MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team will travel for a pair of road games at Arkansas Great American Conference schools at Harding University and Henderson State University. The Weevils will play the Bisons Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and the Reddies on Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
COVERAGE LINKS
UAM PREVIEW VIDEO WITH KYLE TOLIN AND JUSTIN SLOCUM
UAM GAME NOTES
UAM AT HARDING UNIVERSITY – 2/6 – 7:30 P.M. – LIVE STATS, LIVE VIDEO
UAM AT HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY – 2/8– 3 P.M. – LIVE STATS, LIVE VIDEO
 
THURSDAY'S GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Harding University
Date: February 6, 2020
Location: Searcy, Arkansas – Rhodes-Reaves Field House
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: November 21, 2019 in Monticello (W, 104-80)
 
SATURDAY'S GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Henderson State University
Date: February 8, 2020
Location: Arkadelphia, Arkansas – Wells Center
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: December 14, 2020 in Monticello (W, 86-82)
 
UAM PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 14-9
2019-20 GAC Record: 6-8
Head Coach: Kyle Tolin, Sixth Season (87-80)
 
SCOUTING THE WEEVILS
Last time out for the Weevils, they lost on the final possession at Southwestern Oklahoma State as the Bulldogs hit a jumper with five-seconds left to take a one-point lead, winning, 85-84. Prior to that, UAM had snapped a six-game losing streak with a 70-68 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State.
 
UAM has already faced both Harding and Henderson State once this year earning wins in the first half of the season. In fact, the Weevils win over Harding had them scoring their second-highest point total against a GAC opponent this year with 104.
 
The Weevils have been one of the best offensive teams in the conference and top rebounding teams in the country this season. They are currently third in NCAA Division II Total rebounds (935, 18th in offensive rebounds per game (13.5), 22nd in rebounds per game (40.7) and 27th in rebounding margin (+6.5).

As a team UAM shoots 47.6 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from downtown, while also shooting 74.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Weevils are also 31st in DII in total assists (343).
 
UAM has six players scoring at least 10.0 points per contest in KJ Lesure (18.3), Justin Slocum (14.4), Marcus Gilbert (13.6), Austin Hardy (11.3), Wanya King (10.2) and Denzel McDuffey (10.2).
 
Lesure is also one of the top distributors in the country totaling 144 assists which ranks eighth in DII while also having some of the quickest hands in the country ranking 28th in total steals with 44.
 
Also cracking a category nationally is Gilbert who leads Division II in total minutes played at 855.31 while ranking 10th in DII in minutes per game (37.4).

McDuffey and Slocum have been the team's main rebounders with McDuffey averaging 8.1 and Slocum snagging 6.9 boards per contest.
 
HARDING PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 7-13
2019-20 GAC Record: 2-12
Head Coach: Jeff Morgan, 28th Season Overall (445-344)
 
SCOUTING THE BISONS
The Bisons come into this one having lose three out of their last four including a double-overtime loss at East Central on Saturday, 103-94.
 
As a team, Harding is scoring 74.6 points per game while surrendering 81.6 points per game, which is a -6.9-margin. They are also getting outrebounded this season by -1.0 grabbing 37.3 boards while opponents snag 38.3
 
They do have a prolific scorer in Romio Harvey who is averaging 21.8 points per game. He also leads the team in assists (52) and steals (18).
 
On the glass, Joel Polius and emir Ahmedic are the top rebounders with Polius leading the way with 6.5 per game and Ahmedic snagging 6.1 per game.
 
HENDERSON STATE PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 14-6
2019-20 GAC Record: 9-5
Head Coach: Jimmy Elgas, Fifth Season at HSU (71-63)
 
SCOUTING THE REDDIES
Before losing their last two games, the Reddies were one of the hottest teams in the GAC. They still sport a 14-6 overall record and a 9-5 conference mark. Part of that is because of their impressive play at home sporting an undefeated 10-0 record.
 
They are one of the better scoring teams in the league averaging 83.6 points per game and holding opponents to 72.5 which is a +11.1-rebounding margin.
 
The trio of Chris Parker, Rel Johnson and Raekwon Rogers are each scoring at least 11.0 points per game with Parker pacing the attack at 15.3. Johnson averages 11.5 and Rogers adds 11.0.
 
Parker is also the team's best distributor dishing out the most assists with 63, while Rogers is averaging a team-best 7.6 rebounds per game.
 
UP NEXT
The Weevils will return home after their two-game road trip to begin a four-game homestand. Next Thursday, UAM will host rival Southern Arkansas from the Steelman Field House in Monticello at 7:30 p.m. following the women's game.