THIS WEEK IN MEN'S BASKETBALL... With the 2013 season underway, the Peacocks will look to stop a two-game skid this Thursday night as they head south to challenge the Tritons of the University of Missouri - St. Louis (1-1). This non-conference game is set for 7 p.m. inside the Mark Twain building.
 
"WEEBER" FEVER... One of the newest Peacocks was red-hot on Sunday afternoon against the Tigers of Fort Hays State. Freshman Josh Weeber signed his name in the UIU record books by recording a game-high 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor including a 3-for-6 clip from long range. The total gives Weeber the most points in a game for a freshman since UIU joined the Northern Sun Conference before the 2006 season. The freshman from Dubuque, Iowa hit 11 of his 26 shots for a 42-percent shooting clip in UIU's opening weekend. Weeber also snagged nine boards, added an assist and a steal in 57 minutes of action.
 
NOT OUT OF THE "WOODS" YET... Redshirt-senior point guard Joey Woods has had a strong start to the 2013 season, despite playing just 28 minutes per game. The Naples, Florida native is averaging 16 points, 3 rebounds and 4 steals per game this year. That includes a team-high 18 points against Northwest Missouri State this past Saturday - a game in which his coach says he just took over at the end, driving to the hoop at will. Woods has also gotten to the charity stripe a lot this season as he can blow past anyone with a mean crossover. He is 10-for-12 from the free throw line this year.
 
PASSED OVER PEACOCKS... Much like last year, when the team was picked in the 2012 preseason to finish tied for 12th in the conference and seventh in the south division, the Peacocks were passed over again in 2013. Upper Iowa was picked 14th in the overall preseason poll and 7th (tied with Wayne State College) in the NSIC South poll.
 
LEADING THE TRITONS... Aareon Smith (18.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.5 apg) || Tyler Wimbish (15.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2 apg) || Darien Cartharn (12.5 ppg, 4.0 apg) || John Femi (8.5 ppg, 2 spg) || Michael Weber (8.5 ppg, 3.5 apg)
 
TROUBLING DEFENSE... The Peacocks have found the basket early and often in 2013, but stopping the other team find it as well has been another story. UIU is giving up an average of 94 points per game and a shooting clip of 51-percent to opponents. The Peacocks have also been outrebounded this year, 77-63, and they've sent opponents to the free throw line 57 times already. UIU will look to bounce back this week against the Tritons on Thursday night and hopefully the defense will come to play. UMSL is averaging just 75 points per game this year and a 47-percent shooting clip from the field.

FOLLOW ALONG FROM HOME... Catch all of the action live with the above video and stat links provided by the University of Missouri - St. Louis and the Tritons Athletic Department. You can also listen live to the UMSL broadcast on Thursday night by clicking here.