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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Missouri Western men (4-2) open MIAA play with two home games. The Griffons will open up MIAA play on Wednesday, December 5 in the MIAA opener against Truman State (2-3). Tip off is set for 5:30 pm. MWSU will then take on the Fort Hays State Tigers (3-2) on Saturday, December 8. Tip time is set for 3:30 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Griffon Notes
• This marks the 43rd season of Griffons men's basketball
• Head Coach Tom Smith enters his 25th season overall at Missouri Western and 38th season overall as a coach at MWSU...Smith has won 612 career games with 442 coming at Missouri Western.
• Since joining the MIAA in 1989-1990 the Griffons are 16-7 in MIAA openers. The Griffons are 6-1 at home and 10-6 on the road. Against Truman State the Griffons are 4-0 winning twice at home and twice on the road.
• The last time the Griffons and Bulldogs met in an MIAA opener was in 1992-1993 when the Griffons won 65-61. Truman was still Northeast Missouri State at that time.
• Head Coach Tom Smith announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 season. Smith announced his retirement at a press conference earlier this morning.
• Record in Season Openers: Since basketball started in 1969-1970 the Missouri Western men's basketball team has been outstanding in season openers going 34-10. The Griffons have won 18 of the last 19 season openers which included a 69-55 victory last season against Fontbonne University on November 12 in the fieldhouse. The victory was Tom Smith's 600 career victory. MWSU won 75-44 against Sterling College to open the 2012-2013 season.
• Under Tom Smith the Griffons have compiled a remarkable 21-4 record in season openers. Coach Smith is 14-2 in home season openers, 3-2 on the road and 4-0 at a neutral site.
• MWSU has a 36-6 record in the Hillyard Classic and are 26-4 while playing in the MWSU Fieldhouse...MWSU lost this season against William Jewell 76-60 and beat Rockhurst 60-46.
• The Griffons were picked to finish 11th in the MIAA coaches preseason poll and 12th in the MIAA media preseason poll.

Coaches vs. Each Program - TSU:
This marks the 46th meeting for coach Smith and the Bulldogs. Coach Smith is 34-11 all-time against Truman State which includes being 4-0 in MIAA openers. Coach Woodley is 1-1 against the Griffons going 1-0 in St. Joseph and 0-1 in Kirksville.

Series vs. the Bulldogs:
The Bulldogs and Griffons dual for the 64th time on Saturday. Truman has won two of the last three matchups but the Griffons hold a 39-24 overall lead in the series. Since 1969-70 the Griffons are 19-9 overall at home and 20-7 in Kirksville. Truman leads 1-0 on a neutral floor.

Coaches vs. Each Program (FHSU):
Smith is 6-11 against the Tigers. Fort Hays head coach Mark Johnson is 9-5 all-time against the Griffons. Smith is 4-2 at home, 1-1 on a neutral floor and 1-8 in Hays. Johnson is 1-1 on a neutral floor, 3-3 in St. Joseph and 5-1 in Hays.

The Series vs. the Tigers:
The Griffons and the Tigers will meet for the 42nd time in school history. The Tigers led the series 29-12. The Tigers lead 13-8 in St. Joseph, 15-3 in Hays and the two teams are tied 1-1 on a neutral floot.

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 Dec. 7 in the fieldhouse when they defeated No. 1 Missouri Southern 75-67.
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

Up Next
The Griffons will head south to participate in the Lynn University Classic on Tuesday, December 18 and Wednesday, December 19. The Griffons will take on Barry University at 4:30 pm on Tuesday and Lynn at 6:30 pm on Wednesday. Games are being played in Boca Raton, Florida.