Game Notes
The end of the regular season is in sight, and postseason basketball looms on the horizon.
But for Kentucky Wesleyan, a berth in the NCAA Tournament is anything but a lock at this point. After two road wins last week, including one over No. 12 Indianapolis, the Panthers face another hefty challenge on Saturday when Bellarmine visits.€
First, coach Todd Lee said he has to make sure his team is mindful of the proverbial trap game.
The Panthers travel to McKendree on Thursday, a team riding a 13-game losing streak, in hopes of continuing their momentum heading into the end of the season. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.
"We'll prepare for McKendree just like it's the biggest game of the year — the same way we prepare for every game," Lee said. "Everything is the exact same — our mindset, how we need to prepare for practice."
The game holds particular importance for KWC. The first of three NCAA Midwest Regional Rankings were released on Wednesday and the Panthers debuted at No. 9 — on the outside looking in when it comes to a tournament berth. Only the top eight make the tournament.
Needless to say, every win is important for KWC (17-6, 9-6 Great Lakes Valley Conference) at this point.
But that's not the only reason Lee is remaining focused on McKendree (7-18, 1-14 GLVC).
"As a coach, you always look at ways teams could beat you, or ways things that could give you trouble," he said. "I always look at their scores and their scores are always close at home. They're staying in games, and if they can stay in games, they've got enough guys that can score the ball."
KWC has benefited from solid play from walk-on James Herzog, who scored a career-high 16 points and had the game-winning free throw against Indianapolis on Saturday.
Lee said with junior Donovan Johnson struggling, the Daviess County High School alum will continue to start while he's hot.
The Panthers are 2-0 this season when he starts.
"What he does is he knows where everybody should be on the floor," Lee said. "There's times he'll say something to me about, 'Do you want us to do that or how do you want us.' To be honest, he knows our system really well, offensively and defensively. He knows it better than anybody.
