RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech Men's Basketball team will continue non-conference play this weekend as the Wonder Boys travel to Warrensburg, Mo. to compete in the Fairfield Inn Classic, hosted by the University of Central Missouri. Tech will face-off against Illinois-Springfield on Friday at 3 p.m. and with finish their road trip with a contest against William Jewell on Saturday at 4 p.m.
SCOUTING THE WONDER BOYS
Arkansas Tech (1-1) is off to a 1-1 start after picking up a 74-71 non-conference win over Minnesota Crookston before falling 118-113 in a triple overtime thriller to Concordia-St. Paul to open the season. The Wonder Boys are off to a good start in the paint as they average 48 rebounds a game, compared to 41 rebounds a game for their opponents. Tech is averaging 93.5 points per game and have been led by four players in double figures – Alex Brown (25.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg); R.J. Glasper (21.5 ppg, 6.0 apg); Will Adler (10.5. ppg, 8.5 rpg), and Eric Turner (10.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg).
SCOUTING THE PRAIRIE STARS
Illinois-Springfield (1-1), who was picked to finish 12th in the GLVC Men's Basketball Coaches Poll, began its 2018-19 season with an 81-70 win over Malone University, but is coming off a 73-62 loss to Hillsdale College in its most recent contest. The Prairie Stars, under fifth-year head coach Bill Walker, are averaging 71.5 points per game, while holding opponents to 71.5 points per game. ISU also averages 22.5 3-point field goal attempts per game, shooting 40.0 percent from behinds the arc.
The duo of Peyton Allen and Gilwan Nelson pace the Prairie Stars as Allen averages 21.0 points per game, while Nelson averages 20.0 points per game. Nelson has started the season a perfect 9-for-9 from behind the 3-point line.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
William Jewell (1-3) began its 2018-19 on a three-game losing streak, but saw that streak snapped as they defeated Lindenwood 99-83 last Saturday. The Cardinals, coached by 40th-year head coach Larry Holley, were picked to finish seventh in the GLVC Men's Basketball Coaches Poll.
Keith Hayes is the Cardinals top scorer after averaging a team high 23.0 points per game. Byron Harp follows with 17.3 points per game, while Eysan Wiley leads the team with 8.3 rebounds per game.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Arkansas Tech leads William Jewell 3-0 in the series as the Wonder Boys have won all three neutral site contests. Tech won the last meeting 71-67 back on November, 22 of the 1996-97 season. The Wonder Boys and Illinois-Springfield will be playing each other for the first time.
COVERAGE
Live audio, video and statistics for both Tech contests are available at www.arkansastechsports.com. The games will be broadcast live on 102.3-FM (KCJC) in Russellville with Sam Strasner calling action.
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