Basketball: Wichita State @ Northern Iowa (Pre-game)

The Shockers will face UNI tonight in Cedar Falls, Iowa, hoping to get their first conference win of the season. WSU started off the conference season with a loss at Creighton, 68-56 and then dropped a home game to Bradley on New Years Eve. Northern Iowa picked up their first win Wednesday night against SIU after dropping their opener to Indiana State 85-84 in double overtime.

THE HISTORY

• WSU is 16-20 all-time against the Panthers.
• Gregg Marshall is 0-2 against UNI.
• WSU has never won in the McLeod Center.
  

SCOUTING THE NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS

7'1 center Jordan Eglseder leads the Panthers in scoring, averaging 11.5 per ball game. Eglseder also leads the team in rebounds averaging a solid 7.3 per game. Ali Farokhmanesh and Johnny Moran lead the team in three point shooting. Kwadzo Ahelegbe leads the team with 3.5 assists. The UNI website doesn't have a stats page so therefore I won't be able to give out overall team statistics for the Panthers. Northern Iowa overall is a very good free-throw shooting team so the Shox will need to limit their fouls.

MATCH-UPS

Point Guard: Clevin Hannah (5'11, 155) will match-up against Ali Farokhmanesh (6'0, 190). Farokhmanesh can hit the long ball.
Shooting Guard: Toure' Murry (6'3, 185) will match-up against Johnny Moran (6'1, 185). Toure' needs to use his height and length to his advantage.
Small Forward: AJ Hawkins (6'5, 202) will match-up against Kwadzo Ahelegbe (6'2, 195). Kwadzo can dish the ball well.
Power Forward: Ramon Clemente (6'6, 220) will match-up against Adam Koch (6'8, 245). Ramon knows Mr. Koch well.
Center: Garrett Stutz (7'0, 235) will match-up against Jordan Eglseder (7'1, 280). Garrett needs to win this match-up.

BREAK OUT PLAYER - DAVID KYLES

It seems David is do for a break-out game after being very silent for the past few games. UNI plays smaller guards so he might be able to get into the lane and create some buckets. Mr. Kyles has shown flashes of brilliance during games against Florida A&M and Georgetown but hasn't shown much since. Look for him to score anywhere from 4 to 10 points, that would be a very successful night and would add a nice confidence boost to the young freshman. (0 for 4 on break-out players)

SUMMARY

The key to this game will be who controls the low blocks. Garrett and Ramon will have to handle good UNI post players Adam Koch and Jordan Eglseder. Ramon needs to stay out of foul trouble early and lead this team on both ends of the court by grabbing rebounds and making layups and free throws. Garrett needs to limit Eglseder's touches and make sure he doesn't give him open layups. Otherwise I think our guards can do very well against this group from Northern Iowa. The Shox need to keep the Panthers away from the line because if they get there too often the game will be over. Even the 7'1 center shoots 80% from the free-throw line. Most importantly though, the Shox bench needs to come alive. So far in Valley play the bench has been dormant, guys like JT Durley, Reggie Chamberlain, David Kyles, and Mantas Griskenas need to have good games. This game is very tough to call but I think the Shox are bound for a win.

PREDICTION: WSU 63, UNI 62.