KS Preview (MBB)

BG has a tough week when they need it the least.  On paper, it will be difficult to win one, but if BG did, it would be huge.  On that front, BG would be most likely to win at home over Kent tomorrow.

The first meeting between BG and KSU could not have gone worse for the Falcons. They trailed by 18 at the half, were never closer than 15 in the second half and trailed by as much as 25.  BG could not make a basket, making 37% on 2FG and 27% on 3FG. Meanwhile, Kent shot 56% and 46%.  Overall, BG had .88 points per possession and allowed 1.17, both losing numbers.

This is not a normal Kent year, but we know no one will want to play them in Cleveland.  They are 7-5 in MAC play...last year they were 6-6 after 12 games.  They have won 4 straight, including the Sun Belt game. They have one of the tougher closing schedules in the MAC, playing 4 of 6 on the road.

Kent plays #11 in terms of pace and the first game was BG's slowest MAC game of the season.

Kent is the best defensive team in the MAC, allowing .99 points per possession. That is the normal order to business for the Flashes, who also led in 21-22 and 22-23.  They are #7 in offense.  BG is #6 in defense and #10 in offense.  The first step is for BG to hold KS to nearer their normal scoring than they did last time, which would make the game closer right there.

They are good across the board on defense. They are #2 against the shot, #2 against both the 2FG and the #3FG, and #1 at forcing turnovers and on the defensive boards.  They do give up a lot of FTs--they foul a lot, almost as a strategy to dare the official to call them all.  If the defense can get it close, the offense will need to take care of the ball and hit their FTs to bridge the gap.  Also, KS is great on the offensive boards--BG needs D-boards to get into transition and avoid playing half court offense.

Kent is best on the boards, where they are #3 in the MAC.  They are #6 shooting the 2FG and #10 on the 3FG. They do turn the ball over and they do not get to the line.  BG does not defend the shot well, but will need to get some stops and clear the board to have a shot to create offense on the other end.

They are led by two familiar names.  VonCameron Davis, averages 15.8 PPG on 47% and 37% shooting.  Jalen Sullinger scored 15.4 PPG on 56% and 32%, with most of his shots coming from 3FG. Cian Medley leads them with 5.2 APG and Delrecco Gillespie leads them in rebounding and is #2 in the MAC.

So off we go.  KSU to date is not the team we are used to seeing, but they still represent a tough challenge for the Falcons. It would be a nice night for some shots to fall, as unlikely as that would appear from the matchup.