KWC begins key road trip at Parkside - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

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Kentucky Wesleyan College takes a 7-1 record and No. 10 national ranking into the 2011 portion of its basketball season, but a tough road trip awaits the Panthers -- beginning with today's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Wisconsin-Parkside.

Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. in Kenosha, Wis.

"Playing on the road in our league is very tough," KWC head coach Todd Lee said. "All the teams are familiar with what you want to do, and that makes it tougher to score -- it puts an added premium on every possession.

"Parkside has always been a good offensive basketball team, but they're bigger and more athletic this year. This will be a tough game for us, and an important one, because we're 0-1 in the league."

The Rangers (4-5, 1-1 GLVC) are led by junior guard Lenaeal Harris, who averages 16 points per game, and freshman guard Jordan Mach (14 ppg).

Inside, Wisconsin-Parkside features Tim Baines, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound center (11.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg).

"Baines is a load down low -- a true wide-body," Lee said, "and he's a skilled offensive player. He can score the ball, inside or out."

Other starters include 6-6 sophomore Jeremy Saffold (10.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and junior guard Sam Katula (6.6 ppg).

Lee said the Panthers (7-1, 0-1) must be fundamentally sound in all areas against the Rangers.

"It starts with defense," Lee said. "We've got to limit their effectiveness at the offensive end, we've got to play tough, and we've got to rebound.

"These areas are always important, but they're particularly important when you go on the road."

Wesleyan is led by junior center Anthony Young, who averages team-highs of 20 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and junior guard Cardell McFarland (18.8 ppg), who leads the club in assists (4 apg).

Others expected to start for KWC include senior guard Kwan Waller (13.3 ppg), senior forward Chris Williams (8.4 ppg), and junior point guard Brandon Johnson (3.3 ppg).

Key reserves include junior guard Marseilles Stewart (11.9 ppg) and senior center Jay Ivey (6.4 ppg).

Lee said the importance of KWC's first league road trip, which also includes Tuesday's game at Saint Joseph's, cannot be overstated.

"We need to play well and get back to the plus side in the conference," Lee said. "When you open the league season with a home loss (Bellarmine beat KWC 78-75 on Dec. 2), you've got to really play well on the road to get it back.

"I think we'll be ready to play. We've been off for a while, but our new guys are getting more and more accustomed to playing in the system. In terms of our development as a team, I like what I've been seeing."

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