KSU Preview....Game 2

Three games left....

Kent comes into BG for the second meeting of the year.  Kent is 12-3 in the MAC and one game behind the Rockets for the top spot. They were the talk of the MAC before conference play started with close road losses against Houston, Gonzaga and Charleston. They then won their first 6 MAC games, including over Toledo and looked to be on a glidepath.  They are 6-3 since then, with losses @NIU, @UA and @BS.  None of those is a terrible loss, unless you want to be the conference champion.

Note, if you will, the fact that all those MAC losses are on the road, where Kent will be on Saturday.

Also, note that the best two games BG has played in MAC play have been against Akron and Toledo, top teams at the Stroh.

Kent won the first meeting by 23.  BG led for only :15.  They did get the lead to 6 with 10 minutes left, but Kent has that ability that winning teams have to respond to a run with a run. They punched it back and eventually won big.

Look, Kent plays very physical basketball.  From my observation, their goal is to commit way more fouls than refs can call.  They shot the ball well and killed us on the offensive boards.  Meanwhile, BG shot poorly.  Both teams had too many turnovers.

Kent is the toughest team to shoot against in the MAC and forces the most turnovers.  Overall, they lead the MAC in defense.

Giovanni Santiago did not play in the first BG game and has not played since.  In their last game, Jacobs came off the bench but played 36 minutes.  Hornbeak started but played only 5 minutes. 

Jacobs had 17 on 4 of 8 2FG shooting and 6 FTs.  He had 7 assists and an amazing 7 steals.  Hornbeak had 14 on 5 of 7 shooting plus 5 rebounds. Thomas had 12 on 2 of 4 and 2 of 3 shooting plus 5 rebounds.  Reigning MAC player of the year Sincere Carry had 11 and 7 assists.

We'll see if BG decides to play up for a game against the #2 team in the MAC and how motivated Kent is to play.  Once you are in the top 4, there's no real advantage to be had in seeding anymore.