It’s hard to believe, but college basketball season is almost here. This week, we’ll preview Michigan’s eight Division III schools.

By Patrick Hayes

At a glance

• Coach: Terry Smith, second season
• Last year: 10-13
• Conference: Independent
• Key losses: Alex Fitch, Chase Leskela
• Key additions: Craig Raasio (freshman from Hancock), Luke Paul (freshman from Hancock), Swartzen Jarmond (freshman from New York), Anthony Crowell (freshman from California), Darrius Butler (freshman from Detroit), Dylan Schroeder (freshman from Brimley), Charron McCain (freshman), Marvin Ayi-Bamah (freshman)
• Team website
• Team roster
• Finlandia news on BallinMichigan

Overview

Returning three players who scored in double figures should be an advantage for Finlandia as the team looks to improve on its 10-13 record from last season.

Strengths

Jonathan Moore, Anthony Grandberry and Keith Arnold give Finlandia just over 40 points per game of production returning to the lineup this season.

Moore, a 6-foot-5 forward, led the team in scoring at 15.0 points per game last season and rebounding at 6.1 per game. Grandberry, a guard, averaged 13.3 points and led the team in assists at 3.6 per game. He was also the team’s best 3-point shooter at 36 percent. Arnold, a guard, averaged 11.8 points and 2.3 assists per game.

The Lions were a strong second half team last season, out-scoring opponents 973-971 in second halves. The team only played four home games last season, winning all four, so going up to 10 home dates this year should be exciting for the school.

Weaknesses

With a 10-13 record and a reputation as a good second half team, that obviously means Finlandia didn’t get off to great starts. Opponents out-scored them 927-885 in first halves.

The Lions were also a poor shooting team, making just 42 percent of their shots, 30 percent of their 3-pointers and 61 percent of their 3-pointers. Boosting those numbers by a couple of percentage points across the board should help them in close games.

The team also has to replace one key player, Leskela, who averaged 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season.

Circle these dates …

• Nov. 7 – The Lions get to test themselves against a Division II opponent and fellow Upper Peninsula team in Michigan Tech.
• Nov. 17 – Ditto above, except sub Northern Michigan in this game.
• Nov. 30 – Finlandia takes on its third GLIAC opponent, Ferris State.

Outlook

With the firepower coming back as well as a challenging schedule, Finlandia should improve on last year’s record.

Previously

• Key players all return as Adrian looks to build on second place finish
• Alma College has to replace two MIAA All-Conference players
• Albion gets boost from extra returning player

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