Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball finally returns home this weekend as it entertains defending national champion Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State.

The Lopers (6-10, 2-5) haven't played in the Health & Sports Center since a December 19 win over Hastings College. UNK will have eight of its final 12 games at Buckle Court.

The second-ranked Bearcats (15-1, 7-1) visit Thursday night with the Griffons (3-12, 1-7) stopping by Saturday afternoon. Check the Loper schedule page for tip times and media links.

Amazingly, this is NW's first trip to Kearney for basketball in 1,469 days. Back on January 9, 2014, "Wrecking Ball" was on the Top 40, "Lone Survivor" was in theaters and the Seattle Seahawks were about to win its first Super Bowl. More currently, Northwest has won 50 of its last 52 games with the only losses in that stretch coming at Missouri Southern State.

The Loper-Bearcat contest will feature two of Division II's top two players in senior forward Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) and senior guard Justin Pitts (5-10, 150 lbs.). Pitts is the reigning D2 National Player of the Year with Lansman a 2018 preseason All-American.

Currently, the pair rank 1-2 in the MIAA in both scoring and minutes per game. Each leads his team in variety of categories with Lansman (22.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game) one of only two MIAA players to be at a double double on the season.  

In four wins against the Lopers, Pitts is at 24.8 points, 5.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals a night. Despite averaging 36 minutes in those four wins, Pitts has committed just three turnovers.

UNK will also aim for some revenge against Missouri Western State. The Griffons handed the Lopers an 80-63 loss last January in St. Joseph. Senior guard Yashua Trent (Chicago) didn't play in that contest; he currently is in the MIAA top 10 in assists and steals per game and free throws attempted.

Kearney heads back out on the road next week when it travels to Lindenwood (Thursday) and Lincoln (Saturday). Those are the only meetings with the Lions and Blue Tigers this year.


Northwest Missouri State U. Bearcats
2017-18 Record: 15-1 (7-1)

2017-18 Notable Results: Beat No. 3 Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.), 70-56; Beat No. 8 Northern State, 71-60

Players to Watch (Besides Pitts): 6-7 senior forwards Chris Ebou-Ndow (14.0 points &7.2 rebounds per game) and Brett Dougherty (10.1 points & 3.6 rebounds per game

Team Numbers: 79.0 points per game, + 20.0 scoring margin, + 2.7 rebounding margin, + 5.0 turnover margin, 76% at the line, MIAA-best 11.3 made threes per game
 
Missouri Western State U. Griffons
2017-18 Record: 3-12 (1-7)

2017-18 Notable Results: Lost to Central Missouri, 69-64; Lost to Northwest Missouri, 74-60

Players to Watch: 6-6 junior forward Lavon Hightower (14.1 points & 5.5 rebounds per game) and 6-0 senior guard Cole Clearman (8.3 points, 3.6 assists & 3.2 rebounds per game)

Team Numbers: 65.5 points per game, - 6.1 scoring margin, - 2.3 rebounding margin, - 0.8 turnover margin, 74% at the line