Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team will have one of its toughest weeks of the 2020-21 season when nationally-ranked Missouri Western State and Northwest Missouri State come to town.

The Lopers (3-6) host the No. 16/22 Griffons (8-1) Thursday at 7:30 p.m. while the No. 1/3 and defending national champion Bearcats (6-1) visit Buckle Court Saturday at 4 p.m. These are the first games of the 2020-21 season where the general public can attend. Those not in the Health & Sports Center can catch the action via The MIAA Network or on KRVN radio (91.3 FM/106.9 FM). Live stats are available as well (NOT for the Missouri Western games). 

Mo West is coming off a 74-67 home win over No. 4/8 and previously unbeaten Washburn. Two days earlier the Ichabods upset the Bearcats in Maryville, 84-82 (OT). Northwest is now 137-7 since the start of the 2016-17 season.

Led by first-year head coach Will Martin with former Loper Ty Danielson sitting alongside, the Griffs are averaging a healthy 84.4 points per game. They make eight threes and 19 free throws a night as six average in double figures. That large group is led by 5-11 junior guard Tyrell Carroll (18.4), a Millard South grad. The front court is led by 6-7 sophomore Will Eames (14.6 points & 10.3 rebounds pg). UNK fell 81-75 to MWSU last year in St. Joe but the Lopers lead the all-time series, 19-16.

Northwest rebounded from the WU loss with a 92-71 decision over Emporia State. They are led by All-American candidates Trevor Hudgins (20.0 points, 5.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals pg), Ryan Hawkins (19.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals pg) and Diego Bernard (13.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals pg).

The 'Cats have a plus 14 scoring margin, have made as many free throws as its opponents have attempted and tally 82.3 points nightly. Last year UNK took the Green & White to the wire before falling, 65-60. That allowed NW to grab a 9-1 all-time series lead.

UNK hasn't allowed any foe to score more than 80 points and six have failed to reach 70. Thus, the Lopers are third in the MIAA in scoring defense (69.6), second in three-point percentage defense (29.7), and fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.00).

Alliance senior Austin Luger has been on fire of late, scoring in double figures in six straight games to boost his season average to 17.1. That ranks seven highest in the league. He is shooting 50% from the arc (17 of 34), 48% from the field and 83% at the line while pulling down a team-best 7.4 rebounds.

Finally, the Lopers are becoming rather accustomed to tight games. Dating back to the end of last year 15 of the UNK's last 16 games have been decided by 12 points or less. The Blue & Gold is 4-11 in such contests; they began the 2019-20 year with a 7-6 mark in 12-point games.

Kearney heads to Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern State next weekend.