MBB Preview: Storm look to bounce back against Luther

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson College men's basketball team will start a three-game homestand tonight with a 5:30 p.m. contest against Luther.

The Storm (1-5, 1-3 A-R-C) lost 87-74 to undefeated Dubuque on Saturday and the Norse (0-1, 0-1 A-R-C) opened their season with a 79-58 defeat against Buena Vista.

Todd Guessford and Ethan Humble will be on the call as the game will be streamed live through SimpsonAthletics.com. Pregame will begin at 5:15 p.m.

GAME 7
Luther (0-1, 0-1 A-R-C) at Simpson (1-5, 1-3 A-R-C)
Monday, Feb. 8 | 5:30 p.m.
Cowles Fieldhouse | Indianola, Iowa
Live Video | Live Stats

SIMPSON ATTENDANCE POLICY
At this time, the general public, faculty, staff and students will not be allowed to attend home contests inside Cowles Fieldhouse. Student-athletes and coaches from both teams will be permitted two spectators that can attend.

Click HERE for the full release from Simpson Athletics.

LUTHER SERIES NOTES
Simpson has won nine of the last 10 contests in the series as both teams square up for the 161st time this evening ... the Norse grabbed an 83-73 victory over the Storm in the first meeting last season to snap a nine-game losing skid, before Simpson erupted for an 88-57 triumph for the largest margin of victory by either team in the series since Simpson won by 34 during the 1989-90 campaign ... over the last 15 meetings, only six contests have been decided by 10 points or less, with only two being within four points.

RECENT RESULTS
Jan. 29, 2020 — W, 88-57 (Indianola)
Jan. 19, 2020 — L, 83-73 (Decorah)
Feb. 4, 2019 — W, 90-81 (Indianola)
Dec. 3, 2018 — W, 94-69 (Decorah)
Jan. 31, 2018 — W, 92-75 (Decorah)

ABOUT THE NORSE
Luther was picked to tie for seventh with Central in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll ... the Norse and 15th-year head coach Mark Franzen come into the matchup with just one game under their belts after a 79-58 lost to Buena Vista on Saturday, Feb. 6 in the season opener ... Aaron Blumberg led the way with 12 points while 13 players recorded a point in the contest ... as a team, the offense shot 36.2% from the field and 28.0% from deep.

LAST TIME OUT
Junior Chris Honz recorded his second double-double of the season on Saturday as the Storm fell, 87-74, at Dubuque ... Honz tallied a career-high 26 points to go along with 11 rebounds as Simpson looked to knock off the undefeated Spartans ... Senior Alec Hinson and junior Deontei Johnson both ended with 10 points as Johnson tallied his third straight game in double figures ... the Storm shot 48.3% from the floor for the team's highest percentage this season.

UP NEXT
Wartburg (2-5, 0-3 A-R-C) visits on Wednesday with the game beginning at 5:30 p.m. inside Cowles Fieldhouse.