WICHITA, Kan. — With two games left on their schedule, the Newman men's basketball team will look to make another jump in the conference this week. The Jets are coming off a little break with only one conference game last week.

POSTSEASON CONSIDERATION

Newman could finish anywhere between the first and the fifth seed at next week's Heartland Conference tournament, which will take place March 1-4 at the Union Multipurpose Activity Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With two wins for the Jets and one stumble by Arkansas-Fort Smith, Newman would tie for the regular season championship.

SCOUTING NEWMAN

The Jets (13-12, 9-5 Heartland) traveled to Lubbock, Texas Thursday for a matchup with the Chaps. The Jets were looking to keep their hot play and momentum going after winning their last five games. The Chaps got off to a fast start and the Jets had a difficult time slowing them down, as the Chaps would get the victory 84-67.

                Leaders
                Dametrius Walker-15.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 50.4 FG%
                Ben Ayre-13.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 36.7 FG%
                Kevin Bryant-11.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 53.1 FG%
                Andre Sands-8.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.6 apg, 47.1 FG%

SCOUTING THE HILLCATS

The Hillcats (17-9, 8-6 Heartland) are coming off two well-played wins Thursday and Saturday on the road. In the first game, the Hillcats found themselves matched up with St. Mary's and the game was close throughout but the Hillcats were able to pull off the close victory 65-60. Against Texas A&M International, the Hillcats had some better opportunities and were able to go on some runs late to give them the double-digit victory, 58-47.

                Leaders
                Baron Smith Jr.-15.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 45.0 FG%
                Saint Hilaire-13.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 46.0 FG%
                Tate Turner-9.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 47.4 FG%
                Chase Littlejohn-8.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 51.4 FG%

SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS

The Patriots (21-5, 10-4 Heartland) are coming off an impressive couple of games at home and on the road. Thursday the Patriots welcomed Oklahoma Christian into Dallas, and the Patriots would get off to a hot start, winning the matchup 89-68. Saturday the Patriots traveled to Austin with a matchup with St. Edward's. This would be a closer game for the Patriots, who were still able to get the victory 94-88.

                Leaders
                Boy Van Vleit-14.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.0 apg, 48.0 FG%
                Chandler Jacobs-14.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 56.5 FG%
                Patrick Burke-12.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.6 apg, 67.2 FG%
                JT Harris-10.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.2 apg, 43.4 FG%

NOTES

-Newman currently sit in third place with their final two games this week, looking to keep pushing and maintaining a top spot in the conference tournament.

COVERAGE

Live video, audio and statistics will be available at www.newmanjets.com. The contest can also be heard on 92.3 FM in Wichita.