Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team begins a seven-game home stand when Emporia State and 26th-ranked Washburn come to town this weekend.

The Lopers (6-3, 1-1) face the Hornets (3-5, 0-0) Thursday and the Ichabods (8-0, 0-0) two nights later. Both games tip at 7:30 p.m.; check the Kearney schedule page for media links.

Having a 2-2 mark in the Health & Sports Center this year, UNK won't leave the friendly confines of Buckle Court until Thursday, January 19th.

E-State veteran head coach Shaun Vandiver has a squad that is 2-0 at home, 1-3 on the road and 0-2 at neutral sites. Coming off a 73-66 home win over NAIA Central Christian (Kan.), Emporia is averaging a healthy 84.8 points per game. They are shooting 72% from the line and making eight threes per game.
 
Sophomore guard Brandon Hall (5-11, 180 lbs.) was one of the MIAA's top freshman a year ago and is averaging 15.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game. Last year in Kearney, Hall came off the bench and scored 19 points in a 79-68 Hornet win.
 
Next, 6-6 junior post Stephaun Limuel is at nine points and a team-best 6.3 rebounds per game with 6-4 senior wing Jay Temaat (11.8 points per game) currently 23 of 53 from behind the arc.
 
Longtime Washburn head coach Bob Chipman announced his retirement at the end of 2016-17. He currently has 796 career wins in his 38th year as 'Bods coach. To be unbeaten heading into Wednesday's game with Hays, Washburn is shooting 51% from the field and has four starters in double digits.
 
Scoring 86 points a night while giving up just 66, the 'Bods are led by 6-3 junior guard Cameron Wiggins (16.0 points per game) and 6-7 junior forward Brady Skeens (13.0 points, 11.6 rebounds & 3.8 blocks per game).
 
Skeens was the 2016 All-MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and is currently shooting an MIAA-best 67% from the field. Washburn also features the 2016 MIAA Freshman of the Year in 6-3 guard Javion Blake (12. 4 points, 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game).
 
Last year, UNK edged WU, 82-76. Skeens (13 pts., 10 rebs., five blocks, four assists) had a double double with Blake and Wiggins combining to score 43.
 
Kearney comes into the week once again leading the MIAA in free throw shooting. Leading Division II last year at 81.2%, UNK currently is at 77.9% with six different players at 80% or better.
 
Freshman Sam Morris has yet to miss (6 for 6) with junior Trey Lansman a solid 45 of 52 (81%). That sharp shooting by Lansman has helped him increase his scoring average from 11.8 to 15.2 to its current team-best 17.9.
 
Lansman now has 993 career points in just 70 games; he'll become the 42nd Loper with 1,000 and has a chance to be the fifth to reach the 2k mark.

Three others average in double figures, including newcomer Yashua Trent (16.0). Despite being a guard, the Illinois native is second in the MIAA in shooting (62.7%). He also leads the Lopers in assists (35) and steals (16).
 
UNK will practice during Finals Week (Dec. 12-16) in preparation for a Sunday afternoon game (Dec. 18th) against the Midland Warriors.