The Adrian College Bulldogs shocked the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) by winning the postseason tournament to pick up an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. After winning three games in the MIAA Tournament, the Bulldogs have won 10 out of their last 12 games. During the selection show, the NCAA committee slotted the Bulldogs to face off against the regional host, North Central College. The Bulldogs play on Friday, March 6 in Naperville, Ill.
THE COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Kyle Lindsay (Adrian '09)
The Bulldogs are coached by fourth year head coach Kyle Lindsay. During Lindsay's four years at Adrian, he led the Bulldogs to two 8th place MIAA finishes and two 3rd place finishes. Lindsay helped lead Adrian to its first conference tournament win since 2012. Before Adrian, Lindsay was a member of the Trine University coaching staff. Lindsay defeated Trine in the MIAA Tournament Championship this season to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Head Assistant Coach: Aaron Tiknis (North Central '13)
The assistant coach for the Bulldogs is Aaron Tiknis. Tiknis is in his second season as assistant coach for Adrian. Prior to Adrian, Tiknis was a member of the North Central basketball team as a player and a coach once he graduated. During his senior year at North Central, Tiknis served as the big-man on the floor averaging 9.6 ppg and 6.7 rpg. With the Bulldogs first round matchup at North Central, Tiknis looks to return home to reclaim his gym.
THE SEASON
Leading up to the regular season, the Bulldogs were voted to finish in last place in the MIAA by every team in the conference. Adrian had other plans on its mind as they looked to prove the preseason poll wrong.
The Bulldogs started the season with a 3-5 record heading into the semester break. During the break, Adrian won the St. Andrews Products Classic hosted by Trine University. At that time, the Bulldogs defeated Hiram and RV Loras.
The Bulldogs started to get hot after the new year. After a 1-4 start to the conference season, Adrian came back and won seven on its next nine games. The Bulldogs received a third seed heading into the MIAA Tournament.
MIAA TOURNAMENT
After shocking the conference in the regular season, the Bulldogs were determined to do it again. Adrian hosted Hope College in the quarterfinal round of the MIAA Tournament. The Bulldogs were 1-1 against the Flying Dutchmen during the regular season, but claimed the series with an 83-73 win.
Adrian advanced to the semifinal game against Calvin University. After defeating Calvin at home by 15 and losing to them on the road by 29, the Bulldogs knew the game would be close. Adrian advanced to the tournament championship game with an 80-78 win over the Calvin Knights.
After an upset of the No. 1 seed in the MIAA Tournament, the Bulldogs battled against Trine in the MIAA Championship game. After a season split against Trine, the Bulldogs were ready to win the season series to advance to the tournament. Jeremy Kalonji put up a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Adrian came away with the 80-72 win to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time is school history.
THE STARTING FIVE
#1 Jordan Harris - Harris is one of the leaders of the floor for the black and gold. The junior averages 22.4 ppg on the season with 35.9 mpg and shoots 43.2% from the floor. Harris has the ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor with anyone in his face guarding him. Earlier this season, Harris reached a career milestone of 1,000 career points. In addition to his milestone, Harris was named MIAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week in December, along with a D3hoops Team of the Week honor, and 1st-Team All-Conference.
#4 Trey Helinski - Helinski came off the bench to start the season, but the Adrian, Mich. native stepped up in big situations to become part of the starting five the rest of the way. Helinski averages 8.1 ppg this season and has the ability to shoot from beyond the arc. Earlier this season, Helinski knocked down seven three-pointers against Kalamazoo to post a career-high 23 points.
#5 Robert Warrick - Warrick has started in all 28 games this season. Warrick averages 8.3 ppg this season to go along with his 19 steals and 25 blocks. Warrick is second on the team in rebounds with 116 on the season. Warrick's ability to communicate on the floor with his teammates and play strong and aggressive down low is what makes him a key part of this Bulldog team.
#13 Kendall Bellamy - Bellamy is another player that started the season coming off the bench. Since being added to the starting five at the beginning of February, Bellamy has been a key part to Adrian's success. Bellamy dropped a total of 45 points in the MIAA Tournament shooting at least 50% in all three games.
#35 Jeremy Kalonji - Kalonji is the second leading scorer on the team with 20 ppg. Kalonji is another Bulldog player that reached 1,000 career points this season. Kalonji stepped up big when it matter the most by scoring a total of 77 points in the MIAA Tournament including a 30 spot in the semifinal and 29 points in the championship. Kalonji has scored more than 10 points in every game this season except one. Kalonji was named MIAA Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week and was named 2nd-Team All-Conference.
OFF THE BENCH
#3 Connor Pelham - Pelham started in 11 games this season before being sidelined by injury. Pelham was able to come back at the right time as he saw playing time in the MIAA Tournament. This season Pelham has averaged 5.8 ppg with 3.5 rpg. Standing a 6'4, Pelham provides size on the floor for Adrian.
#21 Kaleb Swick - Swick averages 20.3 mpg this season as he's started in 16 games. Swick averages 5.2 ppg with a shooting percentage of 56.3%.
#24 Ke'Shaun Wyatt-Morris - According to coach Kyle Lindsay, Wyatt-Morris is the most improved player in the Adrian program over the last four years. Wyatt-Morris is shooting 58.3% from the floor. Wyatt-Morris holds the strength down low to battle in anyone that guards him. He has been a threat in the low block when it comes to scoring and rebounding.
WORDS FROM COACH LINDSAY
Preparation: "We are excited for this opportunity and we are working really hard to prepare. We are very grateful for all of the support we have received from alumni and fans."
Expectations: "North Central is a really good basketball team. We are going to have to work to limit them to one shot. If we can do that, we will put ourselves in a position to be successful."
NORTH CENTRAL
North Central is making its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Cardinals were the host school in 2019 where they defeated Chatham in first round 77-48 but fell to Loras College 84-82. North Central enters with an overall record of 21-5 on the season and picked up an at-large bid after losing to No. 22 Elmhurst in the CCIW Tournament. Of the Cardinal's five losses, three come at home in the Merner Field House. North Central is 3-3 against ranked opponents and enters the weekend ranked No. 11 by d3hoops.com.
The Cardinals are led by Connor Raridon who averages 14.2 ppg, with 7.1 rpg. Matt Cappelletti follows Raridon with 13.9 ppg and 6.8 rpg. As a team, North Central averages 75.3 ppg and gives up an average of 65.2.
REGION TEAMS
GAME 1
Game one of the tournament will feature the reigning National Champions University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Transylvania University. Game one is set to tip-off on Friday at 5:00 PM at the Merner Field House.
Transylvania finished 19-8 on the season with a 12-3 record in the Southern Athletic Association. Transylvania picked up an automatic bid to the tournament after a 49-48 win in the conference tournament championship game against Rose-Hulman.
UW-Oshkosh enters with a 19-8 record on the season and received an automatic bid with a tournament win in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They finished 11-3 in conference and look to reclaim the status of National Champions.
SCHEDULE
First Round Game 1: Friday, March 6 | 5:00 PM CST. | Transylvania vs. UW-Oshkosh
First Round Game 2: Friday, March 6 | 7:30 PM CST. | Adrian vs. North Central
Second Round: Saturday, March 7 | 7:00 PM CST. | Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets: $12 for adults, $7 for seniors/youth/students with valid ID. Free admission for children age 2 and under. Cash and credit cards accepted. Ticket sales will open at 3:45 p.m. Friday.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING INFORMATION
Location: Merner Field House/Gregory Arena, 450 S. Brainard St., Naperville, IL 60540. Click HERE for directions to campus. Parking is located across the street and behind the Merner Field House along with street parking and the double decked parking garage on campus.