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WMU GAME


Derrt

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We have to substitute regularly and keep guys on the floor when they are hot. WMU is rested but we have as much depth as anyone in the conference which means that, hopefully, we won't get as tired as quickly as most. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a little more of Kretzer tonight as well as some minutes for Kwan just to provide energy if it lags and to assure energy down the stretch of the game.

If we get through tonight and send the Broncos to the NIT, the tired factor levels out much more. I don't see a team playing three in three days having that huge of a disadvantage against a team playing two in two. A little disadvantage maybe but not as much as the one the Zips will face tonight.

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I don't see a team playing three in three days having that huge of a disadvantage against a team playing two in two. A little disadvantage maybe but not as much as the one the Zips will face tonight.

But six in eight days might - go EMU :)

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Not having Harney available and McAdams unknowingly playing with mono at WMU was the difference. The team is not intimidated by WMU. The Broncos are a good team, but they were the beneficiaries of MAC scheduling.

Western Michigan's schedule was arguably more difficult than the Zips. Their two crossover games were Miami and Ohio. and they played Toledo twice. They and the Zips both had EMU twice and NIU was probably as good as half the East. WMU is legit but the Zips have an excellent shot.

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Call me crazy, but I think the Zips win this one by 10+. "Rest" is overrated in the game of basketball, especially only coming off one extra game. I in fact think playing recently is an advantage, as chemistry and muscle memory is much sharper than after an extended break in action. Given that fact, the fact that we absolutely gave the game away last time in Kalamazoo, and our depth advantage, Zips take this one walking away.

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I like this matchup for us, since we played so well against them up there when we were shorthanded.

But, I hate the circumstances since we are playing a well-rested team.

By the way, does anyone else grasp the fact that we should have a HUGE homecourt advantage the rest of the way with OU and Can't being gone??

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The Zips defense will be important in this game as they are unlikely to shoot 60% from the field 2 games in a row. WMU is the only team that had 2 players (both seniors) on the All-MAC First Team, so you have to start with them. Guard David Brown averages 19.1 points per game and center Shayne Whittington 16.1. After them the next highest scorers average 11.8, 8.2, 6.4 and 3.6. With Brown and Whittington scoring about 50% of WMU's points, slowing one or both of them down would pay big dividends. The Zips have had spotty success slowing high-scoring guards, so great defense from Deji, Q and whoever else guards the 6-3 Brown would be a big plus.

The Zips are one of the few teams in the MAC who can throw 2 quality centers at Whittington. Big Dog and Pat both size up well against the 6-11, 250-pound Whittington. They don't have to stop him, but slowing him down and making him work hard for his points would help a lot. Connar Tava, a 6-5, 235-pound freshman forward is the wild card. Their 3rd leading scorer is an athletic player with a good inside game who shoots better than 60% from the field. Tree will most likely get most of the minutes guarding him as WMU's other primary forward is not a high percentage shooter or high scorer.

WMU is actually worse in turnover percentage than the Zips, and strong defensive pressure would help the Zips maintain that advantage. Despite having a dominant center, WMU is slightly below the national average in rebounding percentage. The Zips have an advantage in rebounding percentage, and maintaining that edge would be another key to winning this game.

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