Men's Basketball News

Point Guard Clinic at Finlandia Rescheduled!!! - April 21, 2008

The Point Guard Clinc originally scheduled for April 12th has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 1st from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please contact Curtis Wittenberg at 906-487-7214.

POINT GUARD COLLEGE BASKETBALL CLINIC POSTPONED!!! - April 10, 2008

Due to weather related travel complications, the basketball clinic scheduled for April 12, 2008 has been postponed and will  be rescheduled at a later date.  Please watch for e-mail's and this website for updates or call Curtis Wittenberg at 906-487-7214.

Finlandia to host Point Guard College Basketball Clinic

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!

HANCOCK - Be a part of the Point Guard College basketball clinic hosted by the Finlandia University Basketball Programs.  Players will be challenged to think the game, regardless of position.  The Point Guard Collegte gives athletes the chance to improve leadership, develop fundamentals, and create an understanding of the game like never before!

This 1 day clinic for the dedicated athlete will be led by former All-American and WNBA draftee of the Indiana Fever last year, Lyndsey Meddars.  Meddars will teach participants the same skills and fundamentals and essentials that helped her lead the nation in assists in 2005 - 2006 as a four year starter at Iowa State University.

The clinic will be held at the Paavo Nurmi Center on the campus of Finlandia University Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Cost of the clinic is $75 per athlete (includes lunch) and $25 per observing coach (includes lunch).  Participating athletes must be currently in the 8th grade on up to college.   We are limiting the clinic to 60 athletes, so sign up early.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Curtis Wittenberg by  e-mail or by phone at 906-487-7214.

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FU Men Beat D-II Northern Michigan - December 5, 2007

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Finlandia University men's basketball team won its second game in a row. Finlandia spoiled NMU's home opener on Wednesday night. The Lions defeated the ‘Cats by a score of 75-58. For Finlandia it was its third all-time victory over NMU. FU (then Suomi College) defeated NMU during the 1956-57 (73-65) and 2000-01 (67-62) seasons. FU improves to 2-4 on the season will the Wildcats are still looking for their first win are now 0-6.

The first six plus minutes of the game was close as neither team built a lead larger than three points. NMU had a 16-12 lead, then FU led the rest of the half except for two ties. Finlandia tied the score at 25-all with 4:42 remaining to half. Over the final four plus minutes of the half the Lions went on a 13-3 run. The score at half was 38-28. FU for the first 20 minutes of the game was 15-30 from the floor for 50 percent while the ‘Cats were struggling at 37.9 percent (11-29).

The second half belonged to the Lions. FU led the entire 20 minutes of play. Northern made a three-pointer at 12:33 as the ‘Cats were trailing (55-42). That was as close as NMU would get on the night.

FU ended the game by shooting 50 percent from the floor (29-58), while NMU shot 41 percent from the floor (21-51). FU had the edge off the glass at 36-28.

Finlandia's Erik Bresette led all scorers with 24 points and all rebounders with 11. Tyler Gorden also added 18 points and 8 rebounds for the Lions.

Finlandia will face the University of Wisconsin - Superior on Monday (Dec. 10) in Superior, Wisconsin at 8:00 p.m.

Harrington Student-Athlete of the Month - March 11
Finlandia University basketball forward Victor Harrington was identified March 9 as one of two recipients of the February 2007 Association of Division III Independents Student-Athlete of the Month award. Alva Jeffreys of Mitchell College also received the February award.

Harrington, a senior graphic design major from Chassell, Mich., led the Lions in February, averaging 26.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He hit 58.5 percent of his field-goal attempts. The Lions were 2-3 for the month.

Harrington, also named to the all-tournament team at the February 24-25 Independents Men’s Midwest Championship, finished his career with averages of 19.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and a field-goal percentage of 48.3 percent.

“The award is definitely justified. The last six games of the season Victor scored more than 160 points. That alone gets attention,” said Charlie Kemppainen, head men’s basketball coach. “We also played better as a team in February. Victor played really well down the stretch for us.”

Kudos Go to Finlandia Men's Basketball Players - March 9, 2007

The Association of Division III Independents has announced that two Finlandia University men's basketball team members have been named to the season-end All-Independents Men's Basketball Team.

Senior center Victor Harrington, Chassell, Mich., earned a spot on the Second Team. Freshman guard Tyler Gordon, Bay Cliff, Mich., was named to the men's Honorable Mention Team.

Harrington, 6'7", was first on the team in average points (18.57), rebounds per game (7.38), and blocks (15), and second in minutes played, shooting percentage (.474), and steals (18). Harrington was also named to the Independents Midwest Regional Tournament Team at the end of February 2007.

“Victor didn't play last season due to a knee injury. For some, it might hurt their game, but for Victor it helped his game. It made him a much smarter and more mature player,” says fifth-year head coach Charlie Kemppainen. “He was a factor on both sides of the ball. Victor was one of only two seniors this season among mostly freshman players; he stepped up in his leadership role because of it.”

Gordon, a regular starter for the Lions this season, was first on the team in assists (67), field goal percentage (.478), and minutes played, second in scoring per game (16.13), and third in rebounds per game (3.957).

“Tyler wasn't just effective on the offensive side, he did the little things necessary on the defensive end, too,” says Kemppainen. “He is one of the best rebounding perimeter players and as a freshman showed strong leadership.” Gordon was typically matched with the opponent's best shooting guard.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 25 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in nine sports in 2006-07. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis.

For additional information about the Finlandia University men's basketball program contact Charlie Kemppainen at 906-487-7238 or charlie.kemppainen@finlandia.edu. Visit www.finlandia.edu for complete men's and women's basketball results and statistics.

Men's Basketball Finishes Strong - February 28, 2007

The Lions went through the 2006-2007 season a bit frustrated but finished strong at the 2007 NCAA Division III Indpendents Midwest Regional Touranment. 

The Lions, seeded number four, first faced the number one seed and host Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).  With strong showings from Victor Harrington (Chassell, MI) and Tyler Gordon (Bay Cliff, WI), the Lions could not pass the Raiders in overtime.  Finlandia dropped the first game of the tournament, 75-68 OT.

"Turnovers and second chance opportunites really hurt us," says fifth-year head coach Charlie Kemppainen.  The Lions committed 24 turnovers to MSOE's 20.  The Lions were out-rebounded 45-21. 

Gordon went 10-15 from the floor, giving him 24 points.  He also tallied a team high of five assists and four steals.  Harrington totaled 17 points and nine rebounds. 

Overall, Finlandia shot 48% from the field. 

In the consolation game, the Lions saw the University of Dallas.  Down by five points at half, Finlandia picked up the pace and outscored Dallas 53-38 in the second half.  The Lions walked away with a victory in the consolation game, 86-76. 

"We still had a few too many turnovers," says Kemppainen, "but we did a better job on the offense boards."  Finlandia had the edge in the rebounds category, out-rebounding Dallas, 32-31.  

Harrington had another strong showing.  The 6'7" senior showed his skills from behind the arc, going 5-8 in three-point land.   Overall, he posted 36 points and 14 rebounds.  Gordon tallied seven steals and 22 points.  Off the bench, Drew Schultz (Newberry, MI) went 6-6 from the charity stripe, posting 11 points in his 30 minutes.

"I was pleased with the character we have shown the last few games," concludes Kemppainen.  "We had good spurts and given up some spurts, but our approach was steady.  We didn't get down mentally when we were behind.  Aside from the turnovers, we were playing our best." 

Harrington was placed on the All-Tournament Team.  This weekend he averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds per game.

The Lions concluded their 2006-2007 season with a 5-18 record.

Finlandia Fourth Seed in Independents Midwest Regional - February 21, 2007

The pairings have been set for the 2007 NCAA Independents Midwest Regional Tournament. The men's basketball tourney will be hosted by the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Saturday, February 24, and Sunday, February 25.

On Saturday, February 24, in the first semifinal contest, the host and number one seed Milwaukee School of Engineering (14-11) will face number four seed Finlandia University (3-17) at 5 p.m. The second semifinal, at 7 p.m., will match the University of Dallas (12-13), the number two seed in the tournament, against number three seed Clarke College (8-17).

On Sunday February 25, the consolation game will be played at noon, followed by the championship game at 2 p.m. An all-tournament team will be announced at the conclusion of the championship game.

Admission on both days is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students with ID.

For additional information about Finlandia University 's men's basketball program, please contact Charlie Kemppainen at 906-487-7238 or charlie.kemppainen@finlandia.edu .

Lions Can't Get a Win in Eau Claire - December 31, 2006

Marian College of Fond du Lac won the consolation championship of the 38 th annual Eau Claire Holiday Classic with a 72-52 triumph over Finlandia University at the W. L. Zorn Arena here Saturday night.

The Sabres capitalized on Finlandia miscues to build a 40-25 halftime lead and were never threatened in the second half as they evened their season record at 5-5.

Marian dropped into the consolation game with a 73-54 loss to host UW-Eau Claire in the first round Friday but the Sabres bounced back to win their third game in their last four outings against Finlandia.  Marian used 13 first-half turnovers by Finlandia to score 12 points and gained nine offensive rebounds which led to another 12 points.

The Sabres finished the half strong, outscoring Finlandia 20-11 over the last 8:36 of the half to go up by 15 at the intermission.  After Finlandia made the first bucket of the second half, the Sabres continued to pad their lead which peaked at 25 on two occasions (63-38 and 65-40) before the head coach cleared his bench.

Marian outscored Finlandia, 21-2, on second chance points, building a 43-33 advantage on the boards including 18 on the offensive end.  The Sabres also got to the free throw line 23 times compared to just nine for Finlandia.

Finlandia, which lost for the eighth straight game, was led by guard Tyler Gordon (Red Cliff, WI) who slashed his way to 13 points.  Tucker Thoreson (Crystal Falls, MI) contributed 11.  The Lions are now 2-10 for the season.

Eau CLaire, Wartburg Move into Classic Finals - December 30, 2006

UW-Eau Claire and Wartburg College will square off in the championship game of the Eau Claire Holiday Classic Saturday after claiming relatively easy first round victories at the W. L. Zorn Arena here Friday.

Wartburg jumped to a 16-2 lead in the first five minutes of its game and was never threatened in notching an 88-63 decision over Finlandia University.

Eau Claire used an 11-2 spurt in the first six minutes of the second half to break from a 29-27 halftime lead to a 73-54 verdict over Marian College.

Eau Claire , now 7-3 on the season, will be seeking its eighth consecutive title and 27 th overall in the 38-year history of the Holiday Classic. Wartburg, a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from Waverly, has only faced an Eau Claire team on the hardwood once before and that was during the 1949-50 season when the Blugolds claimed a 66-59 decision.

The tournament continues at 6 p.m. Saturday when Finlandia, a 2-9 team, will face Marian, a 4-5 team from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in the third place game. The title game is slated to begin at 8 p.m.

Wartburg, now 5-4 overall, outscored Finlandia, 35-8, off turnovers as Finlandia committed 27 miscues to just 10 for Wartburg. Six-foot-five junior guard Lee Nelson led Wartburg with 20 points including six three-pointers. The Knights connected on 10 of 31 shots from beyond the arc. Nelson was one of four Wartburg players in double figures. James Menke scored 14, Allen Weaver 13 and Danny Stark 10. Twelve different players got into the Knights' scoring colum. Victor Harrington (Chassell, MI) had the team-high for Finlandia with 15.

The Eau Claire-Marian contest was close for the first half with two ties and six lead changes. The Blugolds built their biggest lead at 29-22 with 2:03 to go but Marian closed out the half with the final five points.

After Eau Claire streaked to a 42-31 lead in the first six minutes of the second half, only once did Marian get the deficit to single digits thereafter. The Blugold lead peaked at 21 on two occasions: 67-46 with 4:24 to go and 71-50 with 2:33 remaining.

In remaining unbeaten at 6-0 in the all-time series with Marian, Eau Claire had four players in double digits led by Dan Beyer with 17 points. Geoff Probst added 14, Jared Bardon 13 and Luke Meier 11. Jerid Holewinski was the leading scorer for Marian with 11 while Titus Redmond contributed 10.

The Blugolds had a commanding 42-22 advantage on the boards to offset their 20-13 edge in turnovers. The Blugolds also hit 54 percent from the field compared to 37 percent for Marian.

The Blugolds are working on a five-game win streak after dropping three of their first five contests this year. Wartburg has some Wisconsin ties. Head coach Dick Peth was an all-state player at Tomah while assistant coach Oliver Drake was an assistant for Blugold coach Terry Gibbons one year and was also a head coach at nearby Cadott High School.

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