Ferris State University Men's Basketball Tickets

Ferris State University, located in Big Rapids, Michigan, is a Division II school that has become one of the premier programs in all of college basketball. The men's basketball team, led by head coach Andy Bronkema, has consistently risen through the ranks over the past few years, and they now stand as one of the most exciting and competitive teams in the country.

One of the things that sets Ferris State apart from many other teams at their level is their commitment to playing great defense. Bronkema stresses the importance of defensive intensity and effort in every practice and game, and his players have responded in kind. In the 2018-19 season, Ferris State allowed just 62.1 points per game, the second-lowest mark in the entire country. By being so strong defensively, they're able to stay in games even when their shooting isn't quite on point.

Of course, Ferris State isn't all about defense – they also have some potent offensive weapons. Center Zach Hankins was the team's leading scorer last season, averaging 15.1 points per game while also pulling down 9.6 rebounds. However, Hankins has since graduated, leaving a big hole in the lineup. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, they have plenty of talented players ready to step up and take his place.

One of those players is junior guard D'angelo Hughes, who put up 13.3 points per game last year and will no doubt be counted on to provide even more scoring punch in 2019-20. Another option could be sophomore forward Michael Peterson, who had a breakout performance in the Bulldogs' Elite Eight game against Northwest Missouri State, scoring 22 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Sophomore guard Walt Kelser is another player to keep an eye on – he was named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year last year after averaging 9.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Last season, Ferris State went 24-9 overall and 16-4 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), winning both the regular season and tournament championships. They also made a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, ultimately falling to eventual national champion Northwest Missouri State in the Elite Eight. It was a remarkable season for the Bulldogs, and one that has set expectations high for this year's squad.

Ferris State will certainly face some tough challenges in 2019-20. The GLIAC is always loaded with talented teams, and they'll have to contend with longtime rivals like Grand Valley State and Michigan Tech. Beyond that, the non-conference schedule is stacked with games against higher-level opponents like Central Michigan, Western Michigan, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. However, if the Bulldogs can maintain their trademark defensive prowess while also finding consistent scoring from guys like Hughes, Peterson, and Kelser, they should be in good shape to compete for another GLIAC title and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Whether you're a fan of Ferris State specifically or just a hoops addict looking for some exciting college basketball action, this is definitely a team worth watching in 2019-20. With their intense defense, explosive scoring potential, and proven track record of success, the Bulldogs are one of the most intriguing squads in all of Division II basketball, and they're poised to make some serious noise this season.