RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's basketball team has won four straight games leading up to their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference season opener this weekend Colorado. The Hardrockers defeated the University of Mary on a midweek road trip and then downed Presentation College at home on Saturday to push their overall record to 4-2.
 
"We have taken a huge step --- in my mind, our coaching staff's mind, and in our player's mind -- that they know they can play at both ends of the floor," said Hardrocker head coach Jason Henry, who feels his team has started to improve defensively. "Right now we are doing some good things on the offensive side, but to compete in the RMAC we are going to have to get it done on the defensive end."
 
This Friday the Hardrockers travel to Denver, Colo., for a matchup against MSU-Denver. The Roadrunners are also 4-2 on the season after picking up wins in their last two games.
 
"We are going to have our hands full," Henry said. "They have been No. 1 in the conference the past few years on the defensive side but they are a team we can compete with."
 
Saturday the Hardrockers match up against University of Colorado Colorado Springs. UCCS opened their season with four-straight losses but picked up a win in their last game Saturday.
 
"UCCS is not the defensive juggernaut that MSU-Denver is," Henry said. "However they are a team that can give you trouble, especially on their home court."
 
SD Mines brings a lot of scoring to the table. The Hardrockers' No. 1 option is senior Konor Kulas, who is averaging over 23 points and over nine rebounds per game so far this season. Kulas was just recognized as the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week.
 
"We have a lot of talented freshman and we have a great group of upperclassmen," Kulas said. "We didn't like how we were picked in the RMAC preseason poll. There are a lot of people we need to prove wrong."
 
Friday's tipoff against the Road Runners is at 7pm. Saturday the Hardrockers matchup against the Mountain Lions at 7:30pm. Both games can be watched online, visit the Hardrocker men's basketball schedule at www.gorockers.com to find the links.
 
"We have some confidence going right now," Henry added. "We are excited where we are at."