• NKU 63
• ETSU 75
• NKU continues their two game stretch in Tennessee, this time falling to the ETSU Buccaneers. Outside of Gherezgher and Oday, there aren’t many positives to find from this performance.  
• ETSU moves to 2-1. 
• NKU moves to 1-2. 
• Freedom Hall, Johnson City, TN | 11/12/2025

his game was ultimately decided by ETSU’s defensive intensity and NKU’s inability to consistently shoot the basketball. The Norse opened the night 1–10 from three and finished the first half 4–17 from deep. Things didn’t improve much after the break, as NKU went just 3–13 from beyond the arc in the second half. On top of the shooting issues, NKU turned the ball over 18 times, with ETSU generating 13 steals.

From what I was able to watch tonight, ETSU dictated tempo by pressuring NKU into questionable shot selection—an early-season trend that resurfaced again. That pressure also kept NKU off the free-throw line, where the Norse attempted just 14 total FTs.

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Dan Gherezgher and Donovan Oday Shine

Dan Gherezgher found his rhythm tonight and delivered a breakout performance, scoring 24 points to keep NKU competitive throughout the first half. He added 1 rebound and 2 assists, though his 4 turnovers were costly.

Donovan Oday turned in another strong showing with 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists in 32 minutes. He also added an electric dunk that provided one of NKU’s biggest sparks of the night. These two continue to be NKU’s most consistent offensive pieces, but they will need more support as the season progresses.

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LJ Wells: Early-Season Concerns

LJ Wells’ first three games raise some legitimate concern. He has now fouled out of two of his first three games. After logging 32 minutes against Tennessee, he managed only 17 minutes tonight. Against UC, the blowout kept him on the sideline, not foul trouble—yet foul issues have still followed.

In NKU’s two Division I matchups, Wells is averaging 2 points and 6 rebounds while fouling out both times. He is generating 2.5 steals per game, but is also averaging 2.5 turnovers.

In the preseason, I noted that NKU needed significant nightly production from Wells to reach their ceiling. While the competition has been stiff, these early numbers are cause for concern.

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Offensive Help Needed Beyond the Top Two

Outside of Oday and Gherezgher, NKU scored just 25 total points. If that duo combines for 55–60, maybe NKU survives the lack of depth scoring. But when they combine for 38, a third scorer has to emerge.

Kael Robinson finished with 7 points on 3–12 shooting (1–6 from three), adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists, but also 4 turnovers.
Ethan Elliott added 6 points, 3 boards, and 1 assist, but likewise committed 4 turnovers.

Among the bench pieces expected to contribute, Tae Dozier and Shawn Nelson combined for 8 points on 2–11 shooting (1–5 from three). NKU needs more consistent production from these wing/guard reserve options. Nelson has flashed at times, but consistency remains the key.

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The Positives

Despite the offensive struggles, NKU did several things well:

• Points off turnovers: NKU won this margin 29–19.
• Forced turnovers: ETSU turned it over 18 times; NKU recorded 12 steals.
• Rebounding: NKU won the glass 35–32 and pulled down 15 offensive boards.
• Transition play: NKU dominated the break 31–13.

The biggest frustration is converting those 15 offensive rebounds into just 6 second-chance points.

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Big-Picture Thoughts After Three Games

There are plenty of areas to nit-pick, but it’s important to recognize context: NKU was not favored tonight, and the Tennessee game was a true buy-game against a top-tier SEC opponent.

We now have three very different data points, and several encouraging themes are emerging:

• NKU wants to run—and they’re good at it.
• The defense generates turnovers, especially live-ball, leading to transition success.
• Oday has translated to the D1 level exactly as expected—athletic, disruptive, and confident.
• Rebounding has clearly improved from last season.
• Robinson’s addition is making a difference on the glass and defensively.
• Wells should level out as competition normalizes, but the fouling must be addressed immediately.

Through three games, NKU sits at 1–2—the expectation entering the year. Now comes the stretch where NKU transitions to a more even level of competition and begins preparing for Horizon League play. In reality, for a program like NKU, the biggest thing is learning from these early season games as the Horizon is clearly a one bid league and the season will come down to how the Norse play in conference play, and in the Horizon Tournament.

Next up for NKU: Sunday vs. University of Cumberlands at Truist Arena in highland Heights!  1:00 on ESPN+. I will be out of town, but will sit have you covered from Tennessee! 

Next up for ETSU: Saturday @ North Alabama as a part of the SoCon/ASUN challenge! 3:00 on ESPN+.