FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. – The Wartburg men's basketball team (5-4 overall) will return to action after an 11-day break when it travels to take on the New England College Pilgrims (7-1) on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. (CT), followed by a game against the SUNY Poly Wildcats (2-7) on Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. (CT) in the Cruzin Classic.
 
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The Series
Wartburg and New England College have not previously met. The Knights and SUNY Poly Wildcats have met only once before in a game that took place on Dec. 19, 2016, where the Knights defeated the Wildcats 70-56 in the Cruzin Classic.
 
Wartburg
The Orange and Black enter the tournament on a three-game losing streak, with the last loss coming against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles in an 86-77 affair on Dec. 9. Leading the way in scoring for the Knights is senior guard Jaran Sabus (Urbandale), who logs in 21.1 points per game, hitting over half of his shots from the field (55.6%). Trailing Sabus in scoring is fellow senior guard Cam Kickbush (Reinbeck) at 11.3 points per contest, sophomore guard Max Smith Drahos (Cedar Rapids) at 11.3 points per game and senior center Josh Gehling (Dyersville) at 10.2 points per game.
 
As a team, the Knights score 83.3 points per game, while allowing their opponents to score 75.9 points per game. On the year, Wartburg is has out-rebounded their opponents (309-283), recorded more assists (147-139) and hits on a higher percentage of their overall shots (51.1% - 45.5%) than their opponents.
 
Career Record Watch
Sabus enters the tournament with 1,223 career points, which ranks 16^th in program history. Sabus trails 15^th place by 21 points (1,244), 14^th place by 54 (1,277) and 13^th place by 86 (1,309). In addition to his career points, Sabus also ranks third in program history for made free throws with 378 career makes. He trails second place by 72 makes (450).

Kickbush ranks fourth in program history for career made three-pointers with 186. He trails third place by 17, second place by 32 and first by 37 treys.
 
New England College
The Pilgrims are coming off of a 95-66 win over Colby-Sawyer College on Dec. 13, giving them a three-game win streak entering the tournament. Senior guard Ricky Leonard leads the team in scoring with 16.4 points per game with a field goal percentage of 49.5%. Junior guard Izaiah Winston-Brooks is second on the team in scoring by putting up 15.8 points per game, shooting 40.3% from the field. Senior forward Jason Jones provides the Pilgrims with solid frontcourt production, as the big man puts up 9 points per game and totals a team-high 7.9 rebounds per contest.
 
The Pilgrims are coached by Charlie Mason, who is coaching in his 16^th season at New England College. Over his time with the Pilgrims, Mason has compiled a record of 142-265 with one appearance in the NCAA playoffs (2018). Mason is assisted by Malcolm Wynn and Jaiwon Martin.
 
SUNY Poly
The Wildcats are coming off of an 81-43 loss to Hobart College on Dec. 14. Leading the team in scoring and rebounding is sophomore forward Josh Gregory with 19.9 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game. Trailing Gregory in scoring is senior guard Redell Freeman at 13.4 points per game and senior guard Peyton Griffiths at 8.3 points per game. Freeman leads the team in assists by recording 3.2 per contest.
 
SUNY Poly is coached by Rob Schoener, who is coaching in his fifth season with the Wildcats. He has compiled a 218-112 record over his four years at the helm.  Schoener is assisted by Mike Durr, John Spina, David Golembiowski and Quayshaun Mitchell.
 
National Stat Rankings
Wartburg is ranked in seven top-100 statistical categories, which were updated by the NCAA today. The Knights are ranked 15^th in field goal percentage (51.2%), 36^th in three-point field goal percentage (40.4%), 42^nd in free throw percentage (75.9%), 70^th in scoring offense (83.3 ppg), tied for 74^th in total assists (144), tied for 78^th in assists per game (16) and rank 99^th in scoring difference margin (7.4).
 
The Knights have two players who rank in six top-100 statistical categories. Sabus is tied for seventh overall in free throws made (60), tied for 16^th in free throw attempts (72), tied for 54^th in total points (190) in addition to ranking 54^th in points per game (21.1). Max Smith Drahos is tied for 67^th in total steals (20) and is tied for 78^th in steals per game (2.22).