KCAC
[Men's Basketball] MBB Gameday Preview: Falcons Host Kansas Wesleyan in Regular Season Home …
The Lowdown: Kansas Wesleyan University at Friends UniversityLocation: Garvey CenterWhen: Wednesday, Feb. 17 @ 8 pmBroadcast and Live Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/friends/Flying with the Falcons: The Friends University Falcons were last in action on Feb. 8, where they fell 82-77 in overtime at York College to come in at 6-14 overall and 6-11 within the KCAC. Davonte Pack (SR/Sumter, SC) leads the Falcons and is third in the KCAC in both points (17.8 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg). Pack has also dished out a team-leading 3.1 assists per game this season. Ian Konek (SO/Long Beach, Calif.) is next in scoring at 15.8 ppg and is tops in the KCAC and third in the NAIA in threes per game (3.8). TJ Williams (SR/Arlington, Texas) is third on the team in scoring with 11.1 ppg along with a team-best 2.6 steals per game that is good for second in the conference and eighth in the NAIA. Marquan Shakur (SR/Largo, Md. ) has blocked a team-leading 0.6 shots per game on the season that is tied for eighth in the league.Scouting the Coyotes: The Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes are 8-13 overall, with an identical 6-11 mark in the KCAC. KWU bested York 85-58 last Saturday (Feb. 13) to snap an eight-game losing skid.AJ Range is tops on the team in both scoring (14.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg) this season. Tyus Jeffries is also averaging double-figure scoring (10.4 ppg), while Brayden White has recorded a team-high 3.5 assists per game for the Coyotes.The Series: The Falcons are 4-6 vs. the Coyotes in the past 10 matchups, but have won three of the last five meetings in Wichita.Quoting Head Coach Dale Faber: "Once again it's been a while since we last played. That is always a bit of a worry as you try to establish a rhythm in style of play both offensively and defensively. This game definitely has some seeding implications for post season so it's important we put forth our best effort in all phases of the game.Its Senior Night and that adds in some distractions but it also adds in motivation. Our guys are a pretty close group and I know all the squad wants to finish our home regular season on a positive note."Sponsor Alert: Friends University Athletics is excited to have Home2 Suites by Hilton as an official sponsor this season! For more on what they can offer, click HERE to visit their official webpage.Boarding School: Tonight's matchup will feature two of the best rebounders in the KCAC, with AJ Range ranking second in the league in rebounding (9.33 rpg) for KWU, followed closely by the Falcons' Davonte Pack with 9.3 rebounds per game.He's so Defensive: Senior guard TJ Williams has established himself as one of the better perimeter defenders in the KCAC, ranking second in the conference in steals per game (2.6 spg). He twice has recorded a career-high six thefts in a game this season.One Last Hurrah: Head coach Dale Faber has announced this season will be his last for the Friends University Falcons, as he's retiring from coaching and transitioning into a fundraising role within the athletic department. Faber has been quite the staple on the Falcon bench for the past 18 seasons, guiding the team to 297 victories and seven NAIA National Tournament appearances while twice being named the KCAC Coach of the Year.Falcons by the Numbers:When scoring:Under 50 points:50-59 points: 0-060-69 points: 0-670-79 points: 1-480-89 points: 4-490+ points: 1-0When allowing:Under 50 points:50-59 points: 0-060-69 points: 1-270-79 points: 4-380-89 points: 1-690+ points: 0-3When leading at halftime: 4-3When trailing at halftime: 2-10When tied at halftime: 0-1When winning the turnover battle: 1-6When losing the turnover battle: 5-8When turnovers are even: 0-0In OT: 0-1The Coaches:Dale Faber enters his 18th season leading the Friends University men's basketball program.Last season, the Falcons were above the .500 mark for the third straight season with a 17-13 overall record and a 15-9 KCAC mark.In the 2018-19 campaign, Faber guided the Falcons to their first NAIA National Tournament berth since the 2014-15 season.That edition of the Falcons finished third in the KCAC while crossing the 20-win plateau at 22-10 overall.Faber was also instrumental in overseeing the development of the 2017-18 KCAC Player of the Year and two-time NAIA All-America performer, Jordan Murdock.Overall, Faber is 297-248, with a 205-133 mark in KCAC play in his tenure at Friends. He has been named the KCAC Coach of the Year twice (2010, 2014), and has won four KCAC Tournament Championships and a pair of KCAC Regular Season Championships.In the 2017-18 season, Faber guided the Falcons to a top five finish in the KCAC after hovering in the top two of the league for much of the season.Faber's philosophy for building and maintaining a successful program is simple: find good student-athletes with strong values who are dedicated, hardworking, loyal and committed to representing Friends University in a positive light at all times. Known for his quick humor, Coach Faber strives to be supportive in all aspects of his player's lives. The philosophy of faith, family, academics and basketball has become a thought process that continues to fuel his teams."Entering our 18th year at Friends University, our goals remain consistent. We should never lose track of what a blessing it is to be able to grow our relationships within our team and the Friends University community. We will work hard to be a team that pursues success on the court but also strives to be well thought of because of our efforts academically and growing our participation in the NAIA Champions of Character Program.Faber and his wife of 33 years, Stacey, live in Wichita.Anthony Monson is in his fifth season at the helm of the Kansas Wesleyan University men's basketball program. Monson has led the Coyotes to 15 conference wins each of the past two seasons, their most since the 2006-07 season. In the 2017-18 campaign, Monson guided the Coyotes to their first winning season since 2008-09. Before coming to KWU, Monson served nine seasons as the lead assistant coach at Tabor College.Up Next: The Falcons will wrap up the regular season at Sterling College Saturday evening (Feb. 20). Tip-off is set for 7 pm in Sterling, Kan.