The College of DuPage Chaparrals men's basketball team will travel to South Holland to battle the Bulldogs of South Suburban to open the NJCAA Region IV Tournament on Feb. 26. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

DuPage enters the postseason averaging 79.6 points per game, while South Suburban averages 88.6. Tight defense will be one of the keys to victory.

The Chaps bring a 17-12 record into tournament play, having won three of their last four games, including a Feb. 17 match up in which Ethan Howard beat the buzzer to force overtime, leading to a 90-86 DuPage win over South Suburban. The Chaps will look to replicate that result in a hostile road environment rematch, where the Bulldogs boast a 13-3 home record this season.

Ranked 44th in the nation in three-point attempts, DuPage will aim to improve upon the five 3-pointers they made in their last meeting with South Suburban. The Chaps are also 16th nationally in free throw attempts per game, a statistic that could prove critical in a high-intensity playoff atmosphere.

Head Coach Joe Kuhn previewed the match up:

"Regarding our preparation, I think this week's been very good. We've been focused, and obviously, just playing them so recently, we're both going to be very familiar with each other," Kuhn said.

"They have the advantage of playing at home, but I feel like we're confident in how we've played in the last six or seven games. We've executed; we've grown as a team. So, we'll go and take our chances."

Players to Watch

Ethan Howard enters the match up as the Chaps' leading scorer with 481 points on the season (20.0 ppg). He also leads the team in assists with 75.

"We know they're going to come out trying to punch us, but we're going to match their intensity," Howard said. "We're going to keep fighting and hope we get a W."

Logan Glover averages 12 points per game and leads the team in field goal percentage at 64.6%. He has also recorded 123 rebounds and a team-high 21 blocks.

"We've got to bring the same physicality we played with the first time," Glover said. "In overtime, we stayed together the whole time."

Cameron Chandler is coming off back-to-back season highs with 12 points against Truman and 14 in the win over South Suburban. Chandler is shooting 63.8% from the field this season, with 82 rebounds and five blocks.

"We're going to their house, so it will be important for us to be mentally locked in," Chandler said.

Adyn McGinley averages eight points per game and is a well-rounded contributor on both ends. He has totaled 60 assists and 35 steals this season, second-most on the team.

"Whether we play here, on a neutral court, or at their place, it's not any different for us," McGinley said. "We just have to stick to our game plan."

Amarri Ford enters postseason play as the Chaps' third-leading scorer with 261 points. He leads the team in rebounds (124) and steals (38), ranks second in assists (68), and has added 12 blocks.

"I'm really confident in my guys," Ford said. "I've been confident in my guys the whole season."

Payton Moore brings perimeter shooting into Region play. Of his 123 total points, 84 have come from beyond the arc on 28 made 3-pointers, second-most on the team. Moore has also contributed 52 rebounds and 14 assists.

"It's a great place to play," Moore said. "I remember last year, it was a great environment. If we match their energy and do what we did last time, and make them attack, I think we'll have a great shot."