SEASON OPENER
• Michigan Tech opens the 2026-27 regular season on Friday against Winona State at 4 p.m. Eastern at the JustAGame Crossover in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
• The Huskies continue tournament play on Saturday against Missouri-St. Louis at 4 p.m. Eastern.
• The Huskies begin their sixth season under head coach Josh Buettner.
• Tech was picked third in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving two first-place votes.
• The Huskies return 11 players from last season's NCAA Division II Elite Eight team and welcome one transfer and five freshmen.
 
WATCH THE GAMES
• Friday's game will be streamed through the JustAGame Fieldhouse website with a $10 pay-per-view webcast.
 
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
• Winona State enters the matchup with a 1-2 record after competing in the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.
• The Warriors opened the season with a 73-72 overtime loss to Lake Erie College before earning an 83-74 victory over Chaminade.
• Winona State dropped its most recent contest against St. Edward's, 72-65.
• The Warriors are averaging 73.3 points and 43.0 rebounds per game while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from three-point range.
• Luke Haertle and Ryan Heise lead Winona State in scoring, averaging 12.3 points per game.
• Gavyn Hurley is averaging 10.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
• Haertle also leads the Warriors with 8.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
• Winona State was picked sixth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
SCOUTING THE TRITONS
• Missouri-St. Louis enters the weekend with a 0-1 record after falling 86-63 to Kentucky Wesleyan on Nov. 9.
• The Tritons shot 42.3 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from three-point range in their season opener.
• UMSL recorded 22 rebounds and 12 assists against Kentucky Wesleyan.
• Miles Boland led the Tritons with 15 points and seven assists.
• Jake Hamilton led UMSL with six rebounds.
• The Tritons are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
• Missouri-St. Louis faces Northern Michigan on Friday before taking on Michigan Tech Saturday.
 
LAST TIME OUT
• Friday's matchup marks the first regular-season game of the 2026-27 season for Michigan Tech.
• The Huskies look to build on last season's NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance.
• Tech returns 11 players from last year's roster, providing continuity heading into the new campaign.
 
STATS TO WATCH
• Winona State is averaging 73.3 points per game through its first three contests.
• The Warriors are averaging 43.0 rebounds per game, including a 7.3 rebound advantage over their opponents.
• Luke Haertle and Ryan Heise are both averaging 12.3 points per game.
• Junior Gabe Smith returns as Michigan Tech's leading returning rebounder after averaging 6.8 rebounds per game last season.
• Smith also led the Huskies with 62 steals in 2025-26.
 
COACH BUETTNER
• Josh Buettner begins his sixth season as head coach of the Michigan Tech men's basketball program.
• Buettner has guided the Huskies to continued success in the GLIAC, including last season's NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance.
• The Huskies return 11 players from last season's roster and welcome one transfer and five freshmen.
 
PRESEASON ALL-GLIAC
• Junior Gabe Smith was named to the Preseason All-GLIAC First Team.
• Smith started all 36 games as a sophomore, averaging 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.5 assists per game.
• The St. Germain, Wisconsin, native led the Huskies with 244 rebounds and 62 steals last season.
• Smith has appeared in 68 career games for Michigan Tech, totaling 498 points and 357 rebounds.
 
RETURNING HUSKIES
• Jesse Napgezek returns after averaging 7.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season.
• Gabe Smith returns as one of Tech's top all-around contributors, leading the team in rebounds and steals in 2025-26.
• The Huskies also return several experienced contributors from last year's Elite Eight squad.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
• The Huskies return to Houghton for their home opener against Concordia-St. Paul on Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.
• Michigan Tech hosts Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m.
• The Huskies welcome Marian on Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. before hosting Winona State again on Nov. 28 at 2 p.m.
 
GLIAC PRESEASON POLL

1. Grand Valley State, 89 (5)
2. Lake Superior State, 89 (3)
3. Michigan Tech, 83 (2)
4. Ferris State, 68 (1)
5. Parkside, 56
6. Northern Michigan, 51
7. Purdue Northwest, 49
8. Saginaw Valley State, 47
9. Wayne State, 37
10. Davenport, 26
11. Roosevelt, 10