UNO Men Launch Inaugural MIAA Campaign This Week
Dec 3, 2008 | General, Men's Basketball
This Week: The University of Nebraska at Omaha men's basketball team begins play in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association this week as it visits the Washburn University Ichabods on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and the Fort Hays State University Tigers on Friday, Dec. 5. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.
The Records: The Mavericks are 4-0 on the season after two wins in Pueblo, Colo. a week and a half ago. The Mavs beat host Colorado State-Pueblo 83-66 on Saturday, Nov. 22. Washburn is 3-2 so far this season. The Ichabods are coming off an 83-76 loss to Central Oklahoma in the final of the Central Oklahoma Classic last Saturday. The Tigers are a perfect 5-0 following a 76-46 win over NAIA Ottawa University on Nov. 29. They will travel to Newman University in Wichita, Kan. on Tuesday before hosting the Mavericks.
The Coaches: Derrin Hansen is in his fourth season as UNO head coach. The 1991 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University is 56-39 as a head coach. He spent seven years at UNO as an assistant coach before taking over the head job in 2005. Bob Chipman is in his 30th season as the head coach at Washburn. He is 649-253 all-time at that institution. Chipman is a 1973 graduate of Kansas State. Mark Johnson is in his eighth year at Fort Hays. The 1993 graduate of Pittsburg State has posted a record of 143-66 all-time at FHSU.
The Series: The Mavericks are on the losing end of the all-time series with both opponents this week. UNO trails Washburn 27-17 since the two schools started playing. The Mavs trail Fort Hays 21-11 all-time. UNO has not played Washburn since 1986 and has not faced Fort Hays State since 1973.
Media: Wednesday's game at Washburn will be the first of the season broadcast live on 1620 The Zone beginning 15 minutes before the opening tip. David Gustafson will have the play-by-play. The game also is available on-line at omavs.com and for viewing at themiaa.tv. Friday's game at Fort Hays State will be available at themiaa.tv.
Coming Up: The Mavericks return to the friendly environs of the Sapp Fieldhouse next week for games against York (Neb.) College on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Northwest Missouri State on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:00 p.m.
