need to go in the NBA sooner than they they they should.

>> Heading into the conference season.

The Lakers and many of their rivals.

No short handed some part of the year due to positive covid tests while the pandemic will alter rosters for a time this winter and spring the world and transfer fever and do the same.

As soon as this campaign is completed.

The Grand Valley.

State sports reporter.

I'm topped.

[MUSIC] >> That's all the time we have this week on the Grand Valley State sports report GPS to track and field to host the GSU.

Mike, let's alumni me to the Kelly family sports Center on January 22nd you men's and women's basketball travel up to the U p for a pair of games this week will take on Michigan Tech.

This Thursday will then travel over the market for a matchup against the Wildcats of northern Michigan for upcoming games as well as live broadcast of every Laker athletic program visit.

CBS you Lakers dot com for more of this show head to our youtube channel at youtube.

Dot com slash WGVU 35.

Make sure you hit the subscribe button to get updated video highlights all year long for the entire crew here at WGVU.

I'm Jake.

We have a great week.

Laker nation has always accurate.

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