Kent Preview

 In comes Kent State in a game that is going to be interesting and telling BG as it approaches the middle of the MAC season.

Kent was picked #5 in the MAC.  That would appear to be at least in the range.  They are 10-9 with 2 non-D1 wins.  They are 5-4 in the MAC. On the upside, they are the only team in the MAC to beat UT so far this year (writing this before the Friday games), as well as beating UA and WMU and @ BSU and @ EMU. They have lost to NIU and CMU at Kent--not good--along with @ OU and @ UB.  They have 3 of their last 4.

Kent has beaten BG the last 4 times the teams have played and the last 2 at the Stroh.  Overall, they are a model program in the MAC. They have had 23 straight non-losing seasons. In those 23 years, they have made the NCAA tournament 6 times, the Elite Eight once, and five regular season titles.  They have 18 20-win seasons in that 23-year run and would have won 20 last year if there was a full season.

The game presents a contrast in styles.  BG plays at the fastest pace in the MAC and Kent State is #11.

There's more.  In addition to playing the #2 offense in the MAC and last in defense.  Kent is #10 in offense and #2 in defense.  The BG offense against Kent defense will be an interesting battle.

Kent State is a terrible shooting team.  They are lost in the MAC and #316 in the country. They take an average number of 3FGs, but make only 24%, which is last in the MAC #343 in the country (out of 357).  They are 11th in making 2FGs.  They are just average taking care of the ball.  They do a good on the offensive boards and they lead the MAC getting to the line and making 74% when they get there.  

The interesting thing is that BG is the easiest team in the MAC to shoot on, so that will be an interesting contrast.  Also, BG has been good on the defensive boards and if they can keep the Flashes off the boards it will help a lotl

Kent is extremely effective on defense.  They are #2 against the shot and #1 at forcing turnovers.  They are very good on the defensive boards.  BG is good at all 3 of those things, and it will provide an interesting battle.  

On an individual basis, Giovanni Santiago has not started for the past 6 games.  He did not play at all in the last two and I don't know what his status is for Saturday.

 Their leading scorer is Duquesne transfer Sincere Carry.  He's scoring 19.4 PPG, but is not efficient, shooting 48% and 27%. He is #4 in scoring and #3 in assists. JUCO transfer Malique Jacobs is scoring 12 PPG on 40% 2FG shooting and 18% 3FG shooting.  He was all-defense in the MAC this year and leads the team with 7.3 RPG. Justyn Hamilton has 6.6 RPG.