Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team finishes up a busy first semester schedule by traveling to Emporia State and Washburn this weekend.

Check the Loper schedule page for tip times and media links. With finals at UNK next week, the Lopers (5-5, 2-0) won't play again until Tuesday, December 19th, against Hastings College.

UNK has yet to win in Emporia's White Auditorium as an MIAA member, dropping one game in overtime and the other two by a combined 10 points. The script is flipped against Washburn as the Lopers have beaten the 'Bods eight straight times, dating back to early in the 2013-14 season. That includes three wins last winter, thanks to 49% shooting (36 of 74) from down town. In the preseason MIAA poll, WU (third; 144 points) was still ahead of UNK (124 points).

Through 10 games this season, UNK is among Division II's busiest free throw shooting teams. The Lopers rank third nationally in made freebies (200/20.0 per game) and are shooting a solid 75 percent at the line. However, its opponents are at 78%, tops in the MIAA.

Four players – seniors Ty Danielson (York), Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.), Lane Rohrich (Pierce) and Yashua Trent (Chicago) – have all attempted 40 free throws. Overall, 25% of UNK's offense comes at the charity stripe.

Currently 1-4 in true road games, UNK will not hit the road again until Thursday, January 4th, at Southwest Baptist. That is another venue (Meyer Sports Center) the Lopers has yet to win in.

Emporia State (4-4)
2016-17 Record: 13-16 (9-10)
2017-18 Notable Results: Lost 67-62 at Missouri, Lost 70-66 to Southwest Minnesota State, Beat Rockhurst 82-65
Player to Watch: Senior guard Brandon Hall (17.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists & 1.2 steals per game)
Team Numbers:  75.0 points per game, + 5.0 scoring margin, even rebounding margin, + 2.0 turnover margin, 75% at the line

Washburn (5-3, 0-0)
2016-17 Record: 19-11 (11-8 MIAA)
2017-18 Notable Results: Lost 86-78 to No. 1 NW Missouri State (non-con game), Lost 69-57 to No. 16 Northern State, Beat Winona State, 84-75
Players to Watch: Preseason All-American post Brady Skeens (12.4 points, 10.3 rebounds & 2.3 blocks per game) and junior guard Javion Blake (16.1 points, 3.3. assists & 3.0 rebounds per game)
Team Numbers:  85.4 points per game, + 16.5 scoring margin, + 11.1 rebounding margin, +0.8 turnover margin, 51% from the field, 67% at the line