LIKELY STARTERS
Texas-Pan America (0-5, 0-0)
G- Jared Maree (6-3 So)
G- Ben Smith (6-3 Sr)
G- Nick Weiermiller (6-1 Jr)
G- Julius Hearn (6-0 Jr)
F- Luis Valera (6-7 Sr)
Mocs (2-2, 0-0)
G- Keegan Bell (6-1 RSo)
G- Josh Odem (6-5 Fr)
G- Jeff Smith (6-5 RJr)
F- Ridge McKeither (6-5 Jr)
F- Jeremy Saffore (7-1 RJr)
EDIT: According to a Chattanooga Times-Free Press article, Dante Harvey will be starting today. It said that he would be starting in place of Ricky Taylor, who I had already removed from the starting lineup. If this is based on the Missouri starting lineup, that would mean Harvey is in, and McKeither is out. We'll see.
KNOW THY OPPONENT
Here is the Texas-Pan America Broncos Men’s Basketball website- http://www.utpabroncs.com/sports/m-baskbl/txpa-m-baskbl-body.html.
The Broncos have started the same five in each game so far this year. They lost to Louisiana Tech in their opener at home, then lost their road games to Lamar, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Missouri, and Mississippi State. They have been outscored by an average of 25.2 points per game, 81.8-56.6. They have been outrebounded by about twelve per game, and are shooting just 36.3 percent from the floor and 59.5 percent from the free throw line. They are shooting 30.9 percent from three point range. Opponents are shooting 54.1 percent from the floor. Of course, the Broncos only start one player over 6-3, so that can play a huge role in how their opponents have been shooting against them.
The Broncos are members of the newly formed Great West Conference. It does not currently have an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. They do have an automatic bid to the CBIT, though. Nick Weiermiller was preseason first team all conference. Nathan Hawkins and Ben Smith were named to the honorable mention all conference team. The team was picked to finish last in the conference.
No player is currently scoring in double figures. Luis Valera leads the team in points with 8.4 per contest. He is shooting 52.8 percent from the floor. He also leads the team in rebounding, averaging 5.2 per game. Weiermiller has been struggling so far this year, despite the preseason expectations. He is shooting just 28.1 percent from the field and averaging 6.2 points per game. Hawkins has also not been great off the bench. He is averaging just 6.0 points per game, and has made just 2 of 13 free throws.
The Broncos are averaging just 16.6 turnovers per game, which is pretty solid given that they have already played Missouri and Mississippi State. We all know that the Tigers force a lot of turnovers. They turned the ball over just 22 times against Mizzou.
ANALYSIS
The Mocs have not played well away from home so far this year, with two underperforming losses to Richmond and Missouri. They will need to show up at South Padre Island if they want to beat Texas-Pan America.
Ricky Taylor has been in an awful slump lately for the Mocs. Everyone got excited by his first performance against Tennessee Wesleyan, and then a decent showing against Virginia Intermont. Since the D1 competition started up, he has been ice cold.
The Mocs have been outrebounding their opponents by an average of 3.5 per game, which is very good. They also have really improved their free throw shooting, as they are up to 74.1 percent from the charity stripe. The problem has been turnovers, as they have committed 19.8 per game. The Broncos defense has not forced a lot of turnovers, though. Keegan Bell should be able to control the ball better and he needs to be a force in this game.
Shulman has been messing with the starting lineup for the Mocs. Based on performance, I think the starting lineup listed above will be it. However, don’t be surprised if DeAntre Jefferson gets the start. He needed to be benched for a game after that showing against Richmond, but he played with much more enthusiasm against Missouri.
The problem for the Mocs could be if Weiermiller suddenly finds himself. He is capable of putting up big numbers and has been ice cold so far this year. If he starts shooting lights out, then the Broncos could have a shot at putting together a nice performance. It seems like the Mocs are always giving up a career night to someone, and Weiermiller could be that guy. Ben Smith made 5 of 12 from three point range against Missouri.
The key for the Mocs will be rebounding. They have a big size advantage. Not just with Jefferson, McKeither, and Saffore, but even out on the perimeter. The Mocs will need to have a big rebounding edge in this game, or else Texas-Pan America may hang around.
QUESTIONS I WANT ANSWERED
- Can Ricky Taylor snap out of his 4 for 25 slump over the last three games?
- Will the Mocs perform away from home?
- What will the starting lineup be?
PREDICTION
The Mocs have more talent. They certainly have more size. They are not as experienced as the Broncos though. The Mocs need to convince themselves that they are capable of winning a game away from home. The Broncos have some talented shooters that have not been hot shooting as of late. If they start heating up, then the Mocs could find themselves in some trouble. Still, even if that happens, Bell and the guys down low should be able to find their points. The Mocs should win this one fairly comfortably if they just play their game. Mocs 84, Texas-Pan America 71.
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