The Milwaukee Panthers will travel to the Nutter Center to take on the Wright State Raiders this Friday night in College Basketball action.
The Milwaukee Panthers lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 7-8 on the season after being defeated by the Northern Kentucky Norse, 79-65, this past Saturday. Milwaukee struggled on the boards against Northern Kentucky and could not fight back after the Norse took a 67-57 lead with 5:45 left in regulation. Milwaukee shot 48.1% from the field and 23.5% from beyond the arc while Northern Kentucky shot 48.2% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc. Milwaukee was outrebounded by Northern Kentucky by a 38-22 margin while both the Norse & Panthers committed 13 turnovers each. Leading the way for the Panthers was Josh Thomas who had 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, & 1 steal.
On the season, Milwaukee is averaging 72.4 ppg on 43.6% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 6.9 three-pointers per game on 31.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Milwaukee has been led by DeAndre Gholston (15.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.5 apg), Te’Jon Lucas (14.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.3 spg), Josh Thomas (9.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.0 spg), & Grant Coleman (6.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg).
Defensively, Milwaukee is allowing their opponents to average 72.5 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of -2.1 and a turnover margin of 1.7.
The Wright State Raiders won their 7th straight game and improved to 15-4 on the season after defeating the UIC Flames, 77-57, this past Saturday. Wright State was solid defensively against UIC and had no trouble pulling away in the 2nd half after taking a 59-44 lead with 7:45 left in regulation. Wright State shot 45.9% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc while UIC shot 40.4% from the field and 23.8% from beyond the arc. Wright State outrebounded UIC by a 38-29 margin while also winning the turnover battle by a 12-10 margin. Leading the way for the Raiders was Loudon Love who had a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, & 1 steal.
On the season, Wright State is averaging 81.0 ppg on 48.6% shooting from the field. The Raiders are averaging 7.2 three-pointers per game on 36.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Wright State has been led by Tanner Holden (16.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.5 apg), Loudon Love (15.8 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.4 bpg), Grant Basile (14.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 bpg), & Tim Finke (10.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.1 spg).
Defensively, Wright State is holding their opponents to an average of 63.6 ppg on 38.7% shooting from the field. The Raiders have a rebound margin of 9.9 and a turnover margin of -0.5.
The Panthers are 22-5 ATS in their last 27 games following a double-digit loss at home, however, are just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Raiders are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
Wright State is arguably the best team in the Horizon as they are strong both on the offense & defense sides of the ball, however, if the Raiders have one area of weakness it is that they can be a bit inconsistent as we have seen in losses earlier this season to Oakland & Youngstown State. Milwaukee has lost 6 of their last 8 games, however, they do have a nice win on the road against Cleveland State this season and have been solid in protecting the basketball as they rank 89th in turnover margin. Wright State should have no trouble winning this game, however, as Milwaukee has been strong on the road, posting a 5-4 record, I think the Panthers do enough with the points to get us a cover. Good Luck!
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
