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The 85th and final season of MIAA men’s basketball kicks off for Truman on Wednesday night, as the Bulldogs open conference play with a 7:30 pm tilt at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.

Truman has been off for a week following a 71-61 win against Grand View (Iowa) on Nov. 28.
 
For the first time in seven seasons, the Bulldogs will be facing an opponent other than Missouri Southern to begin league action, starting with MWSU for the first time since the 1992-93 conference opener – a 65-61 loss in St. Joseph. Truman will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak in MIAA starters, dating back to a 70-53 win at MSSU on Dec. 9, 2006.
 
Wednesday marks the only scheduled contest between the squads this season.
 
Probable Starters:
G – #2 – Seth Jackson – 6’3” – 200 – SO – 12.0 ppg | 2.6 rpg | 2.0 apg
F – #5 – Mike Carlson – 6’9” – 200 – JR – 15.8 ppg | 5.6 rpg | 1.8 apg
G – #11 – Cole Myers – 6’3” – 190 – FR – 6.4 ppg | 3.4 rpg | 1.6 apg
G – #12 – Cory Myers – 6’3” – 190 – FR – 6.0 ppg | 3.2 rpg | 4.0 apg
F – #33 – Tyler Anderson – 6’5” – 210 – SO – 7.0 ppg | 3.6 rpg | 0.6 apg

Series Notes vs. Missouri Western:
Series Record: Missouri Western leads 38-24
Last Meeting: MWSU 74, TSU 70 (2/18/12 || Kirksville, Mo.
Series Streak: Missouri Western W-1
Record in St. Joseph: Missouri Western leads 19-11 (Truman W-2)
Last TSU win in St. Joseph: Jan. 11, 2012 (W 87-86; OT)
Woodley vs. Missouri Western: 1-1
 
Three to Take:
1) TSU scoring vs. MWSU defending - - The Bulldogs rank sixth in the MIAA in scoring through its first five games, but will face a Griffon squad that leads the league by allowing just 51.7 ppg.
2) For Starters… - - The Bulldogs have been deadly in the first half this season, shooting 51% from the field, including a 43% mark from three-point range.
3) Squeaky Clean - - The Bulldogs have cleaned up the defensive glass to the tune of a 77.2% defensive rebounding percentage so far in 2012-13, tops in the MIAA.

The Griffons are averaging at least one offensive board on 35.9% of their possessions, fifth-highest in the MIAA.

Courtesy Truman State University