MACOMB, Ill. - The Fighting Leatherneck men's basketball team opens their 2016-17 regular season Friday evening (Nov. 11) on the road at Kansas State. Western Illinois is slated to tipoff against the Wildcats at 8 p.m. and the nonconference tilt is slated to air live on ESPN3.
SERIES HISTORY: Kansas State leads the all-time series 3-0... All three meetings were at Kansas State... The first meeting between the two teams happened in WIU's first season as an NCAA Division I program, a 67-57 loss to the Wildcats... The other two meetings came in 2007 and 2009... The first was a 77-64 loss in 2007 followed by a 82-50 loss in 2009.
- January 9, 1982 at Kansas State: L, 57-67
- November 17, 2007 at Kansas State: L, 64-77
- November 15, 2009 at Kansas State: L, 50-82
A LOOK AT KANSAS STATE: Kansas State, members of the Big 12, finished last season 17-16 overall and 5-13 in conference play... The Wildcats were 13-5 at home and 2-9 on the road... Kansas State lost its top scorer from a season ago in Justin Edwards (12.7) but returns Wesley Iwundu, who finished second on the team in scoring (11.9) and led KSU is assists (123)... Iwundu was also the only Wildcat to start every single game last season... Kansas State is coached by Bruce Weber, who is in his fifth year at Kansas State and 38th season overall as a college coach.
SEASON OPENING GAMES: The Leathernecks are 18-17 overall in season-opening games during WIU's division I era (beginning in 1981-82)... Last season's may have been the most notable season-opening victory for the men's basketball program, as they topped No. 17 Wisconsin on the road, 69-67... WIU's victory over No. 17 Wisconsin marked the Leathernecks' first-ever win over a ranked opponent in the program's history, and was The Summit League's fifth road win over a ranked opponent in the conference's history. The win also marked the first against a ranked Big Ten program on the road in the league's history... Returning players Garret Covington and Jabari Sandifer scored in double figures, totaling 16 and 12 points, respectively, in the win.
EXHIBITION ACTION: The Western Illinois men's basketball program played its lone exhibition of the 2016-17 season on Nov. 3 inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks trounced the Lincoln Christian Red Lions, 95-39. Garret Covington led all scorers with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, including two 3-pointers. He also grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists without turning the ball over. Besides Covington, three other Leathernecks scored in double figures. Junior Dalan Ancrum finished with 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks, freshman Jeremiah Usiosefe scored 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting from long range and sophomore Brandon Gilbeck finished with 10 points, six rebounds and four blocks. As a team, Western shot 58.1 percent from the field, 42.1 percent from three and 65.2 percent from the free throw line. WIU also bettered LCU in assists (23-7), rebounds (52-30), steals (12-3) and blocks (8-0).
LEATHERNECKS INK JOHNSON: Western Illinois men's basketball head coach Billy Wright announced the addition of Isaac Johnson to the Fighting Leatherneck family. Johnson, who is in the midst of his senior year at Minneapolis North High School, will officially join the WIU men's basketball program for the 2017-18 season. Johnson, a 6-foot-5 guard, finished his junior season averaging 14.9 points per game and helping lead the Minneapolis North to 24 wins. He also recorded 18 points in the state championship game, helping guide the Polar Bears to a state title. "Isaac is an athletic wing who brings the ability to score and defend multiple positions," said Wright. "He is a physical guard who has a winning spirit. He has won a high school state championship, played against some of the best prospects in the country on the EYBL circuit, and will come in ready. Isaac is an all-in guy and we are pleased to add him to our basketball family."
NATIONAL EXPOSURE: The Leathernecks have 14 games this season, eight at home and six on the road, that are scheduled to air live nationally... Of the eight road contests, five slated to air on ESPN3 and one on the Big Ten Network... The eight home games that will be available for a national audience will air on ESPN3.
COVINGTON TABBED PRESEASON FIRST TEAM: Western Illinois men's basketball guard Garret Covington was tabbed Preseason All-Summit League First Team as The Summit League announced its annual preseason poll of league coaches, sports information directors and media members. The senior has earned second team all-league honors in each of his first three seasons. Covington, who led the Leathernecks in nearly every category last season, scored 17.9 points, grabbed 4.1 rebounds and dished out 2.0 assists per game. He also went 77-of-182 from long range (.423) and made 88-of-111 free throw attempts. The Edwardsville, Ill. native's 17.9 points per game ranked fourth in The Summit League, and his 77 triples ranked second. Heading into his senior season, Covington has 1,339 career points, which ranks 13th all-time in program history. He also ranks second in 3-pointers (210), ninth in field goals (424), and 15th in free throws made (218). |
