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Tigers, Mules battle for MIAA supremacy
1/4/2010
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- This season has already produced memorable games, including an exhibition at University of Kansas's Allen Fieldhouse and a regular season contest in Kansas State University's Bramlage Coliseum. Tonight, the Fort Hays State University's men's basketball team will face another powerhouse program when it travels to University of Central Missouri, undefeated and ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II. Head coach Mark Johnson called the contest "a tremendous opportunity."
"You don't get to play the No. 1 team in the country every single year," Johnson said. "Our guys have got to play KU, K-State and now we get an opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the country. These guys have been real fortunate to be able to play in some big games and I felt like we have responded well in previous big games. We got another chance to do it again."
While the games at KU and K-State don't factor into conference standings or a berth in the NCAA tournament, Fort Hays versus Central will yield the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association's best team after six conference contests. The Tigers, ranked No. 13 in NCAA Division II, have a 11-1 record, with their only defeat an 83-76 road loss to Kansas State. Central Missouri is 12-0. Both teams are 5-0 in the MIAA, the only two squads undefeated in conference play. The women tipoff at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow at 7:30 p.m. at UCM's Multipurpose Building.
"This whole team, we knew we had to take of business (Saturday), but that's the talk in the locker room right now," senior forward Ryan Herrman said after Fort Hays defeated Truman State (Mo.) University on Saturday. "We want a shot at these guys, be the first ones to take them down. It will be a tough game and that's what we like."
This will mark just the second time in its NCAA Division II history FHSU will face the country's best team In 2003-04, Fort Hays lost to Metro State (Colo.) University 97-82. In addition, the Tigers will try to win at Central Missouri for the first time since FHSU moved to the MIAA four seasons ago. In its MIAA tenure, Fort Hays has never won at Emporia State University or at Central. The Tigers have compiled 0-3 records at each venue, including scores of 80-63, 64-54 and a 69-57 loss at the Multipurpose Building last winter. Overall, Central Missouri has won 27 straight home contests.
"They are just a hard-nosed, tough physical team," Johnson said. "We try to pride ourselves on being that type of a team. The last year or two, we really have not been able to match up with their toughness and defensive ability and we will see if we can (tonight)."
Just like last season's game at Central, FHSU is on a long winning streak and will play without one of its top players. Last season, the Mules ended Fort Hays' eight-game winning streak. This season, FHSU has won seven straight. In 2009, Fort Hays senior guard Tyrone Evans, a two-time all-MIAA player, was sick and had a season-low three points. For 2010, the Tigers will play its second full game without senior forward Tim Peintner, a returning all-conference performer who averages 10 points and 6 rebounds. Peintner suffered an ankle injury against Washburn University last Wednesday.
"It could be two weeks or it could be four," Johnson said. "We hope for the best. The main thing is what we are trying to do is it's Tim's senior year. We want still be in the race when he gets back. We don't want to let him down. It's going to be a challenge for us. At any level, at any team, if you are not at full strength, you are not as good as you can be. So, obviously, it is affecting us, but we can't make excuses. We still have to find a way to win games."
FHSU certainly has, as Johnson has asked for more production from multiple players, especially Herrman and senior guard Orrin Greer. Herrman, a former starter who has mainly been a reserve behind junior Ken Bowman this season, started against Truman. Greer played 27 minutes on Saturday and contributed 10 points and six rebounds, his first double figure game since Nov. 30.
"With Tim being out, Orrin has to have more minutes," Johnson said.
Overall, Fort Hays, a better offensive team than the last three years, has three players in double figures, including junior guard Dominique Jones (12.4 points per game), Bowman (12.1) and junior Corbin Kuntzsch (11.8 points, team-high 7.1 rebounds).
"You can't be a one-dimensional team, be an inside team or an outside team if you are going to be really good. I think what we have is the ability on nights to score inside and we have the ability to shoot the 3," Johnson said.
The balance has helped Fort Hays win all five conference games by double figures. Last season, they won five MIAA contests by 10 or more points all season. Johnson, though, doesn't believe FHSU is blowing out squads.
"We have won all four games by double figures, but none of them felt like a double figure win," he said. "They were close, tied with 10 or 11 minutes to go and we had to pull away. ... If you look at the Washburn game, it was between nine and 11 the whole second half. I think, Northwest, it was a four-point game with 11 minutes to go. Western was tied with 11 minutes to go. We had the potential to beat a good team and this is a really good league and you have to play hard and focused."
Central has produced a strong resume, including winning its conference contests by an average of 15 points.
Senior Sanjay Watts, a preseason All-American, averages 21.8 points, second-best in the conference, and leads the MIAA in rebounding (9.8) and stands second in field goal percentage (58 percent). Senior point guard Alex Moosmann collects 16.6 points a contest and paces the conference in assist to turnover ratio (5.8 to 1) and 3-point field goal percentage (54.2).
"This year, they have experience," Johnson said. "They play hard, they are tough and they guard you. That is the big challenge for us. I think that Moosmann might be the best point guard in the country. He is just so solid with the ball. He doesn't allow his team to take bad shots, doesn't allow his team to have a lot of turnovers. He is always making the decisions for them. Then, he can score."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |