Preview- MSSU men to play Central Missouri in MIAA semi-finals

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

he Missouri Southern men's basketball team will look to snap a five-game MIAA Tournament losing streak to Central Missouri when the Lions take on the 18th ranked Mules today in the semifinals of the 2015 MIAA Basketball Tournament. Tip off from Municipal Auditorium is slated for 2:15 pm.    

Game Information

Teams: Missouri Southern (19-10) vs. #18 Central Missouri (24-5)

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2015
Tip-Off: 2:15 pm
Location: Kansas City, Mo.
Site: Municipal Auditorium
Series Record: Central leads, 36-22
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (19-10 overall/at MSSU). Doug Karleskint (24-5 at UCM/114-39 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 105-44, 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.

The University of Central Missouri announced that Doug Karleskint has been hired as the 24th head men's basketball coach in the 109-year history of the program. Karleskint compiled a 90-34 record in four seasons as the head coach at Arkansas Tech. His Wonder Boy teams captured four straight conference championships and made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2012. He coached 11 all-conference performers during his tenure at Arkansas Tech, including one Great American Conference (GAC) Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and an All-American. Prior to his time as head coach, Karleskint served as the top assistant for the Wonder Boys in 2009-10 when the team went 30-2, won the Gulf South Conference title and finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the nation.

The Series - Central leads the series 36-22 and the Mules have won six of the last nine games. The Lions are 14-12 vs. UCM at home and 8-19 on the road. Central has won all five of the neutral site battles between the two clubs. The Lions are 0-5 all-time against the Mules in MIAA Tournament games and have played Central Missouri once in the NCAA Tournament. 

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 169 career treys. He needs 56 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 82-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13. 

Double-Double This - Taevaunn Prince has nine double-double's this season. Against Emporia State, both Prince and Lane Barlow had a double-double each. 

Triple-Double This - Lane Barlow recorded his first career triple-double against Lindenwood on Feb. 25 when the senior had 13 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.  

Perfect When - The Lions are perfect this year when they do the following things: score 90+ (6-0), have more assists (11-0) and out shoot the opponent (16-0).

All-MIAA - Taevaunn Prince was a second-team All-MIAA pick, while Cameron Cornelius and Lane Barlow were honorable mention selections. Greg Renfroe was named to the MIAA's All-Defensive team.   

Familliar MIAA Tournament Opponent -This time last year, the Lions were prepping for the Lopers as the Lions made their run to the 2014 MIAA Tournament Championship.

MSSU In MIAA Tournament - The Lions are 19-18 all-time in the MIAA Tournament and have a 2-0 record against UNK. Against their side of the bracket, the Lions are 1-0 against UCO, but 0-5 against UCM.     

Around The Region - Augustana won the NSIC Tournament and an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional. The GAC Tournament is going on this weekend in Bartlesville, Okla. 

NCAA Stat Leaders - The Lions, as a team, rank sixth nationally in free throws made, while ranking 18th in three point defense. They rank 12th in free throw attempts and 51st in free throw percentage. Individually, Taevaunn Prince ranks 17th in free throws made and 29th in free throw attempts. Greg Renfroe ranks 24th in total blocks and 29th in blocks per game. Austin Wright ranks fifth in three point percentage.       

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 third in free throw percentage, offensive rebounds per game, and 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 Renfroe leads in total blocks and blocks per game. Prince leads in free throw attempts, while Barlow leads in triple doubles. WRight is second in total threes and three's/game, while Prince is third in both total points and total rebounds. 

Up Next - The winner of the MSSU/UCM game will advance to the finals of the MIAA Tournament to play either Northwest Mo. or Pittsburg State at 1 pm on Sunday.