Kearney, Neb. – The New Year starts with a bang for the Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team as defending national champion Central Missouri visits the Health & Sports Center Saturday night.

The game with the 6th-ranked Mules (11-1, 2-1) tips at 7:30 p.m. On Monday, Missouri Western State (5-5, 1-2) comes to town at the same time. Check the Loper schedule page for media and ticket links.

After going 30-5 last season and beating West Liberty State (W.V.) in the national title game, UCM lost three starters to graduation and head coach Kim Anderson left for Missouri. However, current head man Doug Karleskint has the Mules off to an 11-1 start.

UCM rebounded from a 72-57 home loss to Central Oklahoma on December 18th with an 81-62 win over Northeastern State. They have played just one true road game this season, winning 80-71 at Fort Hays State.

A balanced offense has three in double digits, including two reserves. Arkansas State transfer Rakeem Dickerson  (6-0, 180 lbs.) leads at 14.3 points per game with 6-9, 240 lbs. senior post Dillon Deck (11.3) and 6-1 senior guard T.J. White (10.5) coming off the bench to combing for nearly 22 points per night.

Despite his size, White leads in board work (6.8) and is tied with Dickerson for the lead in steals (20). Dickerson also supplies 5.2 assists per game.

The Mules have a plus five rebounding margin and also have 22 fewer turnovers than their opponents but shoot just 63% at the line.

Last year, UNK fell 85-65 in Warrensburg. That was the first game after the Holiday Break and junior forward Ethan Brozek's first game in nearly 1 ½ years. White came off the bench that night to have 15 points and nine rebounds for the Mules.

The Griffons, led by second year head coach Brett Weiberg, are coming off a 62-57 home loss to UCO on December 20th. They are 0-3 on the road and are at Washburn Saturday night.

Ryan Devers (14.3) leads in scoring but is no longer listed on the roster. Six-two senior guard Cortez Colbert is thus the only Griffon in double figures, coming in at 12.7 per game.
Coming off efforts of 24 and 25 points, he has made 83% of his free throws and has a team-best 21 steals.

Like UCM, Western has plus rebounding and turnover margins. They have gone over 80 points just twice this winter, both victories. A year ago, the Griffons beat UNK in St. Joe, 89-82, as Devers went for 35 points and six assists.

Holding off Lincoln on the road, 90-85, back on December 20th, the Lopers returned to practice on Tuesday night.

Averaging 81.4 points per game thanks to 50.5% field goal and 77.2% free throw shooting, UNK (7-3, 3-1) has had three 90 plus point nights and three other games in the 80's.

Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) is at an even 20.0 points per game with junior wing Connor Beranek (Ravenna) close behind at 17.4 an appearance. The "Killer B's" also combine to average 15 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals per game.

Off the bench, post Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) has had back-to-back 13 point efforts and is averaging 10.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Next week, UNK has just one contest, a road date at NW Missouri State on Thursday, January 8th.