COMPLETE USI GAME NOTES
 
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 20^th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team hits the road for the final time in the 2013-14 regular season when it travels to fourth-ranked University of Indianapolis Thursday and to Saint Joseph's College Saturday. Tip-off Thursday evening at UIndy is 6:45 p.m. (CST), while the start time Saturday at Saint Joseph's is set for 3 p.m.
 
Game coverage for the seventh week of GLVC action, including live stats, audio, and video links, is available at gousieagles.com. The USI games also can be heard on ESPN 106.7FM and WPSR 90.7FM.
 
The Screaming Eagles (19-4, 10-4 GLVC) completed a homestand sweep last week, defeating Maryville University, 64-61, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 75-58. USI senior forward Taylor Wischmeier (Brownstown, Indiana) had one of the biggest weeks of his season by averaging 15.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per contest against Maryville and UMSL.
 
For the season, USI is led by senior forward Aaron Nelson (Chicago Heights, Illinois). Nelson is averaging a double-double this season with 19.8 points and 13.0 rebounds per contest. He also ranks first in rebounds per game and fifth in total rebounds in the NCAA Division II.   
 
After the 2-0 week, the Eagles rose two spots to 20^th in the NABC/Division II Top 25 poll. The Eagles were joined in the top 25 by Drury University (second), UIndy, Lewis University (23^rd), and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (25^th).
 
USI Men's Basketball notes versus UIndy and Saint Joseph's:

Eagles rise to 20th in latest poll. The University of Southern Indiana rose to 20^th in the 13^th NABC/Division II poll of 2013-14. The Screaming Eagles have been ranked 164 of the last 187 Division II ranking weeks since 2000, including 81 weeks in the top 10 and four weeks at number one.
 
USI clinches GLVC Tournament slot. The Eagles, currently, are in fourth place in the GLVC East Division and have clinched a spot in the GLVC Tournament. USI (11-4 GLVC) is still in the hunt for a first round bye in the conference tournament, as one game separates seeds three through six. The top team in each division and next two teams from either division automatically advance to the Ford Center and the quarterfinals.
 
Eagles have won three in a row. USI has won three in a row, its longest streak since the first week of January.
 
USI sweeps homestand. The Eagles swept their latest homestand, defeating Maryville University, 64-61, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 75-58.
 
Eagles complete schedule against GLVC West. USI played its final regular-season games against the GLVC West last week. The Eagles were 6-2 against the opposite division this season.
 
USI returns to the East division. The Eagles return to play in the GLVC East Division for the final three games of the 2013-14 regular season. USI is 5-2 to date against the East.
 
USI's leaders last week. Senior forward Taylor Wischmeier led the Eagles last week by averaging a double-double, 15.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. Wischmeier also shot 60 percent from the field during the homestand (15-25). Senior center Chuck Jones made his first two starts of the year, posting 12.0 points per outing, while senior guard Lawrence Thomas dropped in 10.0 points per contest.
 
Thomas becoming a force. Senior guard Lawrence Thomas has been a force for the Eagles over the last eight games, reaching double figures. Thomas is averaging 12.6 points during his last eight starts, 1.9 points better than his season average. He also has moved into the lead in the GLVC in three-point field goal percentage (.500, 35-70).
 
UIndy in 2013-14. The fourth-ranked Greyhounds of the University of Indianapolis are sitting on top of the GLVC East Division with a 21-2 overall record and a 13-2 mark in the GLVC. UIndy has won nine in a row after a homestand sweep last weekend and has not stumbled since losing to USI at the PAC in January.
 
USI versus UIndy. USI leads the all-time series with UIndy, 53-18, after defeating the Greyhounds at home in January, 73-64. The Eagles also are 7-4 versus the Greyhounds at Nicoson Hall since 2000. 
 
Saint Joseph's in 2013-14: The Pumas of Saint Joseph's College, who host Bellarmine University on Thursday, are sitting in last place in the GLVC East with a 4-21 overall record and a 1-14 mark in the GLVC. Saint Joseph's was swept last weekend's at home and is in the midst of a 13-game losing streak.
 
USI vs Saint Joseph's. USI lead the all-time series with Saint Joseph's, 50-20, including a win in January, 97-78, at the PAC. The Eagles also are 22-4 against the Pumas since 2000 and hold a 7-3 advantage against Saint Joseph's in Alumni Fieldhouse since 2000.
 
 

NABC/Division II Rankings (Feb. 18, 2014)

1. Metropolitan State, Colo. (14 first place votes)

2. Drury, Mo. (2 first place votes)

3. Tarleton State, Texas

4. Indianapolis, Ind.

5. East Stroudsburg, Pa.

6. West Liberty, W.Va.

7. California Baptist

8. Florida Southern

9. Southern Connecticut State

10. South Carolina Aiken

11. Colorado School of Mines

12. Indiana, Pa.

13. Seattle Pacific, Wash.

14. Lincoln Memorial, Tenn.

15. Cal State-San Bernardino

16. Montevallo, Ala.

17. Minnesota State

18. Lake Superior State, Mich.

19. Delta State, Miss.

20. Southern Indiana

21. Cal Poly Pomona

22. Walsh, Ohio

23. Lewis, Ill.

24. Central Missouri

25. Wisconsin-Parkside