Rivalry Preview, MBB. BG and UT.

OK, rivalry game #1, as BG and the Rockets clash at Savage...

This is not the typical Rocket team.  They were picked by #5 by Blue Ribbon and #6 by the MAC poll. While still a quality program, they are not in the top tier of MAC teams...of course, neither is BG. They started the year ranked 167 on KenPom, and they are at 160 now. They are 10-9/8-9, but they played the #123 non-conference schedule.

BG and UT are tied at 4-3 in the MAC standings. They have beaten WMU, @NIU, @CMU, and OU...and lost to Miami, @KSU, and @UMass--their last time out. 

UT has won 7 out of the last 10 meetings.  The teams have split both of the last two years, last year with the backwards split, with each team winning on the road.

The Rockets are 2.5-point favorites.

The teams are relatively similar in profile.  UT is #4 in offense and #8 in defense.  BG is #6 in offense and #7 in defense.  It will be a good test for BG's defense that was unveiling in Kzoo Tuesday.  This is a much different challenge.

UT is 2FG focused team, taking the lowest % of 3FG in the MAC.  They aren't bad, they are #5 at 3FG shooting and #8 at 2FG shooting.  All of which leaves them #7 in overall shooting.

It is the weakest part of their attack.  They are #2 in taking care of the ball, #3 on the offensive boards and #4 at getting to the line.  BG's defense is designed to key the offense, with turnovers and defensive rebounds, so that will be an interesting battle to watch.

Their defense is first and foremost built on not fouling.  They are #1 in the MAC at keeping their opponents off the line.  BG is #1 getting to the line.  So that should be interesting.  They are the 12th 3FG defending team in the MAC and 12th on the defensive boards.  So, same as ever, BG will need to make shots to keep up in this one.

Their leading scorer is the leader for FR of the year, Leroy Blyden.  He's scoring 19 PPG (MAC games only).  He's efficient at 50%, 41% and 89% at the line.

Sonny Wilson, 3rd team All-MAC last year, is scoring 17.6 PPG, making 49% and 44%. He's #5 in the MAC with 5.4 APG.

Sean Craig is scoring 12 PPG and adding 8.4 RPG, which is #4 in the MAC.  He's 6'7" from Sylvania Northview who transferred from IU-Indy.

Kyler Vanderjagt also scores 12 PPG on 53% and 44% shooting. He transferred from CMU.

So there we go.  UT is a very solid team, if not as good as we are used to seeing.  This is a good test for BG....remember the end of the last one, where Javonte Campbell silenced the Savagians with a last-second layup.