Pilchard
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The undefeated Deacs conclude their five game homestand (3-1 ATS so far...) this Tuesday against the Kennesaw State Owls. Here's a look at the Owls:
The Coach: In his third season, Amir Abdur-Rahim leads the Owls into Winston. If that name sounds familiar, his brother is Shareef Abdur-Rahim (former 13 year NBA player and current President of the G League). Amir and Shareef are two of 12 kids in the Abdur-Rahim family -- Atlanta Basketball Royalty (6 Abdur-Rahim brothers played college basketball). Amir replaced former BC coach Al Skinner when he took the Kennesaw State job in 2019. Amir inherited a hot mess as KSU went 1-28 in 2020 (#352). The Owls improved to 5-19 (#335) last year, and played the best basketball to end last season. This year, KSU returns 94% of its minutes from last season (#22 in the NCAA), and added a couple of transfers. The Owls are projected to finish in the bottom half of the Atlantic Sun conference (the conference that Liberty dominates). Prior to KSU, Amir assisted under Tom Crean at UGA and Billy Kennedy at Texas A&M.
The Owls 2021-22: The #279 Owls bring a 2-3 record to Tuesday game, but those two KSU wins were over Piedmont and Carver -- non-D1 teams. While the Owls are 0-3 in their games against D-1 teams, Kennesaw has generally played competitive tilts to open the season. KSU started the year with a 84-73 loss at #111 Iowa State, and followed that game with a 51-44 rock fight at #64 Creighton (the Owls led 24-22 at the half). After dominating two non-D1 teams, this past Friday, the Owls dropped a 97-78 contest to #61 Belmont. To date, KSU has struggled offensively (#304 in offensive efficiency), but the Owls have been proficient at the foul line (#60 in FTA per FGA and #55 in FT% - 77%). Other than taking advantage from the foul line, the offense can't put the ball in the basket (28% from 3 -- #271; 43% from 2 - #288; 42.6% effective FG% - #306). Up until the Belmont game, the Owls defense (#237 in KP defensive efficiency) had been solid, including holding Creighton to .77 points per possession, and 1 for 19 from 3. Belmont played a flawless offensive game to beat KSU last Friday (60% from 2; 40% from 3; 92% from the line; 22 assists/9 TOs). After WF, Kennesaw plays the Deacs' most recent opponent, Charleston Southern, on Sunday.
KSU Lineup:
The starters:
PG 5-10 Jr. Terrell Burden: 3rd year in the program; scored 21 against Iowa State and 19 against Belmont; struggles from 3: 15% for his career; 14% on the season
SG 6-4 Sr. Spencer Rodgers: Started at Troy; leads KSU in scoring and three point attempts; shot 36% from 3 last year, but only 3 for 16 this year
G/F 6-4 So. Chris Youngblood: 12 ppg against D1 teams; leads team in steals, 2nd in assists; 88% from the line
F 6-6 So. Brandon Stroud: offensive non-factor, 2 ppg, 29% FG%
C 6-8 Jr. Demond Robinson; big man - 264 pounds; Murray State transfer; leads team in rebounds and blocks; doesn't shoot the 3 (0 for 2 in college career)
The bench:
G 6-3 So. Kasen Jennings: 16 points against Belmont; 42% from 3; 90% from the line
F/C 6-7 Sr. Alex Peterson: not a scorer -- 2.5 ppg; 0-4 in his career from 3
G 6-1 Jamir Moultrie: NCCU transfer; 12 points in 13 minutes (3 for 3 from deep) against Iowa State; injured; played briefly against Belmont, his status for tomorrow has not been announced
The Takeaway: KP projects a 78-63 WF win. Kennesaw is an improving program that has played two teams rated higher than WF (#64 Creighton and #61 Belmont), and managed to stay competitive in both games (Belmont was eventually able to stretch the lead). Looks like KSU will adopt whatever tempo that their opponent plays as they played fast paced games against Iowa State and Belmont, and then played a half court game against Creighton. The key to the margin of victory will be turnovers. WF has been effective at forcing TOs (the Deacs are #18 in the nation in defensive TO%), while KSU has struggled to take care of the ball (#252 in offensive TO%). If the Deacs can force TOs, Deacs should win and cover; if KSU can avoid giving up easy baskets and slow the pace of the game, the Owls may stay within striking distance. Also, WF holds size advantages at every spot on the floor and KSU has struggled to defend the paint, allowing D-1 opponents to shoot 62% from 2 against them; WF needs to take the ball to the basket rather than settle for jump shots. A little concerned about a stale effort as WF is now playing its 5th straight weak foe at home and the team may be looking ahead to a set of very tough and more high-profile games after KSU. The best news about this game: WF finally has a game that is available on the ACCN - not ESPN+ or ACCNX; this game will be broadcast on the conference's network. Hooray.
The Coach: In his third season, Amir Abdur-Rahim leads the Owls into Winston. If that name sounds familiar, his brother is Shareef Abdur-Rahim (former 13 year NBA player and current President of the G League). Amir and Shareef are two of 12 kids in the Abdur-Rahim family -- Atlanta Basketball Royalty (6 Abdur-Rahim brothers played college basketball). Amir replaced former BC coach Al Skinner when he took the Kennesaw State job in 2019. Amir inherited a hot mess as KSU went 1-28 in 2020 (#352). The Owls improved to 5-19 (#335) last year, and played the best basketball to end last season. This year, KSU returns 94% of its minutes from last season (#22 in the NCAA), and added a couple of transfers. The Owls are projected to finish in the bottom half of the Atlantic Sun conference (the conference that Liberty dominates). Prior to KSU, Amir assisted under Tom Crean at UGA and Billy Kennedy at Texas A&M.
The Owls 2021-22: The #279 Owls bring a 2-3 record to Tuesday game, but those two KSU wins were over Piedmont and Carver -- non-D1 teams. While the Owls are 0-3 in their games against D-1 teams, Kennesaw has generally played competitive tilts to open the season. KSU started the year with a 84-73 loss at #111 Iowa State, and followed that game with a 51-44 rock fight at #64 Creighton (the Owls led 24-22 at the half). After dominating two non-D1 teams, this past Friday, the Owls dropped a 97-78 contest to #61 Belmont. To date, KSU has struggled offensively (#304 in offensive efficiency), but the Owls have been proficient at the foul line (#60 in FTA per FGA and #55 in FT% - 77%). Other than taking advantage from the foul line, the offense can't put the ball in the basket (28% from 3 -- #271; 43% from 2 - #288; 42.6% effective FG% - #306). Up until the Belmont game, the Owls defense (#237 in KP defensive efficiency) had been solid, including holding Creighton to .77 points per possession, and 1 for 19 from 3. Belmont played a flawless offensive game to beat KSU last Friday (60% from 2; 40% from 3; 92% from the line; 22 assists/9 TOs). After WF, Kennesaw plays the Deacs' most recent opponent, Charleston Southern, on Sunday.
KSU Lineup:
The starters:
PG 5-10 Jr. Terrell Burden: 3rd year in the program; scored 21 against Iowa State and 19 against Belmont; struggles from 3: 15% for his career; 14% on the season
SG 6-4 Sr. Spencer Rodgers: Started at Troy; leads KSU in scoring and three point attempts; shot 36% from 3 last year, but only 3 for 16 this year
G/F 6-4 So. Chris Youngblood: 12 ppg against D1 teams; leads team in steals, 2nd in assists; 88% from the line
F 6-6 So. Brandon Stroud: offensive non-factor, 2 ppg, 29% FG%
C 6-8 Jr. Demond Robinson; big man - 264 pounds; Murray State transfer; leads team in rebounds and blocks; doesn't shoot the 3 (0 for 2 in college career)
The bench:
G 6-3 So. Kasen Jennings: 16 points against Belmont; 42% from 3; 90% from the line
F/C 6-7 Sr. Alex Peterson: not a scorer -- 2.5 ppg; 0-4 in his career from 3
G 6-1 Jamir Moultrie: NCCU transfer; 12 points in 13 minutes (3 for 3 from deep) against Iowa State; injured; played briefly against Belmont, his status for tomorrow has not been announced
The Takeaway: KP projects a 78-63 WF win. Kennesaw is an improving program that has played two teams rated higher than WF (#64 Creighton and #61 Belmont), and managed to stay competitive in both games (Belmont was eventually able to stretch the lead). Looks like KSU will adopt whatever tempo that their opponent plays as they played fast paced games against Iowa State and Belmont, and then played a half court game against Creighton. The key to the margin of victory will be turnovers. WF has been effective at forcing TOs (the Deacs are #18 in the nation in defensive TO%), while KSU has struggled to take care of the ball (#252 in offensive TO%). If the Deacs can force TOs, Deacs should win and cover; if KSU can avoid giving up easy baskets and slow the pace of the game, the Owls may stay within striking distance. Also, WF holds size advantages at every spot on the floor and KSU has struggled to defend the paint, allowing D-1 opponents to shoot 62% from 2 against them; WF needs to take the ball to the basket rather than settle for jump shots. A little concerned about a stale effort as WF is now playing its 5th straight weak foe at home and the team may be looking ahead to a set of very tough and more high-profile games after KSU. The best news about this game: WF finally has a game that is available on the ACCN - not ESPN+ or ACCNX; this game will be broadcast on the conference's network. Hooray.
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