Preview- Missouri Southern men to play Lindenwood

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will continue it's late push at securing an automatic bid to Kasas City as the Lions play host to Lindenwood Wednesday night. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.   

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (16-10, 10-7 MIAA) vs. Lindenwood (17-10, 12-6 MIAA)

Date: Wedesday, Feb. 25, 2015
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Robert Corn Court/Leggett & Platt Athletic Center
Series Record: Series tied 2-2
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (16-10 overall/at MSSU). Brad Soderberg (127-60 at LU/338-202 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 102-44, 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 127 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 127-60 through five seasons under Soderberg, and he enters the 2013-14 season with a career record of 330-198. 

The Series - This is only the fifth meeting ever between the two schools. The series is tied at two wins each with Lindenwood winning the first between the two teams this season. 

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.     

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 (.459). 

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 162 career treys. He needs 63 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 79-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13. 

Stingy Defense -  The Lions have held their opponents to 71 points or under in 13 of their last 21 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 seven double-double's this season. Against Emporia State, both Prince and Lane Barlow had a double-double each. 

Perfect When - The Lions are perfect this year when they do the following things: score 90+ (4-0), have more assists (9-0) and out shoot the opponent (13-0).

NCAA Stat Leaders - The Lions, as a team, rank seventh nationally in free throws made, while ranking 15th in three point defense. They rank 12th in free throw attempts and 50th in free throw percentage. Individually, Taevaunn Prince ranks 24th in free throws made and 36th in free throw attempts. Greg Renfroe ranks 33rd in total blocks and 36th in blocks per game.         

MIAA Stat Leaders - As a team, the Lions lead the MIAA in free throw attempts and free throws made, while also leading in three point defense. The team ranks fourth in free throw percentage, while ranking third in offensive rebounds per game and fourth in scoring offense. Southern ranks fourth in defensive rebounds per game, and field goal defense, while ranking fifth in total rebounds. Individually, Wright leads the league in three point shooting, while Prince leads the MIAA in both free throw attempts and free throws made. Renfroe ranks second in both total blocks and blocks per game, while Wright ranks second in three's per game and total three's.  

Up Next - Southern will finish out the regular season by playing host to Lincoln University this Saturday. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 3 pm.