Bulldog Men Open 2014 at Lewis, UW-Parkside

Truman Men's Basketball Game Notes (January 3-5, 2014)
Full Notes (PDF) | 2013-14 Schedule | 2013-14 Statistics

Game #10: Truman (8-1, 1-0 GLVC) at Lewis (7-0, 0-0 GLVC)

Date: Friday, January 3, 2014 (7:30 PM CDT)
Location: Romeoville, Ill. || Neil Carey Arena

Series Record: First meeting.
Last Meeting: First meeting.
Woodley vs. Lewis: 0-0
Series Streak: First meeting.

Game #11: Truman (8-1, 1-0 GLVC) at Wisconsin-Parkside (7-2, 0-0 GLVC)

Date: Sunday, January 5, 2014 (3:00 PM CDT)
Location: Kenosha, Wis. || DeSimone Gymnasuim

Series Record: Truman leads, 1-0.
Last Meeting: Truman won, 83-68, on Jan. 27, 1991 (Kirksville, Mo.)
Woodley vs. UWP: 0-0
Series Streak: Truman W-1

Live Stat Links: Lewis || UW-Parkside
Live Audio: 104.7 FM KRES (Moberly, Mo.); Brad Boyer (PBP), Hank Janssen (Color)
Live Video: Lewis || UW-Parkside
Social Media: @TrumanAthletics || @TSUBulldogHoops || #TSUGameDay || #GLVCmbb

Opening Tip:
Head coach Matt Woodley's Truman men's basketball team will look to carry over its early-season success into a new calendar year this Friday and Sunday when the Bulldogs visit Great Lakes Valley Conference foes Lewis and Wisconsin-Parkside in a pair of cross-division contests.

The Bulldogs, who capped the 2013 portion of the schedule with a split at the Quincy Holiday Classic on Dec. 21-22, will have their hands full with a pair of solid squads out of the GLVC East. Truman, sitting at 8-1 (1-0 GLVC) on the season, will battle an undefeated Lewis (7-0, 0-0 GLVC) program at 7:30 pm on Jan. 3 before traveling north to face UW-Parkside (7-2, 0-0 GLVC) at 3 p.m. on Jan. 5.

Truman will hit the hardwood for the first time in a dozen days after earning win No. 8 on Dec. 22 with a 93-81 decision against Central (Ohio) State in Quincy, Ill. The Bulldog offense got back on track against the Marauders after being held to a season-low 49 points in a 66-49 loss on Dec. 21 against Hillsdale (Mich.). Truman's second half outburst alone against CSU surpassed the day one effort at the QU Holiday Classic, as the Bulldog dropped 56 points in the final 20 minutes to mark the most in a single-half during the Woodley era.

This weekend will mark the conference-openers for both Lewis and UW-Parkside (who hosts Quincy on Friday night), while Truman will look to move to 3-0 in its first season of league play. The Bulldogs never started with back-to-back conference wins in the Jack Schrader era, as the program hasn't posted consecutive league wins to start a season since 1994-95, when that year's set of Bulldogs opened MIAA play 5-0.

Live stats, audio and video options will be made available for both games via links at TrumanBulldogs.com.

Projected Starters:
G – #2 – Seth Jackson – 6'3" – 200 – JR – 12.3 ppg | 4.1 rpg | 1.3 apg | 49% FG; 6 steals
G – #4 – Reed Mells – 5'11" – 165 – JR – 10.0 ppg | 3.4 rpg | 4.7 apg | 39% FG; 17 steals
F – #5 – Mike Carlson – 6'9" – 200 – SR – 20.8 ppg | 6.0 rpg | 1.2 apg | 63% FG, 11 blocks
C – #21 – Marek Bush – 6'6" – 245 – SR – 4.6 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 0.8 apg | 63% FG, 9 O-Rebs
G – #22 – Kyle Kanaskie – 5'11" – 170 – FR – 8.1 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 2.8 apg | 95%FT; 8 steals

Off the Bench:
G – #3 – Isaac Gardner – 6'4" – 205 – SR – 5.3 ppg | 0.8 rpg | 0.0 apg | 7 3-ptrs, 3 steals
G – #11 – Cole Myers – 6'3" – 190 – SO – 7.6 ppg | 2.7 rpg | 2.3 apg | 55% 3FG
G – #12 – Cory Myers – 6'3" – 190 – SO – 6.3 ppg | 1.8 rpg | 1.5 apg | 4 steals; 100% FT
G – #20 – Dominic Kacich – 6'3" – 170 – JR – 3.8 ppg | 1.7 rpg | 1.2 apg | 50% FG; 4 steals
C – #24 – Kiefer Starbird – 6'10" – 200 – rFR – 0.6 ppg | 1.0 rpg | 0.0 apg | 7.8 MPG; 2 steals
G – #30 – Andrew Vander Zwaag – 6'3" – 185 – rSO – 8.2 ppg | 1.9 rpg | 1.4 apg | 43% 3FG; 8 steals
F – #32 – Connor Erickson – 6'8" – 190 – rFR – 2.4 ppg | 2.6 rpg | 1.4 apg | 46% FG; 9 O-Rebs
C – #35 – Patrick Burmester – 6'9" – 235 – JR – 1.5 ppg | 3.0 rpg | 0.8 apg | 5 O-Rebs; 1 block
F – #40 – Billy Daniel – 6'6" – 200 – FR – 2.6 ppg | 0.8 rpg | 0.4 apg | 56% FG; 4 blocks

2013-14 Redshirts:
G – #10 – Hank Mathews – 6'2" – 185 – FR
F – #25 – Connor Lusso – 6'6" – 210 - FR

Staff:
Head Coach: Matt Woodley
Career Record: 26-38 || .406 || 3^rd season (all at Truman)
GLVC Record: 1-0 || 1.000 || 1^st season

Associate Head Coach: Chris Foster (1^st season)
Assistant Coach: Mike Annese (1^st season)
Athletic Trainer: Nicole Buck (1^st season)

K-9 Checkup:

The Bulldogs are averaging 84.1 points per game on the season, while allowing just 61.8 for a +22.3 scoring margin. Both the scoring defense and scoring margin numbers are the best in the GLVC.
Truman is shooting 49.5% from the floor as a team, including a 37.9% mark from three-point range. In addition, the Bulldogs have the No. 2 free throw shooting mark in the GLVC, connecting at a 77.2% clip from the charity stripe.
The Bulldogs have a +3.6 rebounding margin on the season (8^th in GLVC) but are just 15^th in the league in offensive rebounding at 9.3 per game.
Truman has taken care of the ball to a nationally-recognized tune this season, as the Bulldogs rank first of 291 Div. II teams in turnovers per game at just 8.4. The Bulldogs lead the GLVC in both that category as well as assist-to-turnover ratio (2.09-to-1).
The team's 7-0 start tied for the fifth--best start in school history, joining teams from 1999-2000, 1998-99, 1963-64, and 1953-54 to win seven in a row before suffering their first loss.

Top 'Dogs:

Through games of December 30, the Bulldogs are the nation's top-ranked team in NCAA Div. II turnovers per game (8.4), while also ranking in the nation's top-10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (third), scoring margin (fifth), scoring defense (seventh), and turnover margin (ninth).
On an individual level, Reed Mells ranks 16^th nationwide in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.82-to-1), while Mike Carlson ranked 27^th in field goal percentage (62.9%) and 39^th in points per game (20.8).
In addition to the aforementioned top spots in the GLVC rankings in four categories, the Bulldogs also rank second in FT percentage and third in field goal percent defense (41.9%).

Carlson Posts Big-Time Week to Close Calendar Year:
Senior Mike Carlson averaged 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in four games during a 3-1 week of action post-finals. He was a model of consistency on the offensive end, scoring 18, 19, 22, and 20 points during the four-game stretch while also shooting 54% from the field. That mark included six three-pointers and a 21-of-27 (78%) mark from the foul line.

He recorded his 4^th and 5^th 20-point performances of the season en route to earning all-tournament honors at the QU Holiday Classic. The Wisconsin-native grabbed 22 total rebounds on the week, including 16 (8.0/game) against the team's two Div. II opponents.

On the season, he not only leads the Bulldogs in points (20.8) and rebounds (6.0) per game, but the all-league player has been even more impressive in the team's five games against Div. II foes – averaging 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Carlson continues to inch closer towards the program's 1,000-point club, as he has scored 938 points in his two-plus seasons as a Bulldog after transferring in prior to his sophomore season.

Action Jackson Adding Signature Punch:
A season-high 23 points against Central State gave junior guard Seth Jackson his seventh career 20+ point game and marked a season-high for the former MIAA Freshman of the Year. After coming off the bench in the team's first four games this season, Jackson has stepped into a starting spot once again and has averaged 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on the year.

His shooting numbers are up across the board, as the career 44% shooter (21% 3FG, 72% FT) has raised his numbers to 49% FG, 31% 3FG, and 80% FT during his third season

Welcome to Kirksville:
The Bulldogs' new 1-2 punch of junior Reed Mells and freshman Kyle Kanaskie has paid early dividends, as the tandem has combined for nearly 20 points and eight assists per game. The duo has also taken care of the ball, helping the Bulldogs to the nation's No. 1 turnover rate.

In addition, Mells has swiped a team-high 17 errant passes, while Kanaskie has hit at a 94.4% clip from the charity stripe through nine games.

Myers Feeling From Distance:
The Bulldogs have one player leading the GLVC in an individual stat category, with that honor going to sophomore guard Cole Myers. The Iowa-native is hitting at a 55.0% mark from beyond the three-point line, connecting on 11-of-20 three-point tries on the season. He has seen increased playing time in recent games due to missed time by his brother, Cory, and senior guard Isaac Gardner, with Cole averaging 19.0 minutes per game on the year.

Scouting the Flyers & Rangers:
Lewis (7-0, 0-0 GLVC) will play one last game in 2013 before welcoming Truman on Friday night, as the Flyers will host Trinity Christian on New Year's Eve. Currently in the midst of the longest winning streak since the 2003-04 campaign, Lewis is one of four unblemished teams in the GLVC East division.

The Flyers have a +9.7 scoring margin on the year and boast the GLVC's top free throw percentage at 79.3%. While the squad struggles to rebound (last in offensive rebounds; 13^th in GLVC rebounding margin), the team makes up for it by not even letting shots get to the hoop with 4.3 blocks per game.

Ryan Jackson is the team's leading scorer at 19.4 points per game, while Julian Lewis is averaging 15.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Scott Trost is in his eighth season at the helm of the Lewis program, having compiled a 194-99 record during his time in Romeoville.

UWP, meanwhile, brings a 7-2 overall record into 2014, having closed the year on a sour note with a four-point road loss at Michigan Tech on Dec. 21. The Rangers will host Quincy on Jan. 3 before welcoming the Bulldogs on the afternoon of Jan. 5.

The Rangers and Bulldogs share one common opponent this season, as UWP downed Central State 95-83 on a neutral court in its season-opener. UWP holds a +16.0 scoring margin on the season and ranks in the GLVC top-three in assists per game, assist-to-turnover ratio, and defensive rebounding.

Zygimantas Riauka leads one of five Rangers in averaging double-figures, as he is the team leader in points (15.6), rebounds (8.3) and blocks (14 total). Jordan Mach is second on the squad at 15.2 ppg but has done his damage from long-range with 25 triples. Luke Reigel is in his 11^th season as the head coach of the UWP program and has guided the program to 129 total wins during his tenure.

Blazing 10:
The Bulldogs have gone 9-1 in their last ten regular season games, dating back to the close of last season. During that time, defense has been the key, as Truman has limited teams to just 61.2 points per game, with only one teams surpassing 80 points in a contest.

The Bulldogs have also gone 6-2 in their last eight regular season games away from Pershing Arena.

Inching Towards 1,100:
With two more victories, the Truman men's basketball team will become just the 60^th Div. II program to accumulate 1,100 program wins. There have been 254 all-time Div. II programs, meaning the Bulldogs sit in the top-quarter of all Div. II programs in total victories.

Making a Splash from Downtown:
The Bulldogs have made at least one three-pointer in every game since Feb. 12, 2003, a stretch of 288 consecutive games.

After getting out to a slow start from behind the arc this season, the Bulldogs have been – in the words of Dan Patrick, "en fuego" – from long-distance in the past six contests. Truman has connected on 59 of its last 133 (44.3%) of its three-point opportunities, hitting at least 10 in four of its last five outings.

Bulldogs Pegged Fifth in GLVC West:
Head coach Matt Woodley's squad was picked to finish fifth in the GLVC West Division preseason coaches' poll.

The Bulldogs finished six points ahead of William Jewell for the fifth spot in the West division, as selected by all 16 league coaches. Defending NCAA Div. II national champion Drury (Mo.) earned 10 first-place votes and 115 total points to lead the West, while Maryville (Mo.) notched the remaining six first-place votes in the West to land second with 107 points.

A tight battle put third and fourth separated by just one point, with Missouri-St. Louis (87) and Quincy (86) taking those spots. The Bulldogs and WJC were followed by Missouri S&T (37) and Rockhurst (34) to round out the West.

On the Eastern side of the league, Bellarmine logged nine first-place votes and 113 total points to earn preseason favorite status, followed by Southern Indiana (101; three first-place votes), Indianapolis (95; two first-place votes) and Lewis (83; two first-place votes) in the top half. UW-Parkside, Illinois Springfield, Saint Joseph's and McKendree slid in fifth through eighth respectively.

The Bulldogs will play an 18-game conference slate in 2013-14 during their first season as GLVC members, playing Maryville, Missouri-St. Louis and Quincy twice each, while facing the other 12 programs just once. The top four teams from each division, along with four wild card teams, will qualify for the 12-team conference tournament that follows the regular season.

Up Next:
The Bulldogs return to Pershing Arena to host the first GLVC home games in program history on Jan. 9 and 11, when Truman welcomes Illinois Springfield and McKendree. Tipoff against UIS on the 9^th is set for 7:30 p.m., while game-time against MCK on the 11^th is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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