Kent, Part II

So in a fight to get a home berth in the tournament (and I suppose in theory for a bye), BG heads to eastern Ohio to take on the Kent State Golden Flashes,  If you recall, the Kent game was BG's big comeback when, where they were down 19 in the first half and rallied to win 70-62 at the Stroh.  It was certainly among the most exciting men's games at the Stroh this year or probably any year.

The loss sent off a bad streak for the Flashes.  Including that game, they have lost 5 of their last 6.  It was a rough patch on the schedule, with EMU, Ball State and Buffalo.  They also lost by 12 @OU in their last game.  The only win was over Akron at the MACC Center.  They are 7-8 in MAC play, but have only lost 1 at home in the MAC season.

And, remember, Akron was playing poorly coming into the BG game.

Here was the scoop when the teams played the first time  It wasn't a great offensive game, BG scoring 1.01 PPP and Kent getting .9.  And that was the mark of how BG got back into the game....highly engaged defense that provided the stops needed to catchup.  It was Kent's worst offensive game in MAC play, and they are 7th in the MAC in offensive efficiency.  Average but not bad.  As you can see, they shot poorly, took bad care of the ball, didn't do much on the board and did not get to the line much.  BG, by contrast, shot only a little better but took care of the ball.

This has been the key element for BG this year.  When BG plays defense, they can win in this conference.  When they don't, they can't.  The average scoring in D1 this year is 1.06 points per possession.  BG is 12-2 when holding their opponents under that mark.  They are 2-10 when allowing more than that.  (D1 only).  If BG plays good defense, they can win this one.  If they don't, or they play average defense, it is a lot less likely.

Kent is led by Jaylin Walker, 17.3 PPP and making 38% from 3FG.  Kevin Zabo scores 14.3 on a rough 42% shooting and then there is Adonis De La Rosa, who was a handful for BG in game one and has 12.5 PPG on 55% shooting and 8 RPG.

This one is going to be interesting.  BG comes in as the underdog against a Kent team which is struggling.  BG will need a significantly better effort to pick up the road win here.