Game notes
The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team got the 2014-15 season off to a quick start with a two-game sweep on its Ohio weekend road trip, but coach Happy Osborne thinks his squad may face the biggest challenge the entire season as early as Wednesday night.
The Panthers (2-0) open the home portion of their schedule in a 7:30 p.m. tilt against Northwood at the Sportscenter with the task of slowing down a pair of high-scoring Timberwolves guards.
"He's obviously one of the top point guards in the country, and he has a good running mate," Osborne said.
"We have got to come out ready, and we've got to play at a high level of intensity. We're about our defense. We're as good as our defense is. Our depth has been a factor with different people stepping up. We're a work in progress, but our guys are grinding."
The Panthers held their two previous opponents to 62.5 points per contest on 42-percent shooting from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range, but Osborne said he'd like to see an improvement against Northwood.
"We have to be great defensively," he said. "Jones can beat you by himself, that's no lie or exaggeration. He could end up being the best guy we play, so we've got to do a great job there.
"More than anything, at the end of the day, no matter how inconsistent we are, if we can get our deflection numbers and our field-goal numbers to 40 deflections and 39-percent from the field -- that's what I like."
Offensively, the Panthers are led by sophomore guard Ken-Jah Bosley's 16.2 points per game, while junior forward C.J. Blackwell (12 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and junior guard Marcus Fillyaw (11.5 ppg) have contributed in complimentary roles in their first year with KWC.
Blackwell scored a game-high 20 points against Tiffin, but Tre Boutilier, Hikeem Stewart and Patrick Neel led the team with 12 points each in an off night for KWC's starters against Wayne State.
"I like our depth where everybody can play and be a factor, but I'd also like to have three, four, five people contribute consistently," Osborne said. "I want to play 11 people, I'm not afraid of doing that. I don't want to platoon, and I'd like to get a little more consistent, but at the end of the day what I want is maximum effort and everybody striving for the same thing."
Osborne also stressed the importance of having an advantage with what he hopes is a Sportscenter filled with Panthers supporters for the team's home opener.
"We need them," he said. "I feel like our kids are reaching out and giving back to the community, and we need this community. I do think there will be a day when you go in there and see a sign that says there aren't any seats left. I do think we can pack the Sportscenter. I hope and I'm counting on an excellent crowd, because we need them."
