THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON MEN'S BASKETBALL
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m. vs.
Washburn (10-2, 3-0 MIAA)
Saturday, Jan. 12, 4:00 p.m. vs.
Emporia State (6-6, 1-2 MIAA)
ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western (8-7, 2-2 MIAA) returns to the MWSU Fieldhouse after going 2-0 in its Oklahoma road trip last week. The Griffons will now play the first of three-straight at home in a matchup against Washburn on Jan. 9.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- Playing on the road is a task that Washburn has not had to do often this season. The Ichabods have only played two true road games this season, going 1-1 in those games.
- Washburn and Emporia State are two of the highest-scoring offenses in the MIAA, as they both average over 85 points per game.
- Tyus Millhollin has been playing well since returning from injury. Millhollin has averaged 19 points per game over his last two games.
- The Griffons have struggled at home so far this season, going just 1-3 at home compared to 7-4 in games outside of the MWSU Fieldhouse.
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS
- Four different Griffons average at least 10 points per game.
- Lavon Hightower leads the team in scoring (19), rebounds (7.6), and minutes (34) per game.
- The Griffons are shooting 33 percent from three this season.
- The Griffons are coming off their first 2-0 road trip since the 2014-15 season.
WASHBURN
- The Ichabods are limiting opponents to just 42 percent shooting, best in the MIAA.
- Javion Blake is fourth in the MIAA with 19.7 points per game.
- The Ichabods have won nine of their last 10 games, with their only loss coming in overtime against Indianapolis.
- Point guard Tyler Geiman is second in the MIAA with 5.6 assists per game.
EMPORIA STATE
- Three players average 14 points per game for the Hornets.
- Coaching at Emporia State in his first season is Craig Doty. Doty comes to Emporia State after winning the 2018 NAIA National Championship at Graceland (Iowa) last season.
- Malik Hluchoweckyj leads the team with 4.8 assists per game.
- The Hornets are one of the top free-throw shooting teams in the conference at 78 percent.
