The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will open up the 14-15 season Saturday night with an exhibition slate at Missouri State. Tipoff from JQH Arena in Springfield is set for 7:35 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (0-0) at Missouri State (0-0)
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2014
Tip-Off: 7:35 pm
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Site: JQH Arena (11,000)
Series Record: Missouri State leads 2-0
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (0-0 overall/at MSSU). Paul Lusk (49-74, overall and 47-51 at MSU)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: 99.7 FM KBTN - Justin Maskus - Play by Play; Shaun Buck - Color
Internet Audio: www.mssulions.com
Webcast: none
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/missourisouthernlions
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
The Series - Missouri State leads the overall series 2-0 and the teams haven't played a regular-season game since the 1978-79 season when Missouri State won 73-59 in Springfield. The Bears won the initial meeting between the two teams in 1973, 83-67, that game also being played in Springfield.
New Head Coach - Southern will be under a new head coach for the first time in 25 years this season as first-year head coach Jeff Boschee will taking the reigns from Hall of Fame coach Robert Corn.
New Coaches - Boschee returns assistant coach Nick Bradford who was on the staff last season and brings in former Missouri State coach Sam McMahon, as well as former Baker University guard Todd Johnston to round out the coaching staff.
Defending Champs - The Lions won the 2014 MIAA Basketball Tournament in Kansas City last year, defeating Nebraska-Kearney in the opener. The Lions beat Northwest Missouri in game two and won against Central Oklahoma in the Tournament Championship.
Regional Appearance - The Lions made the program's fifth-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament last season when the team went to Mankato, Minn. and lost to eventual National Champion Central Missouri in the round of 32. The Lions have been to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons.
MIAA Preseason Poll - Southern was picked to finish fifth in the MIAA pre-season coaches poll. Defending national and league champion Central Missouri was picked to repeat and received ten first-place votes. Fort Hays State was picked second with two first-place votes, while Washburn and Northwest Missouri were picked third and fourth, each receiving a first-place vote. Southern was fifth, followed by Central Oklahoma, Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State, Lindenwood and Pittsburg State to round out the top ten. Missouri Western, Northeastern State, Southwest Baptist, and Lincoln round out the poll.
Record Breakers - Junior shooting guard Austin Wright (pictured) set two records for the Lions last year, breaking the single-season three point percentage mark (.493) and he also is the current career-leader in that category (.443).
Tough Schedule - Missouri Southern plays a tough non-conference schedule this season participating in two regional tournaments. The Lions will face-off with a pair of NSIC teams in the Sanford Pentagon Tipoff to start the season and the team will travel to San Antonio, Texas to take on St. Mary's and Midwestern State, both of whom are receiving votes in the preseason national poll. The Lions have five teams on their schedule this year that are receiving votes in the preseason poll.
Three Point Streak - The Lions failed to make a three-pointer at Arkansas Tech in their match-up in 2012-13. It was the first time in 403 games that Southern had failed to hit a three pointer, dating back to Jan. 20, 1999 against Missouri S&T. The Lions have had a three in 53-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Welcome Back - Cameron Cornelius, Lane Barlow and Greg Renfroe return to the starting lineup for the Lions, as Southern returns nine players overall from 2013-14. The Lions will also have the help of three players that practiced with the team last season, but redshirted.
Fresh Faces - The Lions have five new players on the roster this year and two more that redshirted last season for the team. Charlie Brown, Terrence Pierce and Andrew Ballock are true freshmen, while Taylor Luster, Bruce Marshall and Taevaunn Prince transfer in from either junior college or four-year institutions. Both Prince andBrandon Pines practiced with Missouri Southern last year, but redshirted.
This Looks Familiar - The Lions have a player and a coach that will be making a return trip to JQH Arena, but this time as a member of the visiting team. Bruce Marshall was a member of the Bears last season, while Sam McMahon was an assistant coach on Paul Lusk's bench last year.
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