Setting the Scene:
The Missouri Western (6-8, 1-7 MIAA) men's basketball team will look to pick up its first victory of the 2012 calendar year on Saturday afternoon when they take on the University of Central Missouri Mules (9-4, 5-3 MIAA) for a 3:00 pm tipoff in Warrensburg. The Griffons squad has dropped five straight MIAA games dating back to December 7 when they defeated the #1 ranked Missouri Southern Lions. Western is coming off an 87-86 overtime loss on Wednesday evening against the Truman State Bulldogs. The Mules are coming off a 63-60 win over No. 24 NW Missouri State on Wednesday night. It was the second straight win over a ranked opponent for UCM. The Mules go for their third straight win on Saturday against the Griffons. The game is being televised by the MIAA Television Network. Neil Harwell will provide the play-by-play with Jayice Pearson providing the color-commentary.
Scouting the Griffons:
Missouri Western enters Saturday afternoon ranked last in the MIAA at 1-7 (five games back of MIAA-leading Northwest Missouri) with an overall record of 6-8. The squad started 4-0 in nonconference play before dropping eight of its next ten. The Griffons are led by three players in double-figure scoring, including
TJ Johnson at 14.2 ppg,
James Harris at 12.8 ppg and
Lavonte Douglas at 11.4 ppg. Each of the trio excels in another area, with Johnson shooting 46% with nine blocks, Harris posting a team-high 3.3 assists/ game and Douglas ranking fifth in the MIAA in rebounding at 7.1 per contest. Missouri Western is 5-4 at home on the year, though just 1-4 in MIAA affairs. Western is 0-3 in MIAA road contests. Their signature win this season came on Dec. 7 in an eight-point win against then-No. 1 MSSU. Harris led all players with 26 points and seven assists in the game.
Tom Smith is in his 24th season at MWSU, having compiled a 435-253 record in St. Joseph. He is in his 37th season overall.
The Series:
This is the 54th meeting between Missouri Western and Central Missouri with the Griffons holding a 27-26 advantage. Central Missouri has won 15 of the last 20 meetings. The Griffons have lost their last eight of nine in Warrensburg since Kim Anderson took over. UCM leads 14-7 in Warrensburg. Western has won three of the last four meetings in St. Joseph. Western is 20-6 all-time in the fieldhouse but are 0-4 on a neutral floor.
The Coaches vs. Each program:
Head Coach
Tom Smith is 27-24 all-time against the Mules while Central Missouri head coach Kim Anderson is 13-8 all-time against the Griffons.
Before last season:
Before last season the last time the Griffon defeated the Mules in Warrensburg, Mo. came on January 5, 2002 by a score of 74-64. The Griffons outscored the Mules 43-34 in the second half to come away with the victory. Lamont Turner led the charge for the Griffons with 16 points while Ronnie Powell, Nick Orr and Larry Taylor dumped in 13, 11 and 11. The Mules were led by Mark DeBaun with 18 points while Vince Haynes pitched in 17. Last season Western won 95-91 in overtime behind double digit efforts from five different Grifons. The 2002-2003 season was also the last season the Griffons swept the series with the Mules before they did it last season.
Losses When Holding Opposing Team to Under 60 points:
The Griffons have only lost 13 games all-time when holding an opponent to under 60 points. Under head coach
Tom Smith they have only lost two games holding an opponent under 60 points. Western's first loss under Smith was against Northwest Missouri State on January 5, 2005 by a score of 58-54 in Maryville. The last loss was last Saturday when they fell 59-57 at home against Emporia. This marks just the seventh home game they have lost when giving up under 60 points. The first ever loss was in 1975-76 when they fell 53-52 at Missouri Southern.
On the Internet:
If you can't make it to the game you can watch live stats at
http://www.ucmo.edu/athletic/live/mensbb/xlive.htm. You can listen to the game at
http://www.gogriffons.com/webcast.asp and you can watch the game at
www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=289 for a minimal cost.
