Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team will once again face the Central Oklahoma Bronchos and Northeastern State RiverHawks this weekend.

The Lopers (17-7, 10-5), now in third place in the MIAA, swept the 'Chos (14-9, 9-6) and 'Hawks (3-20, 2-13) last week in the Health & Sports Center. UNK faces UCO Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and NSU Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

Since joining the MIAA, Kearney is 0-3 in Edmond and 3-1 in Tahlequah. Wins this weekend would be key not only for the MIAA race but also the Central Region rankings. The initial region rankings, which determine the 64-team NCAA Tournament, were released Wednesday afternoon.

Currently tied for fourth in the MIAA, the 'Chos are 9-4 in Edmond this year.
 
An extremely balanced attack has 10 different players averaging at least 16 minutes per game. As a team, UCO shoots 46% from the field and 74% at the line to average 74 points. They also rank second in the MIAA in blocks (3.9) to hold the opposition to 70 points a night.
 
Individually, six-six, 220 pound senior Corbin Byford is at 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the floor. Front court mate and former 'Husker Jake Hammond has blocked 34 shots and is at 11 points and six boards per game.
 
With Hammond in foul trouble in last Thursday's 80-74 loss at UNK, senior Corey

Alpough tallied a career-high 20. He averages 6.8 points on the year.
 
On the perimeter, sophomore Josh Holliday leads in scoring (12.5) and threes made (50). However, he was scoreless at Hays last Saturday, the fourth time in five games he was held to a single digit point total.
 
Heading into a Thursday game vs. Hays, NSU has lost 10 in a row and is 2-9 in Tahlequah this season. Their wins came against Missouri Western (Nov. 30) and Arkansas-Ft. Smith (Nov. 22).
 
While the 'Hawks shoot 74% at the line, they are making just 40% of its field goals to be at 63 points per game.
 
Junior guard Montre' Williams (13.1) is the lone 'Hawk averaging in double figures. He shoots 82% at the line and has made 45 of NSU's 131 three pointers (34 percent). He had seven assists and nine points last Saturday in an 81-73 loss to the Lopers.
 
UNK needed OT, 87-82, to win in Tahlequah last year.
 
The Lopers, sporting a 3-4 road record, are looking for its first road sweep in over five years. They've played 20 conference road swings since beating Colorado-Colorado Springs and Colorado State-Pueblo back in January 2012 and gone 1-1 13 times and 0-7 twice.
 
The closest call during that stretch came earlier this month when UNK won at Washburn, 88-73, and held a late lead in OT at Emporia State before falling 87-86.
 
To pick up its fourth road win and its' first-ever win in Edmond, UNK hopes to continue its strong offense of late. The Lopers are averaging 87.4 points over the last five games thanks to 53% field goal shooting and an average of 24 made free throws a night.
 
In Division II, Kearney is among the current leaders in both free throws made (485/20.2 avg.) and free throw percentage (78.5). Juniors Ty Danielson (135), Trey Lansman (120), and Yashua Trent (86) have combined to make 50% of UNK's freebies.
 
UNK finishes up the 2016-17 regular season next week with games at Hays (Tuesday) and Southwest Baptist (Saturday).