Game Notes
One thing is for certain: McKendree likes to shoot 3-pointers.
The Bearcats (7-12, 1-8 Great Lakes Valley Conference) have shot a total of 445 3-pointers this season — 140 more than its opponents this season.
What makes it even tougher for No. 18 Kentucky Wesleyan (14-3, 6-3 GLVC), which takes on the Bearcats at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sportscenter, is how deep McKendree is in its ability to shoot the 3.
"They've got a lot of guys that can shoot the 3," coach Todd Lee said. "They can get hot. Even the 6-8 guy (Matt Murphy) has shot 94 3s on the year. They've been to the line 130 more times than opponents, too. They've got a skilled players 1-through-5. They're going to push the ball. They can spread you out and play four out, one in."
Just because they shoot a lot of 3s doesn't mean they always go in, though.
McKendree is making just 36 percent on 3-pointers this year which ranks just ninth in the GLVC.
The only other team similar to McKendree that KWC has faced is Maryville, which has shot a total of 447 3-pointers this season.
The Panther held the Saints to 7-of-30 shooting on 3s in an 83-53 win on Jan. 3.
If McKendree wants to get in a 3-point shooting contest with the Panthers, it'll have to do it against the top 3-point shooting team in the conference.
KWC's 41.7 percent on 3-pointers ranks first in the GLVC. But, given his team's three-game losing streak, Lee knows better than to overlook any opponent, especially a McKendree team that holds opponents to 29.4 percent on 3-point attempts.
"They've also can post up some of their guys," Lee said. "They've got some guys that they'll throw the ball to inside. It's not just one or two guys. They've got four guys that can really shoot it. We've got to do a good job on close outs…these guys can shoot it from NBA range."
The Bearcats are led by two of the GLVC's top three scorers. Junior guard Clinton Happe averages 18.3 points per game (second in the GLVC) and shoots 43 percent on 3-pointers. Senior guard John Steppe averages 17.8 points per game, which ranks third in the GLVC.
KWC will be looking to break out of a funk against a team that's in one of its own. McKendree has lost its last seven games.
The Panthers should be at full strength on Thursday. Senior guard
Kreig Oxley reinjured his toe last Saturday at Wisconsin-Parkside, but Lee said he'll be ready to go. Freshman guard
Lucas Barker played through flu-like symptoms on Saturday, but he too should be good to go.
It was Oxford's second toe injury this season, although Lee said he wasn't sure if it was the same toe that caused Oxley problems before.
Lee said Oxley's veteran presence is vital for a young team trying to snap out of a losing skid.
"He's a tough kid, a coach's son, wants to play," Lee said. "He gets by, or he succeeds, because he's smart and tough. He's not the greatest athlete but he knows the game, and he's a tough man. Bouncing back from injuries, that's what he does.
"He's one of our leaders and he needs to be out there for us to be successful."
