KWC's Lee: Tiffin much better than 1-7 record indicates - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

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Todd Lee isn't sure what to expect from his 17th-ranked Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team tonight.

"We had five days off for Christmas, so there is a little bit of concern there," he said. "After being gone for five days, it seemed (in practice) like we lost a step, or that we're not in great shape."

KWC has a chance to shake off the rust when Tiffin visits for a 7 p.m. tipoff at the Sportscenter, the Panthers' last nonconference tuneup before the Great Lakes Valley Conference slate fully kicks in Saturday against Saint Joseph's.

Lee just hopes his players don't get caught underestimating the Dragons, who enter with a 1-7 record that he doesn't believe is indicative of their ability.

"You look at their record and you wonder what kind of team they are, but they've got a 6-foot-6 guy at (shooting guard) and a 6-7 guy at (small forward) who are very skilled. They're very deep with 11, 12 guys, and their post guys are long and athletic.

"They've played a tough schedule, and there is no question when you watch them on film that they can play."

Tiffin is led offensively by Keenan Barlow, who is averaging 13 points per game.

KWC (11-1) is a much more prolific offensive team than the Dragons, with four Panthers averaging in double figures, led by senior point guard Desmond Stephens' 16.7 ppg. Junior forward Chris Williams is close to averaging a double-double with 10.1 points and 8.8 rebounds a contest.

The Panthers' offensive improvement has been a highlight for Lee thus far.

"They're all getting a much better understanding of the offense," he said. "We're getting to the point where we can read and react to the defense."

Lee hasn't been nearly as pleased with the Panthers' defensive work, saying his club "still has a long way to go."

Still, the Panthers have successfully incorporated several new players into the system without having to endure many growing pains.

KWC hasn't lost since the season opener to San Francisco State, when it was without Stephens and Andree' Wilson, a top reserve. And the 11-game winning streak began against a Western Washington squad that hasn't suffered a setback since.

"I don't know that we're ahead of schedule, but I think we're about where I was hoping we would be with a lot of new players, with guys practicing harder and understanding the things we want to do," Lee said. "But we're not anywhere where we needed to be defensively.

"We still have a lot to improve."

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