Tech picked to finish 1st in GLIAC Men's B-Ball poll
Courtesy of the GLIAC
BAY CITY, Mich. – The Michigan Tech men’s basketball team was picked first in the North Division of the 2012 GLIAC Men’s Basketball Poll, and senior Ali Haidar<http://michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/bios/haidar%20ali00.html>was named the GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year.
The Huskies, who finished 16-12 in the 2011-12 season, received 157 votes, including eight first place votes. Wayne State was picked second with 155 votes and nine first place votes.
“We are excited about being picked to win the North, but preseason polls don’t matter,” said head coach Kevin Luke. “Post season polls are what we are striving for. Our league is very balanced, and if we are there at the end we have had a great year!”
Haidar, who was named the league’s player of the year in 2011-12, was named the GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year. Last season the Windsor, Ont., native averaged 19.1 points per game, 38th in the nation, and 9.4 rebounds, 19th best in the country.
“Again, it is an honor for Ali to be picked preseason player of the year,” said Luke. “He will be a target this whole season. He really needs to perform well for us to have a good season.”
Junior Alex Culy<http://michigantechhuskies.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/bios/culy%20alex00.html>was named to the Preseason North Division Second Team. The Rice Lake, Wis., native averaged 8.8 points, including 57 3-pointers, fourth most in the league.
“Alex is very deserving to be picked as an all-conference performer,” said Luke. “He is the true example of a student-athlete. He gives us everything he has every night.”
The men’s basketball team will host Finlandia in an exhibition game on Nov. 7 before opening the regular season at Southwest Minnesota State on Nov. 15.
*North Division*
*1. Michigan Tech (8), 157*
2. Wayne State (9), 155
3. Ferris State (4), 141
4. Northwood (2), 115
5. Grand Valley State, 111
6. Lake Superior State, 68
7. Saginaw Valley State, 50
8. Northern Michigan, 31
*South Division*
1. Findlay (17), 178
2. Hillsdale (5), 159
3. Ashland (1), 140
4. Tiffin, 86
5. Walsh, 78
6. Lake Erie, 72
7. Malone, 70
8. Ohio Dominican, 45