Panthers have test at Lewis - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team has the national ranking (No. 16) and impressive record (19-3, 8-2 Great Lakes Valley Conference).

But Panthers coach Todd Lee has no doubt who should be favored in his club's road matchup with Lewis (12-7, 4-6) at 7:45 p.m. today.

"If Division II had lines, we would not be the favorite in this game," Lee said. "Homecourt is a bigger difference in college basketball than any other sport. It's worth 10 to 14 points, everything else being equal."

Lee doesn't sugarcoat that outlook to his players.

"I'm realistic about it, and maybe it's not the approach some people will take," he said. "But we're not supposed to beat Lewis (on the road)."

This is the second straight week KWC has faced the challenge of the road, with a visit to No. 19 Quincy slated for Saturday. The Panthers came through last week's test in good shape, with a loss at Northern Kentucky between wins at Rockhurst and Indianapolis.

"It's hard when you're in the middle of it to say a split, or two-of-three, is OK, good job, because you want to win every game," Lee said. "But once the weekend is over, you can look back and say 'We did this OK.'

Lee is confident his squad won't take Lewis lightly because of its record, particularly after losing to a Northern squad that had also struggled in conference play. He also can point out the Flyers are 8-1 at home.

"The Northern game showed the importance of approaching every game saying here's X, Y and Z, and if we don't do these things well we can't compete," Lee said. "We can't turn the ball over, and we've got to be physically tough."

Lewis has four players averaging double-figure points, led by guard Dennis Thomas' 14.2 points per game. In addition to balance, the Flyers also have size, with 6-foot-10 center Marty Strus, as well as two other players 6-6 or taller.

"Size has bothered us, and they can also go small with four guards who can shoot the ball," said Lee, who is equally concerned about the Flyers' offensive philosophy. "They have about five or six sets they run, and they'll run one four or five times in a row, and they'll read (the defense) and react. So it's not like you can take them out of anything."

KWC has four players scoring in double figures, led by current GLVC player of the week Desmond Stephens' 17.8 ppg.

* The NCAA Midwest Regional rankings were released Wednesday, with KWC at No. 2. But what disappointed Lee was the GLVC's lack of numbers in the top eight, which is the cutoff to qualify for the Division II National Championship.

While No. 3 Drury and No. 4 Quincy were safely in, Rockhurst and Bellarmine fell short of the cutoff at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.

"I think our ranking is about where it should be, but the GLVC has four teams in the top 20 in the country, and the (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) has nobody ranked in the top 20, and they've got (four teams in the top eight). And (No. 5) Central State hasn't played anybody."

GLIAC member Grand Valley holds the No. 1 ranking, with the Nos. 6-8 spots filled by fellow conference members Lake Superior, Saginaw Valley and Findlay. Central State is an independent.

Findlay is the only GLIAC member in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches poll, coming in at No. 23.

The formula for the first of the five rankings didn't include won-loss records vs. ranked opponents, which is added to the criteria in the second ranking. Lee anticipates that giving the GLVC teams a well-deserved boost.

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