Hated Rockets. Part 2

So, after playing an instant classic at Savage earlier this year, BG and UT are now heading to game 2, the first time BG has played a team for the second time.

BG should have won the first game.  They shot the ball well, had a good game on the boards, and were slightly better at the line. Defense was solid. Unfortunately, BG turned the ball over twice as often...and at the worst time. 

With 4:42 to go, BG was up 7 with the ball. They turned the ball over four times in the last 4 minutes, had a shot that missed everything, created a huge shot clock violation, and then a UT player who had been elbowed in the eye by his own teammate canned a clutch jumper, and UT stole the game.

It was a heartbreaker...and BG lost the next 2 games after that.

MAC only stats.

As always, UT is a strong offensive team, #3 in the MAC.  BG is now #2 in defensive efficiency.  As noted, BG had the better of it in Savage, holding UT to 1.08 points per possession. They are very selective in shooting 3FGs, but are #2 when they do shoot.  They take excellent care of the ball, rebound well, and are #6 at getting to the line and #4 at making FTs.  They play solid offense across the board, and BG's defense is solid across the board.

And BG is #8 in offense, and UT is #8 in defense.  Their only weakness is on their defensive boards.  BG is the #5 shooting team in the MAC, and UT is #9 defending the shot.

Their leading scorer is the likely MAC FR of the Year, Leroy Blyden Jr. He scores 17.1 PPG at high efficiency, shooting 51%/40%/85%.  And one heartbreaking, one-eyed jumper.  He had 19 the first time around.

Sonny Wilson is scoring 16.9 PPG on 49%/38%/67% shooting.  He is #1 in the MAC in minutes and #2 in A/TO.  In general, his numbers are influenced by his high amount of PT.  BG held him to 7 points on 2 of 8 and 1 of 4 shooting.

Austin Parks scored 12.1 PPG on 65% 2FG shooting, #9 in the MAC. He is also #3 in blocked shots. He had 14 the first time.

And Sean Craig scores 11.6 PPG, shooting 56%/34%/73% and leads UT with 8 RPG. He had 13 in the first one and 7 rebounds.

BG had one-dimensional scoring in the first game, with Campbell getting 29 of the 72 points.  He was an absolute machine.

BG is a 1.5-point favorite