Tip-off: Tuesday, 4pm, Legacy Center, Lake Charles, LA
TV: ESPN+
Line: Torvik- McNeese -5.8, 72% win probability; ESPN- 76% win probability, no line yet.
McNeese St.
The Cowboys are 4-3 (3-3 vs. D1) and are coming off a loss to Liberty in the title game of the Paradise Jam after wins over Illinois St. and Longwood. McNeese’s best win is over North Texas and other losses are to Alabama and S. Dakota St.
Starters:
- 6-5 wing Brandon Murray (7.9pts, 25% from 3)
- 6-6 forward Christian Shumate (9.6pts, 5rebs, 1.4 blocks, 35% from 3)
- 6-7 forward Joe Charles (6.7pts, 6rebs, 2 steals, 30% from 3)
- 6-3 guard Javohn Garcia (11.pts, 2.4 rebs, 39% from 3)
- 6-0 guard Omar Cooper (2.2pts, 4.2 assists)
- 6th man- 6-3 guard Sincere Parker (16.9 pts, 25% from 3)
Leading scorer Alyn Breed has not played their last several games.
The Cowboys are a small but athletic group. Their ‘big guys’ are 6-7 Charles and 6-6 Shumate. Their lack of size leads to poor rebounding #'s especially at their defensive end. With Breed out, 6th man Sincere Parker has been their best scorer and put up 31pts vs. Longwood and plays starter minutes.
The Cowboys attack the basket and have a high FT rate and shoot it 74%. The Broncos will be tested to stay in front of their man and limit dribble penetration.
The Broncos need to seize on the size advantage on both ends. On D, clear the glass and initiate their fast break. On Off, pound the glass for 2nd chance points.
We seem allergic to emphasizing post touches so I won’t hold my breath, but it would be nice to see Tilly and even O’Neil post up more. We’ve also seen Mahi back his guy down a few times this season; he’ll likely have a 6-3ish guy guarding him so this would be a great time to isolate him in the mid or low post and let him go to work, at 6-7, 220lbs he should have an advantage.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but it seems like this game is opportunity for Stewart to return home (Graves as well but he’s redshirting of course). As of now Torvik considers this a Quad 1 game as McNeese is ranked in the Top 75 and it’s a road game. That may change as the season progress but probably safe that this ends up at least a Quad II game so it’s an opportunity for the Broncos to secure a quality win.
Prediction: Carlos stays on a roll and leads the Broncos to a win in his home state, 77-71.