Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team hopes to continue its recent hot streak when it visits two nine win teams this weekend in Lincoln and Lindenwood.  

The game against the Blue Tigers (9-4, 5-2) on Thursday tips at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday's game against the Lions (9-4, 5-2) beginning at 3:30 p.m. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

Under second-year head coach John Moseley, Lincoln is the surprise of the MIAA. After going 4-24 (1-18) in 2014-15 and picked to finish last in the league this year, the Blue Tigers are currently in a four-way tie for second place.

Owning a win over NW Missouri State, Lincoln averages an MIAA-best 86.1 points per game. Shooting 75% at the line and 49% from the field, the Blue Tigers force about 16 turnovers a night.

Junior guards Anthony Virdure (23.1) and Jaylon Smith (20.5) combine to score nearly half the teams points. Both have sunk at least 40 three pointers with Virdure shooting 83% at the line and tied for Lincoln lead in assists at 4.0 per game.

The Blue Tigers have only two players standing 6-5 or taller but they still hold their own on the glass. Junior Tacourrus Mattox (6-8) is the tallest player and is tied for the team lead in board work (4.8).

Last year in Jefferson City, UNK posted a 90-85 win as current senior Connor Beranek (Ravenna) scored 32 thanks to a 15 of 15 effort from the line. Lincoln shot 65% in the second half but couldn't keep a 42-39 halftime lead.

UNK (7-5, 4-3) and Lindenwood scouted each other back in November in Weatherford, Okla. Both teams faced Great American Conference-members Southern Nazarene and Southwestern Oklahoma State. UNK went 1-1 and LWU 2-0.

Under first-year head coach Lance Randall, the Lions are coming off a 71-56 road win at Emporia State. They host Fort Hays State Thursday night.

A 16-player roster features eight transfers, six from the Division I ranks. That D1 group includes 6-5, 220 pound senior wing Cory Arentsen (22.5 points, 7.2 rebounds & 2.6 assists), who leads the team in points, rebounds and assists. Making 42% of his threes, he previously was at Austin Peay State (Tenn.).

Inside, 7-1 and 240 pound senior Stanislas Heili helps Lindenwood have nearly a plus six rebounding margin. He averages 9.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Off the bench is Logan Jaehnen, a 6-7, 270 lbs. junior.

UNK fell in St. Charles last year by an 83-64 score as the Lions sunk 13 of 19 three point shots.

The Lopers have almost been that hot as they are averaging just over 100 points in its last three games. During this stretch, UNK is shooting 56% from the field, 42% from behind the arc and 85% at the line.

Kearney now ranks second in the MIAA in scoring (83.5) behind Lincoln. The Lopers also lead the conference in free throw shooting (79%) and are second in blocks (3.8) behind Lindenwood.

Offensively, the Lopers top three scorers --- Beranek (53.2), sophomore Trey Lansman (58.9) and senior Ethan Brozek (57.1) – all shoot well over 50% from the field. Each player also shoots over 71% at the line and combine to average 19 rebounds every night.

UNK returns home next weekend to face Central Oklahoma (5-8, 1-6) and Northeastern State (2-9, 1-6).