MSSU men's coach under isolation after wife tests positive for COVID-19- team to open regular season Thursday

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The 21st ranked Missouri Southern men's basketball team will open up the regular season tomorrow night when the Lions travel to Central Oklahoma to take on the Bronchos. Tip off from Hamilton Field House is set for 7:30 pm.

Game Information

Teams: #21 Missouri Southern (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) at Central Oklahoma (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
Date: November 19, 2020
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Edmond, Okla.
Site: Hamilton Field House
Series Record: Southern leads 11-4
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (124-61 overall/at MSSU - 6th year). Bob Hoffman (618-354 overall/11-18 at UCO)

Media Coverage

MSSU Radio: Mike McClure - Play by play - Fox Sports Joplin - 101.3, 107.9 FM, AM 1560 & 1340; KXMS 88.7 FM
Live Audio/Video/Stats - https://www.mssulions.com/coverage
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssumensbball

The Series

Southern holds an 11-4 advantage in the series between the two teams and the Lions have won nine in a row. The first time the two teams played was in 1973 with Central Oklahoma taking that game in Joplin. 

The two teams didn't play again until 1991, then played twice more until 2013 when UCO joined the MIAA. The Lions are 6-2 at home, 3-2 on the road and 2-0 in neutral site games.

Statement from Head Coach Jeff Boschee

As part of Covid-19 health and safety protocols, staff, players and I are tested weekly for the virus. Following our most recent test, I have tested negative, but my wife Jamie has tested positive. Due to direct contact policy I will be self-isolating for period of time. 

Jamie and the girls are doing just fine, with Jamie having minor symptoms. We will continue to monitor her symptoms daily! Due to this policy I will miss our first few games, but I have great trust in my staff to motivate and lead our team during this time. 

I have assigned coach Paul (McMahon) to take my place and I anxiously await my return with our team! Go Lions!

MIAA Team Stat Leaders

Last season, the Lions, as a team, led the MIAA in defensive rebounds per game, rebound margin, scoring, total rebounds and total rebounds per game.

MIAA Individual Stat Leaders

Last season, Cam Martin led the MIAA scoring, rebounds, defensive rebounds, double-double's free throw attempts and free throws made, total field goals made, total points and total rebounds, while ranking second in blocks, field goal percentage, total blocks and total field goal attempts.

Records Watch

Cam Martin sits in three different MSSU career categories for the Lions. Martin currently has the top career scoring average at 23.3, while ranking third in career field goal percentage (.594) and fifth in free throw shooting (.815). Jennings is second in career three point percentage (.420), while Clark is the career leader in three's (365) and is fourth in free throw shooting (.816). Clark is also the all-time leader in starts (123) and games played (124).

Cam You Score A lot

Cam Martin put himself amongst the Missouri Southern single-season scoring leaders when he became only the second Lion to ever score 700 or more points, joining Taevaunn Prince in that category last season. He finished with 720 which is the second most scored in a single-season at MSSU. Martin eclipsed his total from that season with 746 last year and is the only player in Southern history to do that twice in a career.

Cam You Score A lot II

Cam Martin set the MSSU single-game scoring record at Missouri Western in 2019-20 as he scored 54 points against the Griffons. The 54 points was the most scored in Division II that year and Cam was one of only four players to hit the 50-point plateau last year. Martin had two of the top-eight scoring games this season in Division II.

The Century Mark

Jeff Boschee won his 100th career game at Missouri Southern against Washburn in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. He became the quickest to 100 wins in MSSU history. The previous mark was Frank Davis who reached 100 wins in 161 games. Boschee did it in 152 games.

Bevo Francis Watchlist

For the second year in a row, Cam Martin was named to the Bevo Francis Award Watchlist. The award goes to the best player in small school basketball which encompasses Division II, Division III, and the NAIA.

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 234-straight games since Arkansas Tech in 2012-13.

20-Win Seasons

The win against Central Missouri last year gave the Lions 20 wins for the third-straight season and the fifth time in the last seven seasons. It is the fourth 20-win season in Jeff Boschee's six years as a head coach.

Perfection

For just the third time in program history, the Lions went perfect at home during the 2018-19 season (13-0). Only the 1969-70 (11-0) and the 1999-2000 (18-0) teams were also perfect at home. The Lions are 66-14 in Jeff Boschee's tenure at home.

Active Career Leaders

Cam Martin is third in career scoring average at 23.3, while ranking 6th in career double-double's and 11th in free throws made and attempted.

Three's Company

The Lions broke the MSSU single-game 3-point record with 22 3's against Washburn in the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19. The 22 3's was one three-pointer off of the NCAA Tournament record of 23 in a single-game.

D1 Transfers

Southern welcomes in two Division I transfers to this year's team in RJ Smith and Yagizhan Selcuk. Smith came to the Lions from Sam Houston State where he started all 31 games a season ago. Selcuk came to Southern from Montana where he saw limited action as a sophomore.

How Do You Say That?

Newcomer Yagizhan Selcuk will most likely have to pronounce his name for many PA announcers this year, but to help out, we call him Yagi for short. You can pronounce his name Yagi Sell-Chook.

National Ranking

The Lions are ranked No. 21 in the NABC preseason poll this week. In the history of the NABC Poll, the Lions have been ranked 79 times, including 23-consecutive weeks at one time. The team has been No. 1 once (in the 2011 season).

Reachin' A Grand

Cam Martin went over the 1,000 point plateau with his 26 points against Nebraska-Kearney on Jan. 6, 2020. Martin accomplished the feat in 45 games, the fastest Lion to hit that mark. He currently has 1,466 points in his career and is in 10th place on the all-time scoring list.

Up Next

The Lions will head to Newman University for a 3:30 pm matchup this Saturday against the Jets.