Trenton Nickel (
Kiel, Wis.) really put his game together near the ending of the 2019-20 Lakeland University men's basketball season. He played off the bench for the first half of the season and then finally got into the starting lineup.
"It was another reassurance that my coaches and teammates believed in me," said Nickel of his elevation into the starting lineup.
Nickel averaged 6.5 points per game the first sixteen games of the season, in which he started five of those games. Entering the last nine games, he really found his game. He averaged 16.7 points in the Muskies' last nine contests the Muskies had, and he shot a blistering 68.8% from the floor and 60.4% from three-point range on his way to receiving Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Second Team honors.
Nickel is hoping to keep the momentum from last season moving into the shortened season ahead due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Lakeland finished the season strong winning seven of its last 10 regular season games. The Muskies lost by three points in the opening round of the NACC Tournament last year.
"We were peaking at the right time," said Nickel, "and were one shot away from making some noise in the NACC Tournament."
A start like that will be needed for the Muskies as the season will consist of 10 games and then the NACC Tournament. The Muskies are scheduled to begin their season January 16 by hosting MSOE.
Lakeland is bringing back a good upperclassmen class which includes Nickel.
"We have a great group of seniors who have logged a lot of minutes together. JP, Zach, and I have some unfinished business and are excited with the class of transfers and freshmen we have brought in."
Nickel finished averaging 10.2 points a game last season and led the team shooting 56.0% from the field. He is hoping these stats continue by pushing himself during this roller coaster offseason and school year.
"At least the last two weeks have been warm, so I go to a local park to get my shots up," he said. "I am doing all that I can to be ready once we get the okay to resume activities."
Nickel follows large footsteps as his dad, Cory Nickel, left a legacy behind at Lakeland. Cory scored 1,498 points during his time as a Muskie and has been inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame. Cory led his team to a NCAA Tournament berth during the 2003-04 season.
Son Trenton is also looking to lead his team right back to the NCAA Tournament. "It'd be great to get post-season recognition, but I'd take an NCAA Tournament berth over that in a heartbeat," he said.
With the NCAA granting student-athletes an additional season due to the shortening or cancellations of seasons, Nickel will be returning for his fifth year at Lakeland as he pursues his masters in business administration.
"This situation worked out perfectly," said Nickel. "I just hope by next year we have returned to normal and can enjoy a full season without any hiccups."
