KWC's Lee expects test from Urbana - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

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Kentucky Wesleyan College puts a 10-game winning streak on the line today when it plays host to Midwest Region foe Urbana, and coach Todd Lee is putting the emphasis on game-by-game improvement.

"Our primary goal right now is to become a better basketball team every day," Lee said. "Be in practices or games, our objective is to improve, to get better as we prepare to head into the (Great Lakes Valley Conference) season."

The No. 18 Panthers (10-1) are coming off a close call against another Midwest Region foe, having held off Lake Erie 75-73 on Dec. 20 at the Sportscenter.

"You always hope there are lessons you can learn, even after a victory, and there were lessons to be learned after the Lake Erie game," Lee said. "We were up 15 at the half, but we didn't play a very good second half in that game.

"I'm still trying to get the team to understand the value of every possession at both ends of the court, whether it's the first half or the second half. They all count, they all matter."

It also matters to Lee that the Panthers are ready for a strong challenge from Ohio-based Urbana.

"They're very similar to Lake Erie, but Urbana is probably more athletic along the front line," Lee said. "They beat Indianapolis handily and they've twice beaten Gannon handily, so it needs to be well understood that they're going to challenge us.

"We've had several days to prepare for this team, and we've worked pretty hard on perimeter defense and transition defense. This team shoots a lot of 3-pointers, and they're pretty athletic from end to end."

The Blue Knights feature a balanced attack led by sophomore guard Clint Nicholson, who averages 13.6 points per game. Other starters are freshman forward Robert Wilson (12.8 ppg, 9.4 rebounds per game), junior guard Charlton Conner (12.4 ppg), senior guard T.R. Ellis (9.2 ppg) and 6-9 senior center Vitas Naudziunas (3.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

KWC continues to be paced by 5-8 senior guard Desmond Stephens (17.3 ppg, 6.1 assists per game). Also expected to start for the Panthers are junior guard Marico Stinson (11.7 ppg), senior guard Maros Zuffa (9.2 ppg), junior forward Chris Williams (9 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and junior center Jay Ivey (7.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg).

Lee said he is also keeping an eye out for complacency.

"I don't think our ranking will effect us in a negative way, but it's been a while since we lost a game," Lee said. "You can't afford to ever believe all you have to do is take the court and a victory is automatic. It doesn't work that way, and that's something we're trying to guard against.

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