PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team will return to John Lance Arena for a pair of MIAA match-ups against Washburn University and Emporia State University this week.

The Gorillas will meet the Ichabods Wednesday (Dec. 16) at 7:30 p.m. (CST) and the Hornets Saturday (Dec. 19) at 3:30 p.m.

The Records
Pitt State is 7-3 overall and 2-2 in MIAA play. The Gorillas slid out of a first-place tie and into a tie for seventh place in the conference standings after dropping a pair of road games last week.

Pitt State dropped a hard-fought 69-66 decision to Missouri Western State University on Dec. 10 at St. Joseph, Mo., before falling to Northwest Missouri State University, 73-48, last Sunday (Dec. 13) at Maryville, Mo.

Washburn is 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the MIAA.  The Ichabods posted a 59-57 victory over Southwest Baptist University at Topeka Saturday (Dec. 12).

Emporia State is 4-4 overall and 2-1 in MIAA play heading into a Wednesday (Dec. 16) road game against Missouri Southern State University.  The Hornets dropped a 73-72 home decision to the University of Central Missouri in their last action Saturday (Dec. 12).

The Coaches
Pittsburg State's Kevin Muff is in his sixth season leading the Gorillas. Muff (Kansas State, '86) became the Gorillas' 14th all-time head coach on Apr. 5, 2010, after spending 12 seasons at Cloud County Community College, where he helped the Thunderbirds to an average of 21 wins in each of the last five seasons.

He has an 83-70 (.542) record in his tenure with the Gorillas.

Muff was named the 2015 MIAA Co-Coach of the Year after leading the Gorillas to a 16-11 regular season record and a tie for third-place in the MIAA standings. Pitt State was picked to finish 10th in the 14-team league in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll after posting an 8-18 (4-15 MIAA) mark the previous season.

He then guided the Gorillas to a perfect 4-0 record in the MIAA Postseason Tournament, helping the Gorillas become the first No. 5 seed to claim the championship. Pitt State earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament and finished the 2014-15 campaign with a 20-12 overall record.

Wednesday's action will be Muff's 11th match-up against Washburn. He has a 2-8 record against the Ichabods. Muff is 6-4 against the Hornets.

Bob Chipman is in his 37th season as head coach at Washburn and his 37th year as a collegiate head coach. He has compiled a 779-332 (.701) career record leading the Ichabods. Chipman has the second-most career victories among active Division II coaches.

Shaun Vandiver is in his fifth season as head coach at Emporia State and his fifth year as a collegiate head coach. He has compiled a 56-65 (.463) career record.

Series History
Wednesday's action will be 179th all-time meeting between the Gorillas and the Ichabods in a series that dates back to the 1920 season.

Washburn holds a 99-79 (.556) advantage in the series, but the Gorillas hold a 55-27 (.671) advantage in games played in Pittsburg.

The two teams split a pair of meeting a year ago with Pitt State rolling to a lopsided 82-40 win in Pittsburg on Jan. 17, 2015 and Washburn responding with a 63-48 victory at Topeka in the regular season finale on Feb. 28, 2015.

Josiah Gustafson scored a game-high 23 points in the Gorillas' 82-40 victory over the Ichabods last year on Jan. 17.

Pitt State posted its largest margin of victory in the 177-game history over the series with WU. The Gorillas enjoyed a 41-point win over the Ichabods, 72-31, on Feb. 6, 1943, as well as a 40-point win, 102-62, on Feb. 23, 1963.

The Gorillas enjoyed 58.2 percent shooting from the field in the game (32 of 55). Pitt State outrebounded WU, 40-19; and, the Gorillas also made nine of 15 3-pointers in the contest.
At Topeka, the Ichabods limited the Gorillas to 37 percent shooting, including just three of 17 attempts from 3-point range, as WU claimed a 63-48 win on Feb. 28.

Saturday's action will be the 189th all-time meeting between the Gorillas and the Hornets. ESU leads the series, 95-93 (.505), but Pitt State has a 54-34 (.614) advantage in games played in Pittsburg.  The Gorillas have successfully defended thier home floor in each of the last five meetings with the Hornets.

Last year, Gustafson converted a driving reverse layup with 1:06 to play and Terrance Moore's mid-range jumper at the buzzer to allow PSU to claim a tightly-contested 59-58 win in Pittsburg on Jan. 14, 2015, before ESU turned the tables, 74-67, at Emporia on Feb. 25, 2015.

Gorillas at Home
Pitt State has compiled a 386-179 (.683) record in 565 career games played at John Lance Arena (1970-present). The Gorillas have posted a 206-69 (.749) record on their home floor during the past 21 seasons (1997-2016), including a school record 40 straight home wins between Jan. 10, 1997 and Feb. 22, 1999. Pitt State is 48-21 (.696) at home during the past six seasons under Coach Muff.

All told, the Gorillas have compiled an 830-340 (.709) all-time home record, winning 70.9 percent of their 1,170 home games.

Scouting the Gorillas
The Gorillas have three players averaging in double figures on the season: junior guard Josiah Gustafson (16.4 ppg), senior guard Trey Starks (12.2 ppg) and sophomore guard Dakota Jones (12.2 ppg).

Gustafson (6-6, 180) is averaging a team-leading 16.4 points per game thus far.  The Omaha, Neb., native has coverted 57 of 108 shots (.528) from the field, 22 of 43 3-point field goals (.512) and 28 of 31 free throws (.903) in 32.0 minutes of action per game. He also is averaging a team-leading 5.5 rebounds as well as 1.4 assists per game.

Gustafson ranks eighth in the MIAA in scoring and  field goal percentage. He ranks second in the MIAA in 3-point field goal percentage, seventh in the conference in 3-point field goals (2.2 pg) and ranks third in the league in free throw percentage.

Gustafson has made 28 consecutive free throws dating back to the St. Cloud State game on Nov. 14.

Gustafson scored a career-high 34 points in the Gorillas 100-97 victory over William Jewell on Nov. 19.  He was named the MIAA Player of the Week on Nov. 30, after averaging 21.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in a pair of victories at Denver, Colo., against Regis and Metro State.

Gustafson started all 32 games as a sophomore in 2014-15 in the Pitt State program, averaging 15.5 points per game. He ranked eighth in the MIAA in scoring and fifth in the league in free throw percentage (.838, 124-148).

For his career, Gustafson has scored 870 points in 68 games, averaging 12.8 points per game.

Starks (6-0, 190) is averaging 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on the year. The Springfield, Mo., native is shooting 41.0 percent from the field (34-of-83) and he's made 49 of 60 free throw attempts (.817) on the season.

He matched his career high with 24 points in the Gorillas' 80-62 road win over Regis on Nov. 27.

Starks averaged 12.3 points in Pitt State's final 12 games in 2014-15, after taking the court for the first time with the Gorillas on Feb. 7.

He scored a season-high 24 points in the finals of the MIAA Tournament against Missouri Southern (Mar. 8) to help the Gorillas claim the tournament title. Starks was named the MIAA Tournament Most Valuable Player, averaging 15.3 points per game in Pitt State's four victories.

Jones is averaging 12.2 points and 2.0 assists per game. The Warrensburg, Mo., native is shooting 49.4 percent from the field (38-of-77), including 52.8 percent from 3-point range (19-of-36). He's also converted 27 of 31 free throws (.871) on the season.

Jones tallied a career-high 23 points vs. Northeastern State on Dec. 2. He also scored 23 points and converted five of seven 3-point field goals against Missouri Western on Dec. 10. Jones ranks sixth in the MIAA in free throw percentage. He would lead the league in 3-point field goal percentage but does not meet the 2.0 per game minimum of makes to qualify for a ranking.

Additionally, four Pitt State players are averaging between 6.0 and 8.9 points on the year:  senior guard Javis Flynn (8.9 ppg), senior forward Lamine Dieng (8.6 ppg), sophomore guard Jaxon Holden (8.2 ppg) and freshman guard Chris Owens (6.8 ppg) and senior forward Denton Hays (4.5 ppg).

Flynn is averaging 8.9 points, an MIAA-leading 5.4 assists as well as 2.1 steals per game. The Watonga, Okla., native scored a career-high 19 points in the Gorillas' win vs. William Jewell (Nov. 19); and he dished out 10 helpers in the win vs. St. Cloud State (Nov. 14). He currently ranks second in the MIAA in steals.

Flynn led the MIAA in assists and steals last season. He also converted 17 of 45 3-point field goal attempts (.378) on the year.

His 76 steals and his 160 assists both ranked as the second highest single season totals in school history.  Flynn set the Pitt State single game assist record with 12 helpers vs. Emporia State on Jan. 14. He twice made a season-high seven steals, including vs. Minnesota State-Moorhead in the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

Dieng is averaging 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on the season, while shooting a team-high 57.6 percent from the field (38-of-66).

The Thies, Senegal native logged his first career double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds against Newman on Nov. 17. He also scored 18 points in the road win against Regis on Nov. 27.

Holden (6-1, 185) scored 19 points in his Pitt State debut on Nov. 13 vs. Minnesota State. The Flower Mound, Texas native is averaging 8.2 points on the season. He suffered a concussion five minutes into the Newman game on Nov. 17. He missed five games, before returning to the lineup in a reserve role vs. Missouri Western on Dec. 10.

Holden came to Pitt State after one season at Stephen F. Austin University where he played in 17 games for the Lumberjacks as a freshman in 2014-15 and helped SFA to a 29-5 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Owens (6-4, 180) is averaging 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 16.1minutes of action. The Springdale, Ark., native scored 10 points and pulled down a season-high nine rebounds against Metro State on Nov. 28. He scored a season-high 15 points against William Jewell (Nov. 19).

As a team, the Gorillas are averaging 78.2 points per game and shooting 50.2 percent from the field (260-of-518). Pitt State also is shooting 41.4 percent from 3-point range (63-of-152) and 72.9 percent from the free throw line (199-of-273). The Gorillas are +5.1 in the rebounding margin department.

Defensively, Pitt State is allowing 75.8 points per game while its opponents are shooting 47.0 percent from the field (254-of-540), 42.8 percent from 3-point range (83-of-194) and 73.2 percent from the free throw line (167-of-228).

Pitt State ranks second in the MIAA in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage; and the Gorillas rank fifth in the conference in scoring and rebounding margin.  Pitt State also ranks third in the league in 3-point field goal percentage and assists (14.8 apg).

Scouting the Ichabods
Washburn has two players averaging in double figures early in the season – junior guards Javion Blake (12.6 ppg) and Cameron Wiggins (12.5 ppg) – and four more players scoring 6.8 or more points – senior forward Brady Skeens (9.6 ppg), junior forward Randall Smith (9.5 ppg), sophomore guard Jeremy Lickteig (7.1 ppg) and sophomore forward  (6.8 ppg).

Skeens leads the teams in rebounds (8.4 rpg), field goal percentage (.717, 23-of-38) and blocked shots (2.6 bpg), while Smith paces the squad in assists (3.9 apg).

Wiggins has made a team-leading 19 3-point goals, while Blake has converted 10 triples.

As a team, WU averaging 76.5 points per game and shooting 46.0 percent from the field (214-of-465), 31.7 percent from 3-point range (40-of-126) and 67.0 percent from the free throw line (144-of-215).

Defensively, the Ichabods allowing 72.8 points per game while its opponents are shooting 41.2 percent from the field (190-of-461), 37.9 percent from 3-point range (75-of-198) and 74.3 percent from the free throw line (144-of-211).

The Ichabods rank third in the MIAA in field goal percentage defense and rebounding margin (+6.0 pg); and WU ranks fourth in the conference in scoring defense.

Scouting the Hornets
Emporia State has four players averaging in double figures on the season – sophomore guard Brandon Hall (14.5 ppg), senior guards Terrence Moore (13.8 ppg) and Charles McKinney (11.4 ppg) and junior forward Joshua Oswald (10.4 ppg) – and two more players scoring more than eight points a game – junior guard Jay Temaat (9.1 ppg) and junior forward Josh Pedersen (8.5 ppg).

Oswald leads the Hornets in rebounding (6.4 rpg), while Pederson paces the squad in field goal percentage (.611, 22-of-36). Moore has dished out a team-leading 3.0 assists per game and snared 1.9 steals per game.

As a team, ESU is averaging 76.4 points per game and shooting 47.5 percent from the field (219-of-461), 34.2 percent from 3-point range (51-of-149) and 67.8 percent from the free throw line (122-of-180).

Defensively, the Hornets are allowing 74.6 points per game while its opponents are shooting 48.9 percent from the field (202-of-413), 39.2 percent from 3-point range (51-of-130) and 70.3 percent from the free throw line (142-of-202).

ESU ranks second in the MIAA in turnover margin (+4.8 pg) and fourth in the conference in assists (13.6 apg) and blocked shots (3.1 bpg). The Hornets are last in the league in rebounding margin (-5.8 rpg).

Pitt State Probable Starters
    F    4    Josiah Gustafson, 6-6, 190, Jr., Omaha, Neb.
    F    20    Lamine Dieng, 6-8, 230, Sr., Thies, Senegal
    G    3    Javis Flynn, 5-10, 170, Sr., Watonga, Okla.
    G    21    Jaxon Holden, 6-1, 185, So., Flower Mound, Texas
    G    32    Dakota Jones, 5-11, 175, So., Warrensburg, Mo.

Washburn Probable Starters
    F    22    Brady Skeens, 6-7, 195, So., Lenexa, Kan.
    F    34    Jeremy Lickteig, 6-7, 220, Jr., Wichita, Kan.
    G    05    Javion Blake, 6-3, 185, Fr., Olathe, Kan.
    G    11    Cameron Wiggins, 6-3, 170, So., Leavenworth, Kan.
    G    13    Tyas Martin, 6-4, 175, Fr., Wichita, Kan.

Emporia State Probable Starters
    F    01    Joshua Oswald, 6-7, 225, Jr., Melbourne, Australia
    C    41    Bradley Fisher, 7-0, 245, So., Chorley, England
    G    11    Terrence Moore, 6-2, 170, Sr., Wichita, Kan.
    G    13    Micah Swank, 6-1, 170, Sr., Pratt, Kan.
    G    23    Charles McKinney, 6-4, 185, Sr., Evanston, Ill.