Pirate Preview

Next up for Falcon MBB is Hampton--the Pirates.  This will be a school day filled with high-pitched screams...go at your own risk.

Hampton is now in the CAA, but they were in the Big South and MEAC before that.  They are an HBCU. Without question, their biggest win was a #15 upset over Iowa State in the 2001 NCAA Tourney.  That team was coached by former Falcon assistant Steve Merfeld, who now heads Player Development for Creighton. 

They actually made the tourney 6 times in the MEAC. Since they left the MEAC, they have had losing seasons 4 of the 5 seasons. They were 17-43 over the last two seasons entering this year.

They are coached by Edward Joyner.  This is his 15th year there, and he has won 48% of his games in that time.

Their pre-season poll and Blue Ribbon has them 13th out of 14th in the CAA.  Last year, the CAA was the #26 ranked conference.

They are 4-6 this year, but 1-6 in D1 games. Their only win was over #261 Florida Gulf Coast. They lost to James Madison (68), Kent by 38 (103), San Jose State (173), Howard (234), Norfolk State (236) and UMBC (at home) (328). They are 1-15 on the road over the last two years, including this year.

BG has beaten them both times they played, once at Calihan Hall in 2018 and again last year in Virginia. Based on ESPN or Kenpom, BG has an 84% to 86% chance of winning.

They struggle on both sides of the ball.  They are #321 in adjusted offense and #300 in raw (not adjusted for schedule).  They are #305 in adjusted defense and #325 in raw.

They play a VERY fast pace....74 possessions, #23 in the country.  They take 40% from 3FG, which is a lot but only make 32%, which is below average.  They are decent (51%) on 2FG.  They turn the ball over a lot (#343 in the country) and do not offensive rebound well (#309).  They get to the line a lot, #62 in the country and make 73%, which is pretty good.

Defensively, they are terrible against the 2FG (#286) and 3FG (#227).  This is good for BG, which has relied on 2FGs this year. Their defensive turnover rate is average.  They are poor on the defensive boards (#281) and they also give up a lot of FTs (40%).

Their leading scorer is Tedrick Wilson, a 6'6" GR who scores 15.8 PPG on 65% 2FG shooting and 44% 3FG shooting.  That is very efficient. He also averages 5.4 RPG and has 14 steals.  These are the numbers of an efficient scorer.

Kyrese Mullin is the second leading scorer at 15.3 PPG. He's a 6'7" SO. He makes 57% and 37% of his shots, also very efficient, and adds 9 RPG.

Tristan Maxwell is 6'3" and a SO. He scores 10 PPG, on 46% and 31% shooting.  He leads the team with 32 assists.

Settle in kiddos. See if BG can with their 6th straight.