Pilchard
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Record: Cal State Fullerton is 1-2 with a double OT loss at #45 Arizona State and 68-52 beat down in the quarters of the Myrtle Beach Tourney today. Fullerton's one win was over West Coast Baptist University who is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association, whatever that is. The Titans return their top 5 in minutes played from last year's NCAA Tourney Team. CSF was a #15 seed after winning the Big West Tourney as the #4 seed. Purdue routed Fullerton 74-48 in the 2/15 matchup. After the UCF loss today, CSF dropped to #150 in the KP ratings (WF dropped to #117 - FWIW, WF lowest rating at any point last year was #92).
Offense: Fullerton has a guard-oriented offense as their three starting guards are their top 3 scorers. Last year, 24.4% of their offense came from the line (#5), and they were #2 in the nation in FTA per FGA. So, their guards like to take the ball to the basket and draw fouls. Turnovers have been an issue as the Titans were #337 in the nation in TOs per possession last year. As detailed below, SG Kyle Allman is a big time scorer. He averaged just under 20 points a game last year, and scored 35 in the season opening loss at Arizona State; UCF held Allman to 10. While UCF slowed down the CSF offense, they like to play uptempo as they averaged only 13.7 seconds per possession in the opener against Arizona State.
Defense: CSF plays mostly man on defense. Despite being small, last year, CSF excelled at defending the paint (#13 in 2 PT% defense), but struggled to defend the 3 (#257 in 3 PT% defense). Through two games this year, opponents have hurt Fullerton on the offensive glass as Arizona State and UCF have grabbed more than 35% of available rebounds when CSF is on defense. Through two games, Fullerton is -28 in rebounding margin. They also have been foul prone committing 13 more fouls than their opponents. Their starting center Josh Pits has 6 fouls in 11 total minutes of action this year.
The lineup: CSF starts a three guard lineup: PG Jr Austen Awosika (6-3), SG Sr. Kyle Allman (6-4; shot 43% from 3 last year), SG Sr. Khalil Ahmad (6-3), PF 6-5 Jr. Davon Clare, C So. Josh Pitts (6-9). While Pitt starts, he plays very limited minutes because of foul issues. The Titans rotate Johnny Wang (6-9 245) and Amel Kuljuhovic (6-10 255) at center. None of Fullerton's centers are an offensive threat. Kyle Allman is their primary offensive threat as he scored over 20 points 17 times last year, including 40 against Hawaii, 34 against Georgia and 30 against Cal. Allman scored 35 against Arizona State to open the season. In addition to an being an excellent 3 point shooter, Allman is very good at drawing fouls. He got to the line 244 times last year. Ahmad is also a solid scoring threat. He is averaging 22 ppg in CSF's two D-1 games this year, scoring 15 today against UCF.
Bottom Line: KP projects a narrow WF 76-74. After an off game against UCF, fully expect Kyle Allman to bounce back with a big game against WF. WF has a size and rebounding edge. WF will have major issues if Fullerton's guards get Chill in foul trouble. This game will be tight, and Fullerton has a major edge in experience and in how to pull out close games (8-4 last year in games decided by 5 or less or in OT).
Offense: Fullerton has a guard-oriented offense as their three starting guards are their top 3 scorers. Last year, 24.4% of their offense came from the line (#5), and they were #2 in the nation in FTA per FGA. So, their guards like to take the ball to the basket and draw fouls. Turnovers have been an issue as the Titans were #337 in the nation in TOs per possession last year. As detailed below, SG Kyle Allman is a big time scorer. He averaged just under 20 points a game last year, and scored 35 in the season opening loss at Arizona State; UCF held Allman to 10. While UCF slowed down the CSF offense, they like to play uptempo as they averaged only 13.7 seconds per possession in the opener against Arizona State.
Defense: CSF plays mostly man on defense. Despite being small, last year, CSF excelled at defending the paint (#13 in 2 PT% defense), but struggled to defend the 3 (#257 in 3 PT% defense). Through two games this year, opponents have hurt Fullerton on the offensive glass as Arizona State and UCF have grabbed more than 35% of available rebounds when CSF is on defense. Through two games, Fullerton is -28 in rebounding margin. They also have been foul prone committing 13 more fouls than their opponents. Their starting center Josh Pits has 6 fouls in 11 total minutes of action this year.
The lineup: CSF starts a three guard lineup: PG Jr Austen Awosika (6-3), SG Sr. Kyle Allman (6-4; shot 43% from 3 last year), SG Sr. Khalil Ahmad (6-3), PF 6-5 Jr. Davon Clare, C So. Josh Pitts (6-9). While Pitt starts, he plays very limited minutes because of foul issues. The Titans rotate Johnny Wang (6-9 245) and Amel Kuljuhovic (6-10 255) at center. None of Fullerton's centers are an offensive threat. Kyle Allman is their primary offensive threat as he scored over 20 points 17 times last year, including 40 against Hawaii, 34 against Georgia and 30 against Cal. Allman scored 35 against Arizona State to open the season. In addition to an being an excellent 3 point shooter, Allman is very good at drawing fouls. He got to the line 244 times last year. Ahmad is also a solid scoring threat. He is averaging 22 ppg in CSF's two D-1 games this year, scoring 15 today against UCF.
Bottom Line: KP projects a narrow WF 76-74. After an off game against UCF, fully expect Kyle Allman to bounce back with a big game against WF. WF has a size and rebounding edge. WF will have major issues if Fullerton's guards get Chill in foul trouble. This game will be tight, and Fullerton has a major edge in experience and in how to pull out close games (8-4 last year in games decided by 5 or less or in OT).