Don’t tell Donta Watson that this isn’t a big game this time around.
Sure, last month’s matchup between undefeated Emporia State and undefeated Central Missouri might have been one of the most anticipated games in White Auditorium history before being postponed because of icy roads.
But this one — the clash between a pair of two-loss teams — means just as much to the ESU senior guard.
“We’re looking forward to this one even more, for the simple fact that first place in the conference is on the line,” Watson said. “I know a lot of people think this game has lost some luster because we’re both not undefeated, but we’ve got a lot more to be playing for this time.”
Tipoff for Saturday’s matchup between the No. 5 Mules and No. 15 Hornets is set for 3:30 p.m., immediately following the UCM/ESU women’s game at 1:30.
The two men’s teams are in a virtual tie for first place at the top of the conference along with Northwest Missouri State.
ESU and UCM both sit at 10-2 in the MIAA, with Northwest a half-game up thanks to its 11-2 record in league play.
“I definitely think this game at this portion of the season is more important than it would have been the first time,” Watson said.
After rolling to a 19-0 start, Central has started to unravel a bit in its last two games.
The Mules lost, 82-64, at Northwest last Saturday, then were upset, 87-77, at Fort Hays State on Wednesday.
Central still enters the contest with a perfect 12-0 record at home, winning all of those games by double digits.
“We’d like to go out there and compete with them and hopefully not back down and not get intimidated by their physical talent,” ESU coach David Moe said. “Usually they try to intimidate their opponents, and hopefully we can withstand some of that.”
The game also will pit Watson against Central guard Zach Wright in a matchup of two of the top candidates for league MVP honors.
Wright is averaging 17.9 points per game — including 18.8 in conference — while Watson has posted 19.4 ppg both overall and in MIAA play.
ESU has won two consecutive games, including a dramatic 73-72 victory at Missouri Southern on Saturday. The Hornets trailed by four with less than a minute to play before DeAndre Townsend scored the final five points.
The Hornets will look to fight the habit of starting poorly, as ESU has faced a halftime deficit in three of its last five games.
“We just get kind of complacent,” Watson said. “We need to play with that same urgency we have to start the game throughout the whole first half. Against a good team like Central, you can’t afford any lapses. If we ever needed to put together a 40-minute game, Central Missouri’s the one.”
On the women’s side, No. 10 ESU will face a tough matchup against UCM’s talented guards.
The Jennies’ top three scorers come from the backcourt, led by Lindsey Maple’s 14.7 points per game.
“Our bigs are going to have to get out on the floor,” ESU coach Brandon Schneider said, “and do something they’re not always good at and not very used to, and that’s defend on the perimeter.”
ESU will most likely have to put a post player on either Kim Battle (11.8 ppg) or Meagan Fromm (11.2 ppg), and both could spell problems for the Lady Hornets.
Battle is dangerous because of her athleticism, and Fromm has hit the most 3-pointers for the Jennies this season.
“Those two, I think, are really difficult matchups for everybody in the league,” Schneider said.
Longtime Lady Hornet rival Dave Slifer is in his third season with the Jennies.