LEBANON, Ill. – Heading north for the weekend, the Bearcats are preparing to battle the Truman State University Bulldogs on February 1st and the Upper Iowa University Peacocks on February 3rd.
GLVC Point-Rating System
After the conclusion of the games last weekend, the GLVC released it first-edition of their Point-Rating System (PRS). Entering year seven of the system, it is used to qualify and seed the top-eight teams for the 2024 GLVC Men's Basketball Championship.
Series History
McKendree and Truman State have squared off on the hardwood 11 times in the series history. The Bearcats have won three out of the previous four matchups, including the 90-88 overtime win last season.
The Bearcats and Peacocks have a very brief history with the first-ever meeting coming back on January 3rd in Lebanon.
Scouting the Bearcats
Entering the weekend with an overall record of 10-8 (4-7 GLVC), McKendree is looking to get back to its winning ways. Last weekend, junior forward Milos Vicentic became the 53rd member of the Bearcat 1,000 point club late in the first half against Maryville. Also, Carson Parker posted double-doubles in both games, averaging 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds.
McKendree as its done all season is near the top of the nation in field goal percentage at 51.8%. They only trail Carson-Newman who holds the top spot at 52.6%. The Bearcats are also efficient on the defensive end of the floor with blocking 4.7 shots per game to put them 15th in the country and tops in the GLVC.
Three Bearcats are averaging double figures on the season with Vicentic leading the way at 22.1 points per game. That mark is second in the conference, behind Upper Iowa's Jake Hilmer and 18th in Division II. Caleb Zurliene averages 14.6 per game while shooting 57% from the field for third in the GLVC. He leads the conference in blocks with 53 on the season. The third Bearcat in double figures is Carson Parker at 11.5 per game.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Truman State Bulldogs currently own a 7-11 (4-6 GLVC) record and have lost their last two games. Last weekend those two losses were at Rockhurst University (92-73) and William Jewell (74-72).
As a team, the Bullldogs share the ball, leading the GLVC in assists per game at 16.4.
Freshman guard Kobi Williams leads TSU offensively averaging 12.3 points per game as he has started all 18 games thus far. Also in double figures for the Bulldogs is Trey Shearer at 11.6 per game.
Scouting the Peacocks
Before squaring off on Saturday, the Peacocks will host the UMSL Tritons on Thursday, Entering the weekend with an overall record of 13-5 (8-2 GLVC), UIU has won their last five contests including at William Jewell (85-73) and Rockhurst (87-61).
UIU has the top scoring offense in the conference averaging 89.1 points per game, while shooting 48.9% from the field. They are also shooting 36.5% from beyond the arc.
The Peacocks have the top scorer in the conference with Jake Hilmer averaging 24.5 points per game. Third in the conference is Noah King at 17.5.
