Opening Tip
•     The Washburn Ichabods will return to the court on Saturday night in Lee Arena when they will take on Northeastern State at 7 p.m.
•    The Ichabods (12-14, 7-8 MIAA) are looking for their third straight win at home after beating Central Oklahoma on Thursday night on Schendel Court in a 71-65 win.
•    Northeastern State enters the game with a 6-15 record going 4-10 in the MIAA after beating Emporia State 73-63 in Emporia.
•    The RiverHawks won the first meeting of the season on Jan. 24 in Tahlequah 80-73.
•    In the MIAA standings, Lindenwood, Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri are all tied at 11-4 and have clinched a postseason spot in the MIAA Tournament. 
•    Pittsburg State is in fourth at 10-4 while Nebraska-Kearney is fifth at 9-6 and have clinched tournament spots as well.
•    Fort Hays State and Missouri Southern are tied for sixth at 8-6 and is in eighth is Central Oklahoma with an 8-7 record. 
•    Washburn is in ninth at 7-8 and Missouri Western is in tenth at 6-8. Southwest Baptist and Northeastern State are tied for 11th at 4-10 and Emporia State is in 12th at 4-11. Lincoln (1-14) rounds out the league standings.
•    Washburn has been a combined 11 of 37 from the field with 12 turnovers in the first 10 minutes of the last three games. 
•    Kyle Wiggins became the 22nd person to go over the 1,000-point mark for his career against the Mules  and he now has 1,165 points in four years … his point total is 12th all-time at Washburn … next on the chart is Jemi Johnson who scored 1,215 points in three years from 1992-95.
•    Kyle Wiggins went over the 100 career 3-point mark against Fort Hays State … he ranks 12th overall in 3-pointers at Washburn with 106.
•    Alex North became the 23rd Ichabod to reach 1,000 for his career against Fort Hays State entering the game with Northeastern State with 1,028 points which is tied for 18th all-time at Washburn.
•    With Kyle Wiggins and Alex North going over the 1,000-point mark in a career it marked the first time Washburn had two different players go over the 1,000-point mark in the same season.
•    After a road game at Fort Hays State on Feb. 18, the Ichabods will wrap up the regular season with home games against Emporia State on Feb. 21 and Pittsburg State on Feb. 28. The MIAA Tournament starts its first round games on campus sites on March 2 and the tournament continues in Kansas City on March 5. 
•    The Ichabods have 30 regular season games scheduled this season and also had three exhibition games against NCAA Division I members Kansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma to have 33 games before the MIAA Tournament starts.
•    The Ichabods have used 14 different starting line ups this season.
    
 Bod Notes
•    Alex North has recorded 15 double doubles in his career at Washburn with his last one coming against Northeastern State on Jan. 24 … he scored his 1,000th career point against Fort Hays State and has played in 112 games with 79 starts … he went over the 650-rebound mark for his career against Emporia State … he has 1,028 career points averaging 9.2 ppg in his career and 5.9 rpg at Washburn … his 114 career 3-pointers at Washburn are ninth all-time … his 666 career rebounds are fifth all-time at Washburn … he has reached double figure scoring in 47 games as an Ichabod … he also ranks seventh in minutes played (2,786), 16th in free throws made (234), ninth in games started (79), 23rd in steals (78) and 29th in assists (183) as an Ichabod.
•    Kyle Wiggins has averaged 10.4 ppg in 112 games making 70 starts … he went over the 1,000-point mark against Central Missouri … he also has gone over the 200-rebound mark for his career and has 248 and he went over the 200-assist mark in Hawaii and has 244 for his career … his 1,165 career points is 12th all-time at Washburn … he became just the seventh Ichabod to record at least 1,000 points and have 200 assists in a career.
•    Ichabod junior Christian Ulsaker is averaging 6.2 points with 3.9 rebounds a game this season … he recorded his first career double double against Peru State with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
•    The Ichabods have hit at least one 3-pointer in 336 games … the last game the Ichabods did not hit a 3-pointer was Dec. 30, 2003 at Missouri Western … the Ichabods have not in a 3-pointer in only five games since the 3-point line came into existence prior to the 1986-87 season - a total of 874 of 879 games played.
•    Algie Key had a season-high 25 points in the loss at Nebraska-Kearney adding three assists and three steals in 33 minutes … he hit a season-high 11 of 14 free throw attempts against Emporia State  … he is averaging 9.5 points and 3.8 rebounds a game this season at Washburn after transferring from Alabama.
•    Turon Parker is scoring 5.7 ppg this season adding 40 assists and 18 steals in his first season as an Ichabod … he had a season-high eight rebounds against Tabor.
•    Kevin House leads the team with 54 assists this season while adding 4.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game … he is 47 of 55 from the free throw line this season for a team-high 86 percent and had a career-high 13 points and six assists against Central Oklahoma on Feb. 12.
•    Jeremy Lickteig scored a career-high 19 points against Northwest Indian College going 9 of 10 from the field … he made his first career start against BYU-Hawaii.
•    The Ichabods are 162 of 479 from 3-point range this season with Kyle Wiggins hitting a team-high 39 of 97 attempts for a 40 percent average … Alex North has hit 28 of 84 attempts and Andy Wilson has hit 23 of 64 attempts … Ichabod opponents are 204 of 540 from 3-point range this season.
•    Brady Skeens recorded a season-high 14 points in his second game of the season against Tabor after having his planned redshirt pulled prior to the Rockhurst game and recorded a season-high four blocks against Central Oklahoma.
•    David Salach has started 11 games this season has averaged 3.8 rebounds a game this season and he is averaging 4.2 rebounds per game in MIAA play … he had a career-high 13 points against Central Oklahoma hitting six field goals.
•    Washburn is 368 of 553 from the free throw line for a 67 percent average while its opponents are 389 of 542 hitting 72 percent of their charity stripe attempts … in MIAA play the Ichabods have improved to 221 of 317 from the line for a 70 percent average while opponents are 209 of 292 in MIAA play for a 72 percent average.
•    Washburn is +1.5 in rebounding margin and have been outrebounded in nine games this season.
•    The Ichabods have outscored their opponents 826 to 767 in the first half of games, but have been outscored 1017 to 1000 in the second half of games.

 Ichabods on Radio
Washburn games will be broadcast on AM580 WIBW radio with Jake Lebahn calling the action and color commentary from Pat Strathman. Game will also be streamed live on the wusports.com website by following the listen live links on the men's basketball schedule page.

 The Coaches
Washburn Ichabod head basketball coach Bob Chipman 
•     is in his 36th season at the helm of the Ichabods.
•     a 1973 graduate of Kansas State earning both his undergraduate and master's degree in Manhattan.
•     is 769-328 overall.
•     has 528 wins since the Ichabods joined the MIAA, the most of any conference school since the 1989-90 season.
•    is the MIAA's all-time winningest coach by victories with 528.
•     has led the Ichabods to 12 MIAA regular season titles and a MIAA-coaching tops of five postseason MIAA tournament championships.
•     has led the Ichabods to 12 NCAA National Tournament appearances.
•     in home games, he is 448-85 going 397-74 in Lee Arena.
•     is second in all-time coaching victories in active NCAA Division II coaches.
•     his 769 coaching wins is 22nd in all-time NCAA coaches at all levels.
•     led the Ichabods to the 1987 NAIA National Championship and a 2001 NCAA National game, which was later vacated by Kentucky Wesleyan. 
•     Chipman played for legendary coach Jack Hartman earning two letters.

Northeastern State head basketball coach Jason Tinsley
•      is 6-15 in his first year at Northeastern State and 28-111 in his fifth year as a four year men's coach.
•     is 1-0 against Washburn.
•    Comes to Tahlequah following a stint as the head women's basketball coach from 2010-14 at NCAA Division III Louisiana College in Pineville, La., where he led the program to an 89-25 record and three berths in the NCAA Division III Championship tournament.

 Last Time Out For The Ichabods
Washburn 71, Central Oklahoma 65 • Feb. 12, 2015
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn Ichabods had four players reach double figures as they swept the regular season series with Central Oklahoma after picking up a 71-65 win Thursday night in Lee Arena.
In a nip-and-tuck game which neither team led by more than seven at any point in the game, Washburn (12-14, 7-8 MIAA) used an 8-0 run midway through the first half to take a 22-18 lead with 6:27 to go capped by back-to-back 3-pointers by Kyle Wiggins helping the Ichabods take a 35-31 lead into the break.
The Bronchos (15-9, 8-7 MIAA) came back in the second half to take no more than a 1-point lead twice, with the final time coming at 6:08 to go in the game before back-to-back 3-pointers by Kevin House with a 3-pointer by UCO in between put Washburn up two at 57-55 with 5:45 to go. The Bronchos tied the score one more time at 57 on their next possession before a tip-in by David Salach and a lay-up by Andy Wilson put Washburn up four with 3:28 to go.
UCO cut the lead to two with 3:10 to go before a dunk by Salach and a lay-up by Wiggins up Washburn up six with just under two minutes to play and UCO would not get closer than four the rest of the way as the Ichabods hit six of seven free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
Wiggins led the Ichabods with 19 points and Salach had a career-high 13 points adding nine rebounds with seven offensive boards. Both Wilson and House scored 11. House also had career highs of three 3-pointers and six assists. 
Seth Heckart led the Bronchos with 16 points hitting four 3-pointers.
Washburn shot 39 percent from the field hitting 25 of 64 shots and hit 11 of 28 3-pointers. UCO finished at 45 percent going 24 of 53 overall and 9 of 26 from 3-point land. Washburn held a 41 to 34 advantage on the glass including 20 offensive rebounds leading to 19 second chance points.

 About Northeastern State
•    The RiverHawks are 6-15 and 4-10 in the MIAA after beating Emporia State last time out 73-63 on Feb. 12.
•    Demone Harrison leads the team with 11.8 ppg and Keon Littleton is averaging 11.0 ppg. Michael Harmon, who was averaging 19.2 ppg in nine games but will miss the rest of the season after an injury.

 Series History with Northeastern State
•      Saturday's meeting will be the seventh all-time between the two schools and the RiverHawks lead the all-time series 5-1.
•    The RiverHawks won the first meeting on Jan. 24 in Tahlequah 80-73.
•     The teams split the regular season games in 2013-14 and the RiverHawks won 79-75 in a first round MIAA Tournament game in Topeka on March 4, 2014.
•      The Ichabods and RiverHawks played in the second round of the NCAA Tournament with Washburn falling 64-59 on March 15, 2003 in Stephenville, Texas.
•      The RiverHawks went on to win the NCAA National Championship in 2003.
•     Washburn is 0-2 in games played in Tahlequah falling 85-78 on Jan. 19, 2013 and 69-58 on Feb. 15, 2014.

 Last meeting with NSU
(Jan. 24, 2015) TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- The Washburn Ichabods jumped out to a 13-2 lead but ran into a buzzsaw as the Northeastern State RiverHawks hit 9 first half 3-pointers as they topped Washburn 80-73.
The RiverHawks from the early lead by the Ichabods, NSU outscored Washburn 34-13 over the final 15:45 of the first half hitting 10 of 16 shots going 9 of 13 from 3-point range to take a 36-26 lead into the break at the half. Washburn was 10 of 26 overall and 4 of 9 from 3-point range and outrebounding the RiverHawks 16 to 12 holding NSU without an offensive rebound.
The Ichabods came back in the second half to take a 56-55 lead with 5:37 to play after a pair of free throws by Korey Fisher but back to back 3's by the RiverHawks pushed the lead out to six and then a field goal and a free throw by the RiverHawks put NSU up 64-56 with 2:57 to play. A 3-pointer by Alex North cut the lead to five with 2:46 remaining.
A free throw by David Salach cut the RiverHawk lead back to four at 64-60 with 1:59 to play in the game.
The RiverHawks connected on two free throws to go back up 66-60 with 1:36 to play. 
The Ichabods came up empty on their next time down the court and NSU hit 14 of its final 14 free throws of the game to hold on for the nine-point win.
North led the Ichabods with 21 points and 10 rebounds recording his 15th double double at Washburn in the process. Kyle Wiggins scored 16 before fouling out and David Salach scored 11.
Washburn finished the game 27 of 55 from the field shooting 49 percent overall while the RiverHawks were 23 of 46 overall only hitting three 3-pointers in the second half but finished 22 fo 28 from the free throw line compared to 10 of 17 for the Ichabods.

 Last time out for NSU
(Feb. 12, 2015) The Northeastern State men's basketball team earned its first road win of the season by defeating Emporia State 73-63 Thursday night inside White Auditorium.
The RiverHawks (6-15, 4-10 MIAA) picked up a crucial season sweep over the Hornets (11-13, 4-11 MIAA), while moving into 12th place in the current league standings. The top 12 teams in the conference at seasons' end qualify for the 2015 MIAA Championship.
NSU had six players score at least nine points and four reach double figures. Senior guard Keon Littleton came off the bench to pace the winning side with 17 points and seven rebounds. Junior guard Demone Harrison registered 14, while junior forward Dakota Caudill and junior guard Trey Mohair each added 12. Senior guard Amir Gilliam and freshman forward C.J. Winzer each chipped in nine points.
The RiverHawks torched the nets to a season-best mark of 60.9 percent (28-for-46). They also shot 63.6 percent (7-for-11) from behind the 3-point line and 47.6 percent (10-for-21) at the free-throw line. Emporia State was held to 41.5 percent (22-for-53) shooting overall, 30.8 percent (8-for-26) from distance and 78.6 percent (11-for-14) at the charity stripe.
Micah Swank led the home team with 15 points. Terrence Moore took 14 shots to reach 15 points, and Jay Temaat needed 12 shots to get to 13 points.
Winzer scored at the 16:43 mark of the first half to put Northeastern State on top 6-4, and the green and white never trailed again. NSU stretched its early advantage to 15-5 and went on to lead 32-19 at halftime. The 19 first-half points scored by the Hornets were the fewest the RiverHawks have conceded in any half this season.
Northeastern State led by as many as 16 points in the second half before cruising to the 10-point victory.
NSU outrebounded ESU 29-26 and also led in assists (15-10), steals (9-6), points in the paint (34-26), fast-break points (12-4) and bench points (26-17).
 
 Ichabod basketball history
•     The Ichabods are 1479-998-4 (.591) all-time in the 110th year in the program's history.
•     Washburn is the eighth-winningest program in NCAA Division II history by victories.
•     Washburn is the winningest MIAA program since the 1989-90 season with an overall record of 527-244 since joining the conference and the NCAA.
•    The Ichabods have recorded 25 20-win seasons and they have one 30-win seasons after going 35-4 during the 1986-87 NAIA Championship season.
•    Washburn has won 21 conference championships including 10 MIAA titles.
•    Washburn has received 12 NCAA Tournament bids going to three Elite Eight's appearing in the 2001 NCAA National Championship game.

 Home sweet home
•     The Ichabods are 397-74 (.848) all-time in Lee Arena.
•     The 2014-15 season marks the 30th season of play in Lee Arena.
•     The Ichabods recorded a school-best 28-game winning streak from Nov. 19, 1993 to Feb. 8, 1995 in Lee Arena.

 Up next
•    After a road game at Fort Hays State on Feb. 18, the Ichabods will wrap up the regular season with home games against Emporia State on Feb. 21 and Pittsburg State on Feb. 28.