When: Wednesday December 4th 7:45pm
Where: Beeghly Physical Education Center, Youngstown, Ohio
Ken Pom: RMU 190, YSU 170
Story line: The Colonials look to avoid an O'fer on the four game road trip as they travel to Youngstown Ohio to take on the Penguins. RMU hasn't lost four straight since 2004-2005.
Link: Guys, we're awesome. We get links like Mike Wallace gets money (GO DOLPHINS SUNDAY)... Here you go: http://www.horizonleague.org/live/9604
Getting to know the Penguins:
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| Not those guys.... |
Anyway...
The Penguins are a tough team to measure. They're 6-3 but three of those wins are over D II teams and the D I teams they beat aren't great. They lost to UMASS and Kent State on the road, but were competitive in the Kent State game (the Golden Flash are a solid team).
My biggest worry, YSU winning the game at the free throw line. It's be noted that RMU is struggling to defend, and a lot of that has to do with silly fouls and teams living at the free throw line. YSU is one of the very best free throw shooting teams in the country at 80.2 percent from the line (5th in the country).
The Penguins are going to attack RMU, and look to get to the line as often as possible. The Colonials cannot afford early fouls, or silly hand check fouls. I don't mind making them earn two-points by fouling at the rim if they have an easy layup opportunity, but nothing silly.
Senior guard Kendrick Perry leads the team in scoring at 18.7 ppg and is coming off a season high 32 points his last game. He is shooting 38.7 percent from the field, including a mediocre 32.6 percent from three.
Kamren Belin is second on the team in scoring at 13.7 ppg. His size (6-7, 235) could give RMU some problems. The Colonials have struggled to guard solid offensive big men (a lot of that has to do with Mike McFadden getting in foul trouble).
Keys to the Game:
Obviously there are a lot more "Keys" than one or two specific things, but I gotta be honest, it's ALL about defense for RMU.
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| RMU needs the NIT version of senior forward Mike McFadden. |
On Saturday, Delaware hit the 80 point mark, that's the 6th time (in 8 total games) that RMU has allowed 80 points (or more). That.Is.Not.Good.
By comparison, last year RMU gave up 80 or more just twice. So yea, they're struggling on that end.
The Colonials are actually scoring more points-per-100 possessions this season than they EVER did in the Toole/Rice era. They are currently at 106.0 per 100 possessions. Last season they were at 102 on offense. That side of the ball is fine.
Kavon Stewart played pretty well Saturday in his return from suspension. He's got to cut down on the turnovers --and leaving his feet when he has no idea what he's going to do-- but his ability to find guys and get into the lane is incredible.
Prediction: The last time these two met --2011 season--, Coron Williams (man could we use that guy right now, he's playing great at Wake Forest) hit a game winning three at the buzzer to give RMU a 59-56 win.
KenPom has RMU losing 78-72. I disagree. I think the Colonials get the win, fueled by a strong performance by McFadden and freshman Jeremiah Worthem. By the way, City of Basketball Love wrote a great piece on Worthem, I encourage you to all check it out. Link: WORTHEM SHOWING STRIDES IN FIRST COLLEGE SEASON
This is a BIG game for RMU. Obviously they want to avoid an 0-4 road trip, and avoid the first four game losing streak since 04-05. On top of that, the schedule doesn't get any easier.
Toledo comes to the Sewall Center Saturday (Dec. 7th) and they're undefeated (6-0) with wins at Detroit, at Boston College (of the ACC) and Stoney Brook on a neutral court. They're the best team in the MAC, and the Colonials have already lost to two MAC contenders (EMU, Buffalo).
After that, RMU plays at Duquesne, who's playing well and looking to end the longest losing streak the have ever had against RMU (currently three games).
RMU better start playing defense, or the struggles will continue.
-- Lee Kunkel
-- @Kunkel5
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