Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team should have plenty of motivation on Wednesday when the renewal of the Blue Dragons' rivalry with the Butler Grizzlies takes play.

The game will be played at the Power Plant in El Dorado at 7:30 p.m. This will be the 192nd time the long-time Jayhawk Conference rivals to match up. Hutchinson owns a 125-66 all-time series advantage.

The Blue Dragons head into Wednesday's game unranked in the NJCAA national rankings. Previously ranked No. 14, the only blemish on Hutch's record was a 20-point loss to then-No. 8 and now-No. 6 Coffeyville.

The Dragons will also try to avenge a 73-63 loss to the Grizzlies in last year's matchup, also at the Power Plant.  

Hutchinson rebounded from the loss to Coffeyville with an 83-70 victory over Neosho County on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

Sophomore Matt Mayers posted his second double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman Chris Robinson led the Blue Dragons with a season-high 22 points.

Butler suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday, dropping an 86-83 decision at now No. 16 Dodge City. The Grizzlies had two blowout victories before the Dodge City game over the Sterling College JV and Hesston College. Butler scored better than 100 points in each of those games.

The Blue Dragons will have to defend another high-scoring offense on Wednesday.

The Grizzlies, who lost to Coffeyville in last year's Region VI Tournament championship game, are averaging 103 points per game, shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from 3-point range.

Shawn Hopkins scored 22 points in his season debut on Saturday against Dodge City. Treylon Payne is averaging 16.7 points per contest.

Mayers continues to set the scoring pace for the Blue Dragons, averaging a double-double at 18.0 points and 11.3 rebounds. Sophomore Majok Kuath comes off his best game of 19 points against Neosho County. He averages 13.0 points per game.