MILLERSVILLE VS. KUTZTOWN |
|---|
| Millersville Marauders
2014-15 Record: 12-11, 8-9 PSAC
Coach: Fred Thompson, 17th season
Roster | Schedule | Statistics |
| Kutztown Golden Bears
2014-15 Record: 14-9, 11-6 PSAC
Coach: Bernie Driscoll, 15th season
Roster | Schedule | Statistics |
| Game Information
Date: Feb. 7, 2015 | Start Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Millersville, Pa. (Pucillo Gymnasium)
Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Video
Twitter | Instagram | #HoistTheColors
Series Information
Series vs. KU: 130-73
Series Streak: KU, 1
First Meeting: 1904 (Ville 54, KU 14)
Last Meeting: 2014 (KU 82, Ville 71)
Last 10: 5-5
Fred Thompson vs. KU: 18-15
Bernie Driscoll vs. Millersville: 15-15 |
Complete Game Notes (.PDF)GAME OVERVIEW• Since starting the season 1-3, Kutztown is 13-6 and its last two losses came in overtime and its last three have been by a total of six points. Kutztown has lost only one game to a team with a losing record. Kutztown can clinch a PSAC Tournament berth with a win but it certainly has more lofty goals in mind. The Golden Bears trail division-leading East Stroudsburg by just one game and is just one game in front of West Chester for the coveted first-round bye. Millersville sits a half-game behind Shippensburg for the No. 4 seed. That spot is important as a first-round home game comes with it.
• The key to Kutztown's success is an efficient offense that ranks third in the PSAC in shooting percentage at 47.6 percent, sixth in 3-point field goal percentage at 35.5 percent and third in assist/turnover ratio. In the first meeting of the season, Kutztown shot 55.6 percent from the field and placed five players in double figures. That was the highest mark shot against Millersville this season. Kutztown has shot over 42 percent in each of the last 10 games and in all but three games. Millersville, meanwhile, has become one of the top defensive clubs in the league in recent weeks, holding two consecutive opponents to fewer than 60 points including East Stroudsburg to its lowest point output since 2012. Millersville has held six of its last eight opponents to under 40 percent shooting and to an average of 37.1 percent from the field, 28.1 percent from three and to 66.0 points per game in the 6-2 stretch. The Marauders have also forced 140 turnovers compared to 95 assists for the opponents in that eight-game span.
• Millersville is an especially stingy defensive team in Pucillo Gymnasium. It is allowing 69.9 points per game, 39.1 percent shooting from the field and 29.8 percent shooting from three with a 9-3 record. The Marauders are also out-rebounding opponents 39.2-38.7 at home. In comparison, the Marauders allow 45.4 percent shooting, 73.4 points per game and are out-rebounded 41.0-30.4 on the road.
• While Millersville has held its last two opponents under 60, it won't be easy shutting down a Kutztown offense that has scored 70-plus points in all but six games. Kutztown is 2-4 when failing to score 70 and Millersville is 8-0 when holding opponents below that point total. Millersville is also 10-0 when shooting a higher percentage than its opponents. Millersville is 10-5 when blocking at least three shots.
• Kutztown's 82-71 win in December snapped Millersville's five-game winning streak over the Golden Bears. That was the longest Millersville streak in the series since winning nine in a row from 1998-2003. Four of the last five games have been decided by single digits and two have reached overtime. With 205 previous meetings, Millersville has played Kutztown more than any other opponent. With the exception of the years during World War II and 1907-08, the programs have met at least twice each season since 1904-05.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT• Kutztown finished the 2013-14 season 10-17 but the return of a healthy Tyler Brooks, who played just six games last season, and the addition of California (Pa.) transfer Tynell Fortune, the Bears are in the running for a PSAC East title. Fortune led the Vulcans in scoring in 2013-14 and he is doing the same for the Bears, averaging 16.0 points per game, which ranks seventh in the PSAC. Brooks does everything for the Bears, leading the team in blocks and assists while ranking second in rebounding. He is the only player in the league to rank in the top 20 in both categories.
