Time: 7:00 PM
TV: None (MocsVision)
Spalding University is a Division III team that competes in the SLIAC (Saint Louis Independent Athletic Conference). The Golden Eagles are 1-6 on the season. They have played just two road games, back in mid-November, a 15 point loss to Transylvania and a 44 point loss to an 8-1 Coastal Carolina team.
The Golden Eagles are coached by Kevin Gray, a Mocs Hall of Famer. He's been at Spalding since 1998 and has had a successful run there.
The Golden Eagles are lead by Jametrius Brasher is averaging 13.1 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game. He is a 6-6 junior, and one that could potentially be a match-up problem for Chris Early down low. Montray Robinson (a 6-7 center) has started just one game but is the team's second leading scorer with 7.2 points per game. He is only playing about 13 minutes per game.
Johnell Hardin is the team leader in assists-to-turnover ratio, at 1.4. He's only averaging 4.0 points per game. Quayshaun Hamilton is the leading three point shooter at 7 of 24 three pointers for 29.2 percent shooting. He is averaging 5.4 points per game.
Thomas Blakemore is another of the team's better players. He scores 6.7 points per game. Chris McDonald has 5.4 rebounds per game. Tyler St. Julian is averaging 6.7 points per game with 18 minutes per game.
The Golden Eagles are averaging 58 points per game, while shooting under 40% from the floor and 25% from three point range. They do average 36.4 rebounds per game.
The Mocs are a good defensive team, that is holding opponents to 41% from the floor. They also rebound well, so Spalding's rebounding could be a tough thing for the Mocs to deal with.
KEYS TO THE GAME
--Rebounding. The Mocs need to rebound the ball well, and shut Spalding down on the boards to cut off any chance.
--Early vs. Brasher. Brasher is the Golden Eagles best player. If Early can control him, then the Golden Eagles offense will be cut off at the head.
--Keegan Bell. Bell needs to have a nice game and dominate the tempo and set the tone early on.
--Drazen Zlovaric. He should have the biggest game he has had yet this year.
LEAD PIPE LOCK PREDICTIONS THAT ARE SURE TO GO WRONG
--The Mocs defense has been holding teams to around 41% shooting, and the Golden Eagles have under 40% shooting. The Mocs should be able to hold the Eagles down on shooting significantly to around 30-35% shooting.
--Zlovaric will explode for at least 20 points.
--Brasher will get some points, but Early will outplay him.
--The Mocs will continue to struggle shooting.
--Mocs 76, Spalding 45. The Golden Eagles will not be able to score much, but the Mocs will not be able to shoot well enough. They are just struggling too much offensively. It would be really nice if the Mocs could get upwards of 100 points, but that just doesn't seem likely at this point.
GO MOCS!
No comments:
Post a Comment