Morgan State MBB Preview

 So, BG hits their next game with a five-game losing streak and playing pretty poorly.  This is a game you'd expect to win, but you never know...

The play in the MEAC.  While they made their tournament in 09 and 10, they were 13-15 last year.  They were picked #4 in the conference this year in their official poll.  Blue Ribbon had them #2.

They are 3-5 overall, 1-5 in D1 play.  That win was over a decent Utah Valley team (148) in OT.  They lost @Akron by 6 and to Queens by 10 on a neutral floor. 

They have played BG once, with BG beating them in 2016 at the Stroh by 90-58.  Matt Fox (!!) led BG with 18 points.

They are coached by Kevin Broadus, who rained scandal down upon Binghampton.

When you look at their numbers, it is important to keep an eye on their schedule, which is #28 in the country, excluding the non-D1 games, which are also excluded from the team stats.

Profile-wise, they are not a good offensive team, scoring .91 points per possession.  Even adjusted for their schedule, it is .95.  They are #333 in the country in offense. The primary issue is shooting, where they are #309, which is bad but not as bad as BG.

They take only 27% of their shots from 3FG, which is the 13th lowest in the country. They actually aren't bad on the 3s they do take, at 35%, which is probably a reflection of decent shot selection.  They are terrible on 2FGs at 43% and #332 in the country....worse than BG. 

Unlike BG, they combine poor shooting with 22% turnovers, #317 in the country.  They also do not get to the line and make only 65% when they do.  The only positive offensive stat is offensive rebounding, where they get 33%, #70 in the country.  BG is really good on the defensive boards, allowing only 24%, so that should be an interesting part of the battle.

But, big picture, if Morgan State is making shots we have a problem....and BG is #312 at defending the shot.

On defense they are not as bad on defense, at 102.7, which is #202 in the country.  Of course, BG is #267 in scoring. They are really good at defending the 3FG (#75) but not good at the 2FG, which is #274.  Importantly, they force turnovers on 26% of possessions which is #17 in the country.  So decent against the shot and a lot of turnovers.  What could go wrong?  Well, they are #362 in protecting their defensive boards (probably due to their pressure defense) and they are #358 in allowing teams to the FT line.

They are led by Isaiah Burke, a 6'1" Sr. G who also has been at Morgan his entire career.   He is scoring 17.7 a game at 45% on 2FG and a scorching 48% on 3FG and 9 rebounds a game.

Next is Malik Miller, scoring 15 a game, but at 44% and 11% shooting.  He is a 6'4" SR G and has played at Morgan State his entire career.

Their next leading scorer averages 8 a game.

So, we shall see.  BG is playing poorly.  At home, this should not be a discussion, but it is.