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The Colonels of Eastern Kentucky (5-4) are in Minnesota to the take on the Gophers at noon CT on Saturday, December 11. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network – imagine that, the nationally ranked Gophers actually on the BTN.
The Team
EKU is the least concerning opponent on our schedule for the remainder of the year. They have 10 guys on their roster that are either freshman or did not play in Richmond, KY last year… but, there is a decent core of veterans. This team has outscored their opponents by more than 12 points per game on average; however, two of those games were against non D-1 squads that are beyond poor (resulting in 91-27 and 95-45 wins, respectively). Exclude those two games and EKU, on average, is being outscored. The Colonels were picked to finish 5th in the Ohio Valley Conference.
EKU likes to shoot the three ball and were ranked in the top 15 nationally for 3fg % a year ago. They aren’t shooting it quite as much as last year, but when they do they’re hitting at a 40% clip… not to mention, the team has made at least 5 three pointers in 28 consecutive games. However, break down the 40% between the 2 creampuff games vs. the 7 others and the 3fg %s are 54.8% and 35.4%, respectively. If you don’t play defense, they will knock down shots. The Gophers should look to break the 5 treys minimum per game streak on Saturday.
The Colonels lack much size and will likely go with a 6’8” 240 freshman and a 6’6” 200 senior as their ‘inside guys’ to start the game.
You'll see the influence of John Beilein in their play - lots of guys moving all around the perimeter, backdoor cuts, lots of threes... and, EKU will switch up defenses -- after makes, they like to go into a 1-3-1 trapping defense. Instead of banging the boards, EKU's tendency is to head back and get ready to d up after misses. The Gophers giving up up many offensive boards would be inexcusable. I'm looking forward to seeing how certain of the young guards for the Gophers handle the 1-3-1 when we're on offense.. similarly, how will our very-big bigs deal with the offensive sets of EKU? Overall, we should be fine, but I do expect a few backdoor cuts that get me to yell out, 'c'mon, guys! what the golly heck' (or something worse).
Minnesota needs to keep EKU off the foul line and make them earn points by shooting tough shots from the field. Gophers by 22.
The Players
Perrin, Stommes and Daniel are the key guys I’m am focused on. Allgood could make me livid if we leave him open.
#32 Spencer Perrin
This is my guy to watch for when it comes to athleticism. He is a 6’6” senior forward that spent two years at Lake Land College (Ill). Probably their best defender and a guy that does it all – he’ll score, grab boards and dish out assists. The confidence is rising and Perrin is coming off an 8/8 performance from the field. He won’t be one of the guys knocking them down from the outside, but will make his mark on this game unless he finds himself in foul trouble, which he is prone to. (28.2 mpg, 12.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 59.7 fg%). The kid is fun to watch.
#31 Justin Stommes (STUMM-ES)
6’7” senior guard from Cold Spring, MN - played at Rocori, who went to the quarterfinals of the ’06 tourney. Stommes was held out of the first three games this season due to being naughty. He’s still getting into form but could be poised for a strong showing in the Twin Cities. He’s a four year starter who shoots 42% from three-point range. Threes make up more than half of his shot attempts. (in 6 games, 26.2 mpg, 8.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 47.5 fg%, 42.1 3fg%). Can be a little Ralph-like.. not always a lot of go get 'em aggressiveness... but he's solid.
#24 Jeff Johnson
This 6’8” 240 lbs freshman out of Champaign, IL is a big oaf that doesn’t do a lot. With the lack of size on this team, though, he has been starting and putting in work for about 20 mpg. He’ll grab several rebounds, maybe make a shot or two, turn it over a couple of times, and foul the hell out of Minnesota. Jeff is only 18, but his sister is 30.
#22 Josh Daniel
Josh was a 2006 kid (redshirted in 2008-09). Decent size at 6’5”, 205, this senior has been playing like one. Coming into this season, he averaged 4.3 points for his career, shooting 31% from three… (threes make up ~60% of his shot attempts). This season, Daniel is averaging 11.9 ppg and knocking down 41% of his shots from long distance. If we’re not careful, he could catch fire. (24.2 mpg, 11.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 11 stl, 56.7 fg% including 75% from inside the arc [21/28].. 40.6% 3fg%)
#5 Joshua Jones
6’4 Jr. guard out of Warren Central (IN)… he can play some D and will toss it in from deep (shooting 44% this year). Jones is averaging 10 ppg this year (8.5 ppg for his career). (26.9 mpg, 10.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 to/g)
#10 Devin McDonald
This 6’1 Sr. guard will see a good deal of time at the point. He played last year at the University of New Orleans, but is eligible to play for EKU without sitting out a transfer year because of New Orleans’ status (moving down from D1 to D3). Nothing special, but you’ll see him out there.
#1 Willie Cruz
Willie is a 6’4” sophomore guard. Averaging 9.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg, he has stepped it up this year. Despite his size, Cruz can get in there for the board and mix it up a little. Not a three-point threat, but can get his points inside the circle. (21.3 mpg, 8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.9 apg)
#41 Taylor Filipek
Freshman… 6’6, 220” lbs, from Willmar, MN. He has played sparingly thus far (1.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, in 8.0 mpg… 6 appearances off the bench), but I would expect him to get a chance to play in his home state on Saturday.
#12 Jabs Newby
This dude has a cool nickname (real name isn’t so impressive – Jabulani) and a sister that is 34 (Jabs is just 19). Will she be at the game is the question… anyway, he prepped for two years at Mountain State Academy (Deniz Kilicli, the big West VA kid played with him there), but is originally from Ontario. He has played with Maurice Walker, including a stint with talented Team Takeover. Just a freshman, he’s appeared in 6 contests and averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 10.8 mpg.
#20 Jeff Allgood
6’2” Jr. guard was at Iowa Western CC last year and shot 40.5 3fg% there. He is a gunner. He will get floor time and he will shoot the trey. Certainly capable of draining a couple in this game. Do not let him settle into the corner - he can get it off quickly.
PS - after the Gophers game, consider watching the second half of Marquette vs. Wisconsin on ESPN2 (1:30pm CT start time).
The Team
EKU is the least concerning opponent on our schedule for the remainder of the year. They have 10 guys on their roster that are either freshman or did not play in Richmond, KY last year… but, there is a decent core of veterans. This team has outscored their opponents by more than 12 points per game on average; however, two of those games were against non D-1 squads that are beyond poor (resulting in 91-27 and 95-45 wins, respectively). Exclude those two games and EKU, on average, is being outscored. The Colonels were picked to finish 5th in the Ohio Valley Conference.
EKU likes to shoot the three ball and were ranked in the top 15 nationally for 3fg % a year ago. They aren’t shooting it quite as much as last year, but when they do they’re hitting at a 40% clip… not to mention, the team has made at least 5 three pointers in 28 consecutive games. However, break down the 40% between the 2 creampuff games vs. the 7 others and the 3fg %s are 54.8% and 35.4%, respectively. If you don’t play defense, they will knock down shots. The Gophers should look to break the 5 treys minimum per game streak on Saturday.
The Colonels lack much size and will likely go with a 6’8” 240 freshman and a 6’6” 200 senior as their ‘inside guys’ to start the game.
You'll see the influence of John Beilein in their play - lots of guys moving all around the perimeter, backdoor cuts, lots of threes... and, EKU will switch up defenses -- after makes, they like to go into a 1-3-1 trapping defense. Instead of banging the boards, EKU's tendency is to head back and get ready to d up after misses. The Gophers giving up up many offensive boards would be inexcusable. I'm looking forward to seeing how certain of the young guards for the Gophers handle the 1-3-1 when we're on offense.. similarly, how will our very-big bigs deal with the offensive sets of EKU? Overall, we should be fine, but I do expect a few backdoor cuts that get me to yell out, 'c'mon, guys! what the golly heck' (or something worse).
Minnesota needs to keep EKU off the foul line and make them earn points by shooting tough shots from the field. Gophers by 22.
The Players
Perrin, Stommes and Daniel are the key guys I’m am focused on. Allgood could make me livid if we leave him open.
#32 Spencer Perrin
This is my guy to watch for when it comes to athleticism. He is a 6’6” senior forward that spent two years at Lake Land College (Ill). Probably their best defender and a guy that does it all – he’ll score, grab boards and dish out assists. The confidence is rising and Perrin is coming off an 8/8 performance from the field. He won’t be one of the guys knocking them down from the outside, but will make his mark on this game unless he finds himself in foul trouble, which he is prone to. (28.2 mpg, 12.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 59.7 fg%). The kid is fun to watch.
#31 Justin Stommes (STUMM-ES)
6’7” senior guard from Cold Spring, MN - played at Rocori, who went to the quarterfinals of the ’06 tourney. Stommes was held out of the first three games this season due to being naughty. He’s still getting into form but could be poised for a strong showing in the Twin Cities. He’s a four year starter who shoots 42% from three-point range. Threes make up more than half of his shot attempts. (in 6 games, 26.2 mpg, 8.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 47.5 fg%, 42.1 3fg%). Can be a little Ralph-like.. not always a lot of go get 'em aggressiveness... but he's solid.
#24 Jeff Johnson
This 6’8” 240 lbs freshman out of Champaign, IL is a big oaf that doesn’t do a lot. With the lack of size on this team, though, he has been starting and putting in work for about 20 mpg. He’ll grab several rebounds, maybe make a shot or two, turn it over a couple of times, and foul the hell out of Minnesota. Jeff is only 18, but his sister is 30.
#22 Josh Daniel
Josh was a 2006 kid (redshirted in 2008-09). Decent size at 6’5”, 205, this senior has been playing like one. Coming into this season, he averaged 4.3 points for his career, shooting 31% from three… (threes make up ~60% of his shot attempts). This season, Daniel is averaging 11.9 ppg and knocking down 41% of his shots from long distance. If we’re not careful, he could catch fire. (24.2 mpg, 11.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 11 stl, 56.7 fg% including 75% from inside the arc [21/28].. 40.6% 3fg%)
#5 Joshua Jones
6’4 Jr. guard out of Warren Central (IN)… he can play some D and will toss it in from deep (shooting 44% this year). Jones is averaging 10 ppg this year (8.5 ppg for his career). (26.9 mpg, 10.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.0 to/g)
#10 Devin McDonald
This 6’1 Sr. guard will see a good deal of time at the point. He played last year at the University of New Orleans, but is eligible to play for EKU without sitting out a transfer year because of New Orleans’ status (moving down from D1 to D3). Nothing special, but you’ll see him out there.
#1 Willie Cruz
Willie is a 6’4” sophomore guard. Averaging 9.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg, he has stepped it up this year. Despite his size, Cruz can get in there for the board and mix it up a little. Not a three-point threat, but can get his points inside the circle. (21.3 mpg, 8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.9 apg)
#41 Taylor Filipek
Freshman… 6’6, 220” lbs, from Willmar, MN. He has played sparingly thus far (1.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, in 8.0 mpg… 6 appearances off the bench), but I would expect him to get a chance to play in his home state on Saturday.
#12 Jabs Newby
This dude has a cool nickname (real name isn’t so impressive – Jabulani) and a sister that is 34 (Jabs is just 19). Will she be at the game is the question… anyway, he prepped for two years at Mountain State Academy (Deniz Kilicli, the big West VA kid played with him there), but is originally from Ontario. He has played with Maurice Walker, including a stint with talented Team Takeover. Just a freshman, he’s appeared in 6 contests and averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 10.8 mpg.
#20 Jeff Allgood
6’2” Jr. guard was at Iowa Western CC last year and shot 40.5 3fg% there. He is a gunner. He will get floor time and he will shoot the trey. Certainly capable of draining a couple in this game. Do not let him settle into the corner - he can get it off quickly.
PS - after the Gophers game, consider watching the second half of Marquette vs. Wisconsin on ESPN2 (1:30pm CT start time).
