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Rachael Keating

WIU MBB Opens Summit League Play

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

After defeating Eastern Illinois on Saturday (Dec. 18), the Leathernecks will face Denver on Monday (Dec. 20).

Who | Western Illinois (9-2, 0-0) at Denver (4-9, 0-0)
When | Monday (Dec. 20), 8 p.m. CT
Where | Hamilton Gymnasium – Denver, Colo.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Matchup history: WIU and Denver have played 18 times in program history, six of which ended as Leatherneck victories. Western has won four of the last six matchups and swept the season series last year. Will Carius averaged 24 points per game in those two matchups, shooting 61.5% from the field and 7-15 from deep, while Cameron Burrell grabbed 26 rebounds across the two games.
 
Scouting the opponent: The Pioneers are currently 4-9 and coming off a 64-56 home victory against UC San Diego. 13 games into head coach Jeff Wulbrun's first season at the helm of Denver men's basketball, the Pioneers are shooting 44.7% from the field and outscoring opponents (449-438 total) in the second period of play. KJ Hunt is one of the team's top weapons, as he's currently the team leader in multiple statistical categories: points (16.4), rebounds (4.5), assists (3.7) and steals (1.2).

Players to watch: In year two as a Leatherneck, Will Carius has built off the success of his first season and is currently the team's scoring leader at 18.1 points per game. A graduate student from Bettendorf, Iowa, Carius is shooting 46.5% from the field and 46.5% from deep. Carius has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games and averaged 24 points per game last season in two victories over the Pioneers.  
 
Guards Trenton Massner and Colton Sandage will be important on both sides of the ball for the Leathernecks. The Pioneers' KJ Hunt leads his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals, so Massner and Sandage's effort defensively will play a huge role in this game, on top of their usual offensive production. The current Leatherneck starting backcourt is averaging a combined 28.9 points per game.
 
What's next: The Leathernecks will stay on the road for their next matchup, facing the Mavericks of Omaha on Wednesday (Dec. 22) to conclude their first road trip of league play. Tip-off from Baxter Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. 
 
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