Panthers' homestand begins with Maryville - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

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Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball coach Todd Lee is stressing the need to stay focused to his Panthers this week.

No. 16 KWC came through five straight road games in good shape, going 4-1 to improve to 21-3 overall and 10-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Panthers now get four straight home contests, starting with Maryville at 7:30 p.m. today at the Sportscenter.

"When you looked at the schedule, you knew a five-game trip could be a turning point in the season," Lee said. "So it was good to play well, and we're in a good position with the four games at home. But now we've got to care of business at home."

That means the Panthers can't have a letdown in intensity, even though the Saints (2-19, 0-12) have struggled through their first GLVC campaign.

You always have to guard against that, and the toughest thing to coach against is human nature," Lee said. "We've got to work to get better and get after it in practice."

Maryville has changed tactics since the start of the season. After opening as a team that liked to press and push the ball, the Saints have settled into a half-court philosophy.

"They've played some tough games, and they can really shoot the ball from the perimeter," Lee said.

Maryville is led by two-guard Eric Gruenewald, who averages 14.7 points per game. The Saints don't have anyone else averaging in double figures.

"(Gruenewald) is a very skilled player," said Lee, whose club figures to have a big edge in the paint, with no Saint averaging more than five rebounds.

KWC has four players averaging double-figure points, led by point guard Desmond Stephens' 18 ppg. Forward Chris Williams pulls down a team-high 8.1 boards a contest.

* KWC moved up to No. 1 in the second weekly NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings Wednesday. The Panthers were No. 2 last week.

"I'm pleased with the progress of our guys, only really having four back from last year," Lee said. "We're in a good position, but that can change. We still have work to do."

The top team in each region will host one of the eight regionals that will be held March 13, 14 and 16.

The Panthers last earned the No. 1 spot in the region on Feb. 26, 2003.

Following KWC in this week's rankings are No. 2 Grand Valley State, No. 3 Drury, No. 4 Quincy, No. 5 Findlay, No. 6 Central State, No. 7, Rockhurst, No. 8 Saint Joseph's, No. 9 Lake Superior State and No. 10 Bellarmine.

Second-ranked Southern Indiana, an unbeaten member of the GLVC, is not eligible for the conference or Division II tournaments.

The top eight in the rankings earn a postseason bid.

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