Underpreview: Delaware vs. Kansas State University
Published: Monday, November 19, 2012
Updated: Monday, November 19, 2012 18:11
Men’s Basketball
Time: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.
About the teams:
About Delaware: The Hens are 2-1 and coming off their first victory over an ACC opponent in 50 years when the team defeated Virginia, 59-53. With the win, Delaware advances to the semifinals of the NIT season tip-off. Junior guard Devon Saddler led the Hens with 15 points, all of which came in the second half.
About Kansas State: The Wildcats are 3-0 and advanced to the semifinals after defeating University of Alabama-Huntsville, 87-26. Kansas State sits in first place on the Big 12 and is led by sophomore guard Angel Rodriguez, who averages 14 points per game.
Why the Hens can win:
Senior forward Jamelle Hagins leads the Hens with 12.3 rebounds per game and the Hens will need to control the boards against a KSU team that is sixth in the nation with 47.7 rebounds per game. Delaware carries a lot of momentum into the contest after their win over Virginia and will rely on Saddler, who averages 16 points per game and sophomore guard Jarvis Threatt, who averages 14.3 points per game to lead the Hens offensively.
Why the Hens could lose:
Kansas State is led by Rodriguez and junior guard Will Spradling, who averages just over 11 points per game. Kansas State is sixth in the nation and rebounding and chooses to do so by committee, with no player averaging double digit rebounds on the season.
The numbers:
0: Number of games played by the Hens at Madison Square Garden.
168th to 30th: Hens points per game ranking versus Kansas State’s.
12.3 to 7.0: Delaware’s top rebounder’s average per game, Hagins, versus Kansas State’s top rebounder D.J. Johnson.
The prediction:
Delaware will carry the momentum of beating Virginia into the game but Kansas State’s offense will prove to be too much for the Hens, unless they can control the boards. If the Hens can overcome the excitement of playing in The Garden and settle down early they can keep it close, but Kansas State’s big game experience will give them the edge.
Delaware 56
Wildcats 82
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