Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball teams tips off the 2014-15 regular season this Saturday at home when former RMAC rival Colorado School of Mines comes to town.
The game begins at 7:00 p.m. Check the Loper
schedule page for ticket and media links.
This contest is part of a special day for Kearney basketball as the 2002-03 squad will be honored as a "Team of Distinction" at halftime. That team went 30-3, setting a new school mark for wins, won the RMAC regular season title and advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament.
A public reception with team members begins at 6:00 p.m. on the South Concourse of the Health & Sports Center. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and reminisce with one of the top teams in Loper lore.
As for the game that'll take place on the court, Mines is coming off a 25-5 season in which it reached the NCAA Tournament. One of those victories was a 104-69 decision over the Lopers in Golden.
Longtime head coach Pryor Orser must replace his top three scorers but has a roster with eight players standing 6-5 or taller. UNK has five such players.
Senior guard Brian Muller (12.8) is the Orediggers leading returning scorer. He made a team-high 58 3's last year while shooting 89% at the line.
Six-five wings Gokul Natesan (9.3 points & 2.6 assists) and Trevor Ritchie (9.1 points & 4.3 assists) also return with the biggest player being true freshman Adam Laine (6-8, 240 lbs.).
Returning to the Lopers are 2013 All-MIAA selections
Connor Beranek (17.5 points & 5.2 rebounds) and
Ethan Brozek (16.3 points & 7.4 rebounds). Brozek (Norfolk) didn't play in last year's game vs. the 'Diggers.
Sophomore
Kane Martinez (Albuquerque, N.M.) and freshmen
Isaiah McKay (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and
Ty Danielson (York) should help out on the perimeter that features returning starters
Kevin Dineen (Creighton Prep) and
Davion Pearson (Las Vegas, Nev.). Dineen and Pearson combined for 16.4 points and 6.5 assists per game last winter.
In the post,
Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) is in line to replace 1,000-point scorer
Mike Dentlinger. He was considered one of Iowa's top prep players the past two seasons.
After Saturday, UNK doesn't play again until a November 21st road date at Chadron State.
