Kearney, Neb. – The Kearney men's basketball team will get very familiar with Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State as the Lopers face the Bronchos and RiverHawks each of the next two weekends.

UNK (15-7, 8-5) currently is tied for fourth-place in the MIAA standings. At the end of the regular season, February 25th, the top four teams in the league receive a bye for the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

The UCO Bronchos (14-7, 9-4) come to town Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with the RiverHawks (3-18, 2-11) visiting Saturday around 4:00 p.m. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

On Thursday, UNK will recognize the Loper SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) for raising over $4,000 for Make-A-Wish while former equipment manager Dick Collins will be honored on Saturday.

Currently tied for second place in the MIAA, the 'Chos have won two in a row and are 5-3 on the road. An extremely balanced attack has 10 different players averaging at least 16 minutes per game with four starters in double figures.
 
As a team, UCO shoots 47% from the field and 74% at the line to average 75 points per game. They 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 11.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 59% from the floor. Front court mate Jake Hammond (6-9, 230 lbs.) has blocked 31 shots and is at 11 points and six boards per game.
 
On the perimeter, sophomore Josh Holliday (5-8, 170 lbs.) leads the way in both scoring (13.6) and threes made (50). Last year, UCO swept the series, winning 75-68 in Edmond and 71-61 in Kearney.
 
Heading into a road game at Fort Hays State, Northeastern State has lost eight in a row and is 1-7 away from Tahlequah.
 
The 'Hawks shoot 39% from the field and 74% at the line to average 62 points per game. Having a minus six rebounding margin, they average 14 turnovers per night. Junior guard Montre' Williams (13.4) is the lone 'Hawk averaging in double figures. He shoots 83% at the line and has made 42 of NSU's 121 three pointers (38 percent).
 
Last year, UNK edged NSU twice; 70-69 in Kearney and 82-80 (OT) in Tahlequah.
 
Prior to starting lineups on Saturday, UNK will honor lone senior Kevin Dineen (Creighton Prep H.S.). A four-year team member, the fan favorite and defensive stopper has appeared in 101 games in a Loper uniform.
 
Dineen and his teammates currently rank eighth in Division II in both free throw percentage (78.9) and free throws made (440/20.0 per game.). The Lopers have been so busy at the line they have made more freebies than the opposition has attempted (427).

UNK is also among the leaders in three pointers allowed, giving up just 6.5 per game. However, the opposition has shot 50% or better from behind the arc in four of the last six games. That includes efforts of 62% (8 of 13/Missouri Western State) and 59% (13 of 22/Lincoln).
 
Individually, Lincoln freshman reserve wing Sam Morris has tallied 37 points over the last three games. Now at 4.2 points per game for the year, he is leading the team in free throw percentage (89.5%) and is one of six Lopers to have made at least 10 threes.
 
Among UNK veterans, junior Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) now ranks 24th in school history with 1,258 points. About to pass Max Froehlich (1,284/'12) and Sam Somerhalder (1,292/'91) on that list, Lansman ranks in the MIAA top 12 in seven different categories.
 
The schedule alters little next week as UNK is at UCO on Thursday night and NSU on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.).