The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will head east Thursday night as the Lions will take on Lindenwood University in St. Charles. Tipoff from Hyland Arena is slated for 7:30 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (10-5, 4-2 MIAA) @ Lindenwood (9-6, 5-2 MIAA)
Date: Thursday, Jan 15, 2015
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Site: Hyland Arena (3,000)
Series Record: Lions lead series 2-1
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (10-5 overall/at MSSU). Brad Soderberg (119-55 at LU/330-198 overall)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: FM 99.7 KBTN - Mike McClure - Play-by-play
Internet Audio: www.mssulions.com
Webcast: www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/missourisouthernlions
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball
A look at the coaches: Jeff Boschee, MSSU - Jeff Boschee is in his first season as the head coach of the Missouri Southern basketball program after serving four seasons as an assistant and associate head coach. He was named the head coach of the Lions on July 1, 2014. Since Boschee arrived at Southern, the Lions have gone 96-39, made four consecutive MIAA tournaments and had trips to three of the last four NCAA Division II postseason tournaments, while claiming the 2010-11 MIAA regular season championship, and the 2013-14 post-season tournament championship. The 2010-11 team set the MIAA record for conference wins in a season with 19. Under Boschee's leadership, former Lion Skyler Bowlin was the MIAA's Player and Defender of the Year in 2011. He was a first-team All-MIAA, All-Region and All-American selection, being named to three different All-America teams. He was also the Region Player of the Year and a finalist for the National Player of the Year. Bowlin signed a professional contract to play basketball in the German Pro League after completing his eligibility and has since moved on to playing in Denmark.
Brad Soderberg is in his sixth season as the head coach of the Lindenwood men's basketball team in 2014-15. He is in his 19th year as a collegiate head coach, including six at the NCAA Division I level. In just his first five years, Soderberg has become Lindenwood's all-time winningest head coach with 119 wins. He also holds the school record in winning percentage with .710. Under Soderberg, the Lions have won at least 19 games in every season but one during his tenure which included the program's transition to the NCAA level. After winning 20 games in 2011-12, it was the first time in school history that the program has won 20 games three seasons in a row. Lindenwood is 119-56 through five seasons under Soderberg, and he enters the 2013-14 season with a career record of 330-198. During his Lindenwood tenure, Soderberg's teams have an overall home record of 66-16.
The Series - This is only the fourth meeting ever between the two schools. The Lions lead the series 2-1 after sweeping both games last year between the two teams.
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.
Record Breakers - Junior shooting guard Austin Wright 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 (.460).
Record Breakers II - Wright is climbing the charts in career three pointers made at MSSU. He moved into the top five last week and currently sits in fourth at 132 career treys. He needs 93 to break Skyler Bowlin's record of 224.
Record Breakers III - Wright broke the MSSU single-game three point record against Northeastern State when the junior hit nine as part of 28 points in the Lions' 90-54 win.
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 68-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.
Stingy Defense - The Lions have held their opponents to 71 points or under in seven of their last ten games. Against Benedictine, Southern held the Ravens to 48 points, nearly 20 points below the season average for the No. 4 ranked team in the NAIA. The total is the lowest opponent output since the Lions held Central Bible to 39 points in 2012.
Double-Double This - Taevaunn Prince has five double-double's this season. Against Emporia State, both Prince and Lane Barlow had a double-double each.
Big Game Tae - In the last six games, Taevaunn Prince is averaging 20.7 points and 110.8 rebounds, while shooting 51% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line.
Heatin Up - Over the last six games, the Lions have went 5-1. In that time, they're out scoring their opponents by a margin of 17.7, while shooting 46 percent from the field, 40 percent from long range and 77 percent from the free throw line. They are also out rebounding their opponents by a margin of 8.2.
Perfect When - The Lions are perfect this year when they do the following things: score 90+ (4-0), allow 69 or fewer (6-0), have more assists (6-0) and out shoot the opponent (8-0).
NCAA Stat Leaders - The Lions, as a team, rank 11th nationally in free throw attempts, while ranking sixth in free throws made. The team also ranks 46th in three point defense. Individually, Austin Wright ranks ninth nationally in three point percentage, while ranking 23rd in total three pointers and 44th in three pointers per game. Taevaun Prince ranks 17th in free throws made and 27th in free throw attempts.
MIAA Stat Leaders - The Lions, as a team, lead the MIAA in free throw attempts and free throws made. They rank second in defensive rebounds, free throw percentage and scoring offense. The team ranks fifth in blocks scoring margin and total rebounds. Individually, Taevaunn Prince leads the league in both free throw attempts and free throws made, while Austin Wright leads the league in three point percentage. Wright is second in total threes and threes/game while Greg Renfroe ranks second in total blocks and blocks/game.
Up Next - Southern will be back in action on Jan. 17 when Southern travels to Lincoln to take on the Blue Tigers. Tip off is slated for 3:30 pm.
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