For the first time, the East Central University men's basketball team will open the season at a regional crossover challenge, when they head to Bartlesville, Okla., Nov. 14-15 for the Great American Conference/Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Challenge.  The games will not count toward the 26 total games that teams are allowed during the regular season by the NCAA and will help the Tigers prepare for what they could see in an NCAA Regional Tournament.  ECU will first face Southwest Minnesota State, Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and then Wayne State College, Saturday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m.

Game Notes

The Broadcast
ECU's radio home for Tigers basketball in 2012-13 is Ada's KXFC, 105.5, FM 'The X-Factor'. Kenny Morrison returns to broadcast the games for his 18th season. Morrison, a 1987 ECU graduate, spent two seasons doing color prior to taking over the play-by-play duties during the 1997-98 season.  

The Coverage
Fans who can't be at the game can find links to live stats, live video (if available) and the KXFC radio broadcast on ECUTigers.com.  Go to the men's basketball schedule page. Fans can listen to the radio broadcast online or through the FREE KXFC App available in ITunes, Google Stores where apps are sold and www.kxfcradio.com.

Scouting Southwest Minnesota
The Mustangs were 19-12 overall and 14-8 in the NSIC in 2013-14, but are coming off an 88-91 double overtime exhibition loss to St. Olaf.

Last year SMSU had a +3.1 scoring and +3.6 rebounding margin, while shooting .489 from the field.  Shaun Condon is the top returner from a year ago, averaging 11.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game coming off the bench.

In the exhibition loss, the Mustangs had four players in double digits in the point's column, with Kirk Carter garnering a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.  Joey Bartlett led the team with 28 points and an 11-of-15 mark from the field, including five three's.

The Series
Friday's game will be the first meeting in the all-time series between both teams.

Scouting Wayne State College
The Wildcats were 9-19 overall and 5-17 in the NSIC last season under a first-year head coach.  WSC lost its four top producers on the glass and in the point's column.

The Wildcats had an -8.2 points and -3.9 rebounding margin for the season, but did earn a 12.0 to 11.5 edge in assists.  WSC still had a strong season shooting, hitting .425 of their shots from the field and .308 from beyond the arc.

The top returner for the Wildcats is David Anderson, with 5.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while adding 11 blocks and a .490 (51-of-104) field-goal percentage.

The Series
Friday's game will be the first meeting in the all-time series between both teams.

Turning Out for the Exhibition
The Tigers had a strong showing at their exhibition game at Oral Roberts, falling by just seven points (68-75).  ECU led for most of the game and took a 38-33 lead into the locker room at the half.  The Tigers were led by junior Stirling Thomas, with 25 points and five rebounds, while senior Henry Pwono tallied 16 points and 11 rebounds.  The duo were two of four players with double-digit point totals, with redshirt sophomore Braxton Reeves adding 15 and senior Brandon Lucas 10.

Returning Power
While most, including the ECU coaching staff, expected to lose senior Henry Pwono at the end of the 2013-14 season that is not the case.  Pwono had a redshirt available from his season at Seaton Hill and it was approved by the NCAA, so Pwono will be back on the court for the Tigers after averaging 11.9 points and 6.6 boards per game a year ago.  Pwono ended the season with three-straight games where he recorded over 20 points.

Making a Difference Off the Court
On the court is not the only place that you can find a member of ECU men's basketball team.  Since head coach Ja Havens has taken over the program the Tigers have renewed their commitment to community service.  ECU has been a part of several community service projects already this school year, with an emphasis on youth events.  The Tigers have been to several elementary and middle schools in the area to read with the students and to get to know their younger fans.

Up Next
The Tigers will remain on the road for the first two GAC games of the 2014-15 season, when they travel to face Arkansas-Monticello (Nov. 20) and Henderson State (Nov. 22).  The game in Monticello is set to start at 7:30 p.m., with the game at HSU at 3 p.m.

Up Next at the Kerr Activities Center
The first home game of the 2014-15 season will be Nov. 25 when the Tigers welcome non-conference foe Rogers State for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.  The game will be a double-header with the women's team, who faces Cameron that day at 5;30 p.m.