Game Notes
Once again, Kentucky Wesleyan will be taking the court after a lengthy break.
The No. 13 Panthers (5-0) face NAIA No. 8 Lindsey Wilson (12-1) after nine-day layoff at 3:15 p.m. Saturday at the Sportscenter.
The players dealt with final exams during the time off, but coach Todd Lee said they still had to remain focused on basketball as well and keep the practices filled with energy.
"It's always as hard," Lee said of balancing basketball and final exam week. "But it has to be the same. During finals weeks there are always some guys that are tired or distracted. It's not quite the same. I understand that, but we don't back off."
KWC come into this game as one of the hottest teams statistically in the nation.
The Panthers' offensive output of 88.2 points per game ranks 11th in the country, their 54.4 field goal percentage ranks second and their 46.2 3-point percentage is tied for first.
Individually, senior forward Dazmond Starke ranks first in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in rebounds (9.2) and field goal percentage (74.2 percent).
The Panthers will still be without senior guards Cornbread Walker and Kreig Oxley. Walker will be out for at least three to four weeks, if not more, with a partially torn ligament in his ankle.
Oxley is still dealing turf toe, and Lee said there doesn't seem to be much progress in terms of healing. Oxley dressed for KWC's last game against Kentucky State and played significant minutes during the Glenn Young Invitational while dealing with the same injury. Lee said he hasn't been able to move much at all lately.
"He's not in good shape," Lee said. "He's having an MRI (Friday night). He hasn't been able to practice at all. He's not going to be able to go. We're not sure how long it's gonna take. It doesn't seem to be getting better. Once the get the MRI results (Friday night), we'll get a better feel for it. He just can't go."
KWC will match up with a team that's held its own this season, albeit in a lower league than KWC. Still, the Blue Raiders boast two starters that are listed a 6-foot-7 and three starters that average in double figures.
Senior guard DeAntra Scott comes off the bench but still leads the team in scoring at 14.8 points per game.
Senior guard Kalen Kimberland chips in 11.1 points per game. He also makes things happen offensively, dishing out a team-high 4.5 assists per game while also pulling down 3.7 rebounds per game.
As a team, the Blue Raiders are averaging 88.3 points per game but are holding opponents to 60.3 points per game.
"They've got a lot of guys that are back from last year that are back from a very successful team," Lee said. "They're one of the best teams in the NAIA division — a veteran group. They're pretty much the ideal team in that they have a point guard that runs the show, a two guard can really shoot it. They're leading scorer comes off the bench. They've got an athletic post player that can score inside."
KWC beat Lindsey Wilson 79-61 at home last season with what Lee said is mostly the same squad.
"When I look at the box score from last year's game, they return everybody but one," he said. "They're a very good team. With the guys we've got out, it makes it more of a test."
