Drexel is 15-12 overall and 9-6 in conference. UNCW is 20-7 overall and 10-4 in conference

Stats

#10 scoring 65.6 ppg(#5 UNCW 67.4 ppg)
#2 defense 62.5 ppg (#3 UNCW 63.5 ppg)
#6 FG% .437 (#3 UNCW .442)
#6 Opp FG% .427 (#8 UNCW .431)
#12 Three Pt% .302 (#9 UNCW .318)
#11 Opp Three pt % .361 (#2 UNCW .291)
#11 FT% .687 (#4 UNCW .752)
#4 Reb Diff +2.7 (#5 UNCW +2.3)
#10 TO Margin -.93(#6 UNCW + 1.14)
#9 Steals 5.27 game (#5 UNCW 6.86)

Starters 15 games

Williams - 6'10" 250lb Jr 28 min 13.8ppg 8.7 Reb 60 blks FG 51.9% FT 59.3% 60 assts, 80 TO's, 36 steals
Oden - 6'6" 215lb Jr 28 min 8.6 ppg 5.4 Reb FG .406(86-212) .314 Three(37-118)
House -6'4" 210lb Sr 26 min 8.3 ppg .464 FG(77-166) .382 Three(42-110)
Butler - 6'5" 205lb Soph 10 min 5.7 ppg .488FG(21-43) .438 Three(7-16)
Okros - 6'6" 215lb Sr 10 min 4.7ppg 3.4 reb .366FG(41-112) .352 Three(32-91)

Bench

Washington 6'4" 190lb RsSr 32 min 9.7ppg .383FG(92-240) .317 Three(44-139)
Turner 6'8" 225lb Soph 13 min 3.3ppg .561FG(32-57)
MGee 6'6" 180lb Fr 8 min 2.5 ppg .455 FG(20-45) .111 Three(1-11)


Although Drexel is one of the worst at making the three in the CAA, they attempt 40% of their shots from three. UNCW attempts 34% of their shots from three. Both teams rely on defense and both have medicore stats on offense. The good news is that UNCW is one of the best in the conference at defending the three and limiting three point attempts, but we have to be careful we dont get what we want and force Drexel to score in the paint.


The entire team is built around Williams. He leads the team in scoring, rebounding, FG%, blocked shots, steals and is second in assists. He also leads the team in FT attempts with more than twice as many as the next closest on the team. Unfortunately for Drexel he only shoots 59% from the FT line.

This sure seems like a game where foul prone Amari Kelly could get in trouble quickly and find himself on the bench for most of the game. When he's on the bench, UNCW struggles. We really don't have anyone besides Kelly who can come close to defending Williams or scoring against him. To make matters worse, Williams hasn't fouled out of a single game and hasn't committed more than two fouls in any conference game, so he's going to be on the court. It's a waste of time trying to get him in foul trouble.

This sure seems like a game where we would fare better if we really picked up the pace by ramping up the press and are intentional about getting out on the break and attacking the basket before the defense gets set. At 6'10" and 250 lbs we can outrun his defensive presence bet we won't be able to get around it in a half court set.

I have to hope our coaches see this as well but it's rare anyone scores more than 70 against Drexel. UNCW hasn't come up with a win in a must win game yet in conference play. So the question is can they go on the road and play with the confidence and intensity they need in a must win game?

I have a good feeling about this one after our last outing against NU as the Tra of old emerged and gave us the level of instensity we need to win. I also think this comes down to the FT line where UNCW is a better FT shooting team and will get to the line a lot.

Hawks - 69
Drags - 64