SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team will take on the Portland Pilots and Seattle Redhawks to start the week as part of its two-game road trip to the Pacific Northwest.

The Cardinals first travel to Portland for a date with the Pilots at 7 p.m. (CT) Sunday, December 1, before heading north to face Seattle at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3.

"We had a nice chance to break bread together as a team over Thanksgiving and we've had a good week of practice," Cardinals' coach Carson Cunningham said. "Portland and Seattle pose stiff challenges on their home courts, but it's a great opportunity to test ourselves and the contests should help us prepare for Southland play."

TIPOFF COVERAGE
Live stream: Portland: Stadium
Seattle: WAC Digital Network
Live Stats: Portland
Seattle

SERIES HISTORY

• This is UIW's first encounter with both programs. 

FRESHMAN ON FIRE
Drew Lutz continued his breakout freshman campaign against Eastern Illinois with another career scoring day. The 6'1 guard exploded for 20 points, hitting 4-6 three pointers while setting a career high in assists with five. 

BEAST ON THE BOARDS
Freshman forward Vincent Miszkiewicz has been reliable on the glass over the last two weeks, averaging 11 rebounds per contest in his last four games. He's also averaging 8.8 points and 2.3 blocks per game during that stretch.

WILLIS WORKING
Freshman guard Keaston Willis has strung together some solid scoring efforts over the last couple of weeks, averaging 10.8 points per game in the last four contests. He's also made four or more three pointers in a game twice during that period and has recorded a steal in four out of his last five games. 

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

• Portland is 5-1 on the season, having won four consecutive games entering Sunday's matchup with UIW
• The Pilots are led by senior guard Isaiah White, who's averaging 16.3 points, 3.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game
• Jacob Tryon is Portland's go-to man in the paint. The 6'11 junior is averaging 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, shooting 51.5 percent from the floor and 55.6 percent from beyond the arc
• The Pilots are averaging 74.7 points per game, while surrendering 61.3 points per game
• Portland is holding opponents to just 38.6 percent field goal shooting and 27.5 percent from three
• Seattle is 3-5 on the season and has lost four of its last five contests
• The Redhawks' offense runs almost exclusively through junior guard Terrell Brown, who's averaging 22 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game
• Myles Carter is a key role player for the Redhawks - the 6'9 senior is averaging 13 points and eight rebounds per game
• Seattle has played three Power 5 teams on its schedule this season, falling to Washington State, Syracuse and Ole Miss by an average of 22 points per game

STAY TUNED 
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The UIW men's basketball team is on Twitter at @UIWMBB and Instagram at @uiwmensbasketball.