Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team finishes up the 2019-20 home slate with two top MIAA teams in Northeastern State and No. 37/23 Rogers State.

The Lopers (15-9, 9-6) have already secured a spot in the 10-team MIAA Tournament, set for March 4-8 in Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium. UNK is currently tied with Washburn (14-10) for fifth place in the MIAA with Northeastern State (16-9, 9-7) right behind and Rogers State (20-5, 12-4) in third. Visit the men's basketball schedule page for tip times and media links.

On Saturday UNK will recognize seniors AJ Jackson (Bellevue West), Kyle Juhl (Harlan, Ia.), Morgan Soucie (Osawatomie, Kan.), and Chase Winchester (De Soto, Texas). 

Back in January the Lopers had its' first-ever MIAA road sweep as they downed RSU, 62-58, and then NSU, 83-79. Rogers is 11-2 at home with the RiverHawks 10-4.

NSU is coming off a 69-67 home win over Emporia State. They are 4-5 in true road games including a recent 89-73 win at RSU. Senior guard Caleb Smith (16.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game) and 6-3 senior wing Kendrick Thompson (15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists per game) lead the way. Smith began his career at Texas A&M with Thompson at Division I-member Longwood (Va.). He had 22 with Smith at 12 points in an 83-79 (OT) loss to the Lopers back in January. UNK had five score in double figures and made 10 threes to grab a 13-2 all-time series lead.
 
The nationally and regionally ranked Hillcats have won two in a row after that home setback to NSU on February 8th. They have won nine of 10 heading into a Thursday tilt at Fort Hays. Four score in double figures with eight players in the main rotation. The best shooting free throw shooting team in the MIAA at 80.5 percent, RSU also has a plus 2.1 rebounding margin. Finally the 'Cats are 6-3 in true road games.
 
Six-eight, 260 pound senior Christian Miller, who began his career at Oral Roberts, is the MIAA's best shooter (63.8 pct.) to score 12.1 a night. He also pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game. Miller had 16 & five in a 62-58 loss to the Lopers back in January. UNK managed to win despite being out rebounded by eight and seeing RSU make 52% of its shots.
 
Besides Thompson, six-one senior guard Marques Sumner (13.7), 6-4 junior wing Brewster Peacock (11.9) and 6-0 senior guard Tavian Davis (10.2) all score in double digits. Each was held under his scoring average in the loss to the Lopers.
 
There's a good chance these games will once again be decided in the final five minutes. Nearly 70% of Loper games since 2017-18 have been decided by 10 points or less. UNK has a 29-28 record in such contests with eight wins coming this winter.
 
Currently leading the MIAA in assists per game (16.0) and threes allowed (6.5 per game), Kearney is 11-1 at home this year which includes two overtime wins. Individually Jackson (62.3) is now up to 14th in NCAA Division II in field goal percentage with Soucie in the MIAA top 12 in seven categories.
 
Next Juhl is 10th on the career made threes list (161) with Winchester shooting 82% at the line and having nearly a 2/1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Finally Utah junior Jake Walker has scored 25 points in two of the last three games, making 13 triples in the process.
 
UNK heads to Newman and Central Oklahoma next weekend to conclude the regular season.