It's one of the most stories programs in Division II college basketball. Home of legendary coaches. Home of four national titles, including the first two national titles in college basketball history. Home of the best athletes the MIAA has ever seen.
Mules basketball throughout the ages has been synonymous with excellence. This week we visit with Mules head basketball coach Doug Karleskint and redshirt junior guard Trey Sides. And we get to talk to them as they come off a pair of crucial MIAA wins--81-73 over Pittsburg State on Thursday, Feb. 2 and a 67-59 upset of Missouri Southern on Saturday, Feb. 4.
Coach Karleskint is in his ninth season as the head coach of the UCM Mules basketball team. He is 135-113 overall, and his teams have won 20 or more games three times. Coach Karleskint came to UCM in 2014 after a four year stint at Arkansas Tech University where he led the Wonderboys to an 89-34 record and four consecutive conference championships.
Trey Sides is a two-year starter for the Mules. Best known for his gritty play and excellent marksmanship, Trey is averaging seven points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game this year. He has hit 33-of-98 from three-point range this season, and is a career 40 percent shooter from beyond the arc.
It'll be fun to talk to these guys this week as we get to know them a little better and learn what it means to them to be a part of Mules Basketball history. As always, we'll also share some UCM athletics history, find out where a couple former student-athletes are today, and preview the week ahead.
Fans of the show can listen live at 6 p.m. Thursday and Saturday at ucmbeat.com or download the app for Android (STILL trying to get approval on that Apple app). Or subscribe to the podcast for Apple, Spotify or Android.
And the answer to last week's trivia question: Who was the FIRST individual with University of Central Missouri ties to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame?
That would be ... Forrest "Phog" Allen. Coach Allen may be better known for his time as head coach at the University of Kansas, but he served as the Mules mentor from 1912-1919, compiling a record of 84-31 and winning a pair of MIAA Titles. Coach Allen was also the head coach of the Mules football team from 1912-1917. He posted a record of 29-17-2 and won four conference championships.
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