Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team looks for a bounce back weekend when it hosts Lindenwood Thursday night and Lincoln Saturday afternoon.
This will be the only time this season UNK squares off against the Lions (14-8, 4-6) and Blue Tigers (13-6, 6-4). Check the
Loper schedule page for media links and tip times.
Currently in a two-way tie for sixth place in the MIAA standings with Washburn, the Lopers (12-6, 5-4) are coming off road losses to No. 1 Northwest Missouri State and Missouri State. Earlier this season, UNK lost to Hastings College and Colorado School of Mines before reeling off four straight wins.
The LWU Lions dropped home games to Southwest Baptist and Central Missouri last weekend to end a three-game win streak.
Lindenwood has just four upperclassmen on a 12-player roster. A balanced attack has four in double figures, led by 6-7 sophomore forward Chandler Diekvoss (15.1) and 5-11 sophomore guard Jackson Prince (11.5).
Diekvoss shoots 53% from the field and also leads in rebounds (6.3) and is second in both steals (20) and assists (49). Coming off the bench, Prince has made 51 threes, the fourth most in the MIAA. He shoots 41% from the arc and is one of several LWU players to shoot 75% or better from the line.
Forcing 14 turnovers a night thanks to a trapping defense, the Lions shoot 75% at the line and average 9.1 threes per game. The two teams split last season, UNK winning 77-61 at home and LWU taking the first game in Missouri, 70-63.
Lincoln has won four of five heading into Thursday's game at Fort Hays State. The Blue Tigers are 4-2 away from Jeff City this year.
Once again, LU has the MIAA's highest scoring back court tandem in seniors Anthony Virdure and Jaylon Smith. The six-foot Virdure is at 20.0 points, 4.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game with the 6-4 Smith supplying 20.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 2.1 assists per game.
The dynamic duo have also combined to make 80 three pointers and shoot over 70% at the line. Lincoln scores 79.0 points per game and forces 16 turnovers a night. They make 71% of its free throws and are even on the glass.
Last year, UNK won all three games against LU; 87-73 (Jeff City), 81-67 (Kearney) and 82-78 in overtime (MIAA Tourney quarters in K.C.).
The Loper defense will certainly have an eye on the arc this weekend as Lindenwood (2nd/9.2) and Lincoln (5th/7.8) are among the MIAA leaders in made threes per game.
Prior to last weekend, UNK had been one of the MIAA's best in defending the three-pointer. Over the first 16 games, Loper opponents were shooting 38% and made more than eight in a game only once (12, Hastings College). Those numbers have dropped a bit as Northwest went 14 of 22 (53.8) and Mo West sunk 8 of 13 shots (61.5) from behind the arc.
Individually, junior forward
Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) ranks second in the league in blocks at 1.8 per game with junior guard
Yashua Trent (Chicago) sixth in steals at 1.7. Trent is expected to return to action after missing the last 1.5 games due to injury.
Offensively, UNK is back leading the MIAA in both free throw percentage (77.9) and free throws made (356/19.8). The pace of made freebies has slowed a bit of late; the Lopers have made 16 of fewer in three of the last five contests.
Finally, the Lopers are now 12-0 when they out rebound their opponent and 0-6 when they get out rebounded. Last weekend, the margin was minus 17 in both games.
Next week, UNK heads to Emporia State (10-8, 6-3) and Washburn (13-5, 5-4).
