Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball team will head out on the road to open up the 2016-17 season this weekend as the Lions participate in the MIAA/NSIC Challenge. Southern will take on host St. Cloud State on Friday at 7 pm and Minnesota State on Saturday at 3 pm.
Game Information
Teams: Missouri Southern (0-0, 0-0 MIAA) vs. St. Cloud State (0-3, 0-0 NSIC) vs. Minnesota State (0-0, 0-0 NSIC)
Date: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-12
Tip-Off: 7 pm Friday/3 pm Saturday
Location: St. Cloud, Minn.
Site: Halenback Hall (6,400)
Series Record: vs. SCSU, Lions lead 1-0, vs. MSU, Mavericks lead 1-0
Coaches: Jeff Boschee (38-23 overall/at MSSU). Matt Reimer (31-31 overall/at SCSU)
Matt Margenthaler (330-133 overall/at MSU)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: None
Internet Audio:www.mssulions.com
Live Video:www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter:@mososports; @mssumensbball
The Series
This is just the second time the Lions have played either of its opponents for this opening challenge. Southern faced off with the pair last season when the Lions hosted this round. The Lions won 95-79 over St. Cloud State, but fell 79-67 to Minnesota State.
Rankings
Minnesota State is ranked nationally in both the coaches and Sports Information Director's preseason polls. The Mavericks are ranked 17th by the coaches and 13th by the SID's.
New Lineup
The Lions will start a group of five that is entirely new to wearing the Green and Gold. LJ Ross has been a part of the program for a season and a half, but sat out the second semester of the 2014-15 season per transfer rules and missed all of 2015-16 from a knee injury. CJ Carr (SIU-Edwardsville), JJ Cratit (Central Connecticut) and Lawrence Brown (Mercer) are all Division I transfers, while Elyjah Clark is a freshman.
MIAA Preseason Poll
For the second year in a row, the MSSU basketball team has been picked fifth in the MIAA Preseason Basketball Poll. Defending league champ Northwest Missouri was picked first, followed by Washburn, Fort Hays State, Lincoln and Southern to round out the top five. Nebraska-Kearney was picked sixth, while Central Oklahoma, Pittsburg State, Central Missouri, Lindenwood, Emporia State, Missouri Western, Northeastern State and Southwest Baptist round out the poll.
