Setting the Scene:
The Griffons will look to back on track after falling in their last three contests including two before the Christmas break. Western has lost six of its last eight games after starting the season 4-0. Western comes into the contest with a 6-6 overall record and a 1-5 MIAA record. Their last victory came at home against then #1 Missouri Southern by a score of 75-67 on December 7, 2011. The Blue Tigers come into the contest with a 1-10 overall record and 1-5 in MIAA play. The Blue Tigers only victory of the season was on December 3, 2011 at Southwest Baptist by a score of 72-67. They have currently lost five straight and are 1-5 overall on the road and 1-2 on the road in MIAA play.
Griffons at home:
The Griffons come into the contest with a 5-2 record at home this season. Both of the Griffons losses have come in MIAA play. They lost at home on December 3 against Emporia State by a score of 59-57 and on January 4th against Northwest Missouri State. The Griffons are outscoring their opponents by 8.7 and shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from long range. They have outrebounded their opponents by 0.7 and have 18 more blocked shots and 13 more steals than their opponents at home. They also have turned the ball over 22 less times in the field house.
James Harris and
TJ Johnson average 16.3 and 15.4 points respectively at home while
Lavonte Douglas dumps in 10.6 points and snares 6.4 rebounds per contest.
The Series:
This marks the 29th meeting between the two schools with the Griffons holding a 25-3 advantage. The Griffons have won nine of the last 10 meetings. The Griffons lead the series in Jefferson City 9-1 and lead the series in St. Joseph, Mo. 15-1. The two teams have split on a neutral floor.
The Coaches vs. Each program:
Head Coach
Tom Smith is 25-3 all-time against the Blue Tigers at MWSU. Smith is 15-1 at home and 9-1 in Jason Gym. Redmond is 0-3 against the Griffons. Western has defeated the Blue Tigers twice at home under Redmond.
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.
Griffon Wins Against Top Ranked Teams:
Since 2001-2002 the Griffons have defeated 13 teams that were ranked in the top-25 which includes their biggest upset yet on Wednesday in the fieldhouse when they defeated #1 ranked Missouri Southern 75-67. Below is a list of the teams they have defeated and when they beat them.
12/7/10 vs. #1 Missouri Southern - W, 75-67
12/11/10 vs. #6 Fort Hays State - W, 78-77
02/01/10 vs. #3 Fort Hays State - W, 75-69
02/24/09 vs. #2 Central Missouri - W, 55-49
12/18/09 vs. #12 Drury - W, 91-84 in High Desert Classic in Las Vegas
11/21/09 vs. #17 Central Oklahoma - W, 83-79 in HIllyard Tipoff Classic
2/19/05 @ #6 Central Missouri - W, 70-68
12/29/04 vs. #6 Washburn - W, 73-70
1/29/03 @ #18 Washburn - W, 68-67
1/23/02 vs. #13 Missouri Southern - W, 80-73
1/2/02 @ #4 Washburn - W, 95-92
1/30/02 vs. #11 Washburn - W, 73-71
2/4/02 @ #3 Northwest Missouri State - W, 64-59
Previewing the Blue Tigers:
The Blue Tigers began the 2011-12 season with nine new players on its roster, but two returnees in particular have stood out thus far this year. Cedric Ridle, who did not play until Dec. 14, is averaging 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals while Jimmy Payton has averaged 11.3 points and 5.9 boards in 10 games this season. Among the top newcomers have been Clifton Fleming (10.0 ppg.), Trent Littlejohn (9.0 ppg.) and James Edmond (6.4 ppg., 4.7 rpg.). Terrell Williams is shooting a team-best .467 from three-point range while Jason Williams is fourth on the squad in rebounding (3.8 rpg.)
Head Coach John Redmond:
Redmond is in his third season as the head coach of the Blue Tigers and his fifth year overall with the program. Redmond was elevated to the position of head coach after spending two seasons as an assistant coach. Prior to coming to Lincoln, Redmond served as the head coach at Arkansas Baptist, ultimately leading the school to a No. 3 overall ranking in the final 2004 NAIA Division I standings and a No. 5 ranking in the final 2006 standings.
Switching Things up:
The season is just under halfway completed, but the Lincoln starting five is still in flux. The Blue Tigers have used six different starting lineups during the season, with only one (Jason Williams, Terrell Williams, Trent Littlejohn, Jimmy Payton and James Edmond) lasting as long as four games. Three lineup combinations have only been used once, including the fivesome of Jason Williams, Terrell Williams, Littlejohn, Matt Morris and Edmond, which resulted in the season's first win (72-67 at Southwest Baptist).
Coming up Next:
The Griffons will wrap up their home stand on Wednesday, January 11 against Truman State University. Game time is set for 7:30 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.
