Kearney, Neb. - Fresh off a trip to Florida, the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball teams starts the regular season this Sunday (Nov. 11th) at South Dakota Mines.

This will start a stretch of five games in eight days as the Lopers are at Chadron State (Nov. 12th), at Hastings (Nov. 13th) and at Wayne State (Nov. 15th) before hosting No. 13 Colorado School of Mines (Nov. 18th).

Dave Jenner will have the call for the Chadron game on KGFW AM 1340. Fans can watch the Mines & Chadron games via live video stream at www.americaonesports.com (for a price).

There will be no live stats for the Mines & Chadron but live stats are available once again for all home games and at Chadron.

UNK prepped for the upcoming year with a game against Loper men's basketball alumni and an exhibition tilt with the Florida Gators.

Against UF, freshman guard Sami Bzai (Gilbert, Ariz.) scored a team-high 19 points with junior post Mike Dentlinger (11) and sophomore wing Pierre Newton (18) also in doule figures.


South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
The SDMT Hardrockers are in the second year of  two-year probationary period. A former NAIA school that is competing as an independent, they'll earn full D2 status with the 2013-14 academic year.

Over the last two seasons, the 'Rockers schedule has been a mix of D2 and NAIA opponents.Mines went 16-14 in 2011-12, falling to RMAC -members Metro State, 56-45, and Colorado Mines, 70-66, in the process.

The 'Rockers top five scorers must be replaced as three graduated with seniors Michael Dietz (6-8) and Lance Kilburn (6-5) redshirting this winter. That means the top returning scorers are 6-8 junior forward Caleb Shockman (6.3) and 6-3 junior guard Lucas Nolan (4.3).

UNK beat SDMT, 100-75, during the 2000 season and the two haven't met since.

Chadron State
The Eagles and UNK are very familiar with each other as they squared off three times last season.

In the regular season finale, Chadron posted a wild 75-73 victory in a rowdy Armstrong Gym. However, the Lopers got their revenge, 86-63, a few days later in the RMAC Tournament.

Chadron must replace its top three scorers off that 13-14 squad with 5-9 point guard Sammy Hines (8.7) and 6-6 senior forward Josh Hatcher (5.3) among the top returners.

A newcomer to watch is 6-5 junior wing Zac Bargen, son of Eagle head coach Brent Bargen.

Hastings College
The NAIA Broncos are already 2-0 with games slated for Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 in Crete.

Last year, Hastings went 12-18 (6-14 GPAC). Tobin Reinwald, and his 17.5 points per game, must be replaced as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in October.

Norfolk native Brady Lollman (11.7 points) and Lincoln Southwest High grad Jake Marvin (14.5 points) are thus the top returning Broncos.

This will be UNK's first trip to Hastings since December 2003.