Date: January 7th, 2017
Time: 4:30 PM
Opponent: Mercer (7-9, 1-2 SoCon)
Place: Hawkins Arena
Television: none
Webcast: ESPN 3
Radio online:
640WXSM.com (Free)
Mercer 2016-2017
Schedule
Mercer 2016-2017
Roster
Mercer
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Ready to shut up Hoffman!
MERCER 7-9, 1-2:
1-2 in conference with road losses to Wofford and Furman and only a home win over a weak VMI was NOT the way that Mercer wanted to start. Following on a disappointing 6-7 out of conference record, albeit against a strong out of conference schedule, the Bears would really love to set things right by knocking the halo off Forbes and the soaring Bucs in front of the home fans.
ETSU’s slaughter of weak Savannah State, VMI and Citadel teams should not make us overconfident. This is our first game in a while against a team that puts some real talent on the floor.
The Mercer front court has rebounded strongly (+5.2) but despite excellent size has been disappointing. 6-10 250 5th year senior transfer J.J. N’ganga has been a bust, getting only 8.9 minutes, 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds. 7-1 Andrew Fishler, with 8.6 minutes 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds has not been much better. Most concerning has been 6-6 225 Jr. Stephon Jelks, who has just not lived up to his all-conference play of last year with 25.5 minutes, 7.3 points on only .444 from the field and 11-39 .282 from 3. 6-9 255 Rs-Jr Desmond Ringer is similar to Jelks with 25.5 minutes, 6.5 points and 5.8 rebounds and looks a little slow out there.
The guard corp scores well, but has a poor -2.0 turnover margin and only 2.1 steals to their opponent’s 5.1. Mercer does hold their opponents to .411 from the floor.
Part of the problem is that the guard corp, and Ria’n Holland in particular, tend to dominate the ball on offense. Holland has been the best newcomer in the SoCon (17.1 ppg, .383 from 3 with 2.9 makes) 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals) but his minutes and points have dropped sharply in conference (only 12.7 points on .371 from the field and .318 from 3) as defenses focus on him.
Hoffman has been running the shortest rotation in the SoCon. A 5 man corp is on the floor most of the time: 32.9 minutes to Holland, 29.8 to Rivers, 29.0 to Strawberry, 25.5 to Jelks and 24.4 to Ringer. 6th man Ryan Johnson (13.7 minutes) is really the only productive bench player with 5.5 points, .435 from 3 and 3.7 rebounds. Rashad Lewis (16 minutes) and Cory Kilby (17 minutes) have been used more in conference play than they were earlier, but are still not very productive. Swing man Ethan Stair has thus far missed the year with injury.
Guards:
6-0 152 Jr Ria’n Holland; 32.9 minutes, 17.1 points, 44-115 .383 from 3, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals
6-8 180 Jr Demetre Rivers; 29.8 minutes, 12.3 points, 21-60 .350 from 3, 3.0 rebounds, 0.1 steals
6-1 175 Jr Jordan Strawberry; 29.0 minutes, 11.7 points, 25-55 .455 from 3, 3.3 rebounds, 0.6 steals
5-8 156 Jr Rashad Lewis; 11.9 minutes, 2.9 points, 10-35 .294 from 3, 1.3 rebounds, 0.4 rebounds
Front Court:
6-6 225 Jr Stephon Jelks; 25.5 minutes, 7.3 points, 11-39 .282 from 3, 5.9 rebounds
6-9 255 Rs-Jr Desmond Ringer; 24.4 minutes, 6.5 points, 0 3’s, 5.8 rebounds
6-5 192 Rs-So Ryan Johnson; 13.7 minutes, 5.5 points, 12-33 .364 from 3, 3.7 rebounds
6-7 195 So Cory Kilby; 13.1 minutes, 2.8 points, 2.5 rebounds
7-1 218 Rs-Sr Andrew Fishler; 8.6 minutes, 3.3 points, 0 3’s, 2.2 rebounds
6-10 250 Rs-Sr JJ N’Ganga; 8.9 minutes, 1.5 points, 0 3’s, 2.0 rebounds
Cromer forcing it far too much.
Excellent man to man defense by ETSU. Making them work for everything.
It's gonna be a grind the whole way....
Whoever has the most patience and poise should win this one.
lol at the salty homer announcers.
This clown saying Hanner's name is killing me.
So many offensive fouls. Defenders with feet off the floor and moving.
Don't like the looks of this....
That 5-pt. "slippage" at the very end of the first half may end up being very destructive.
This was ugly and getting uglier
Lots of home calls tonight. But the Bucs aren't gettig it done on defense. Too many offensive boards and successful screens for Mercer tonight.
(01-07-2017 05:43 PM)Wadood Abides Wrote: [ -> ]So many offensive fouls. Defenders with feet off the floor and moving.
I think most, or all, of those offensive fouls have been the correct call. They've called some 'imaginary' walks, however; at least one on each team.
Yes I agree that our offensive fouls are legit, but we are being lazy at times and very cold shooting. Banks getting more minutes than normal
This is borderline unwatchable.
Have a feeling we are tired from 115 v the Citadel
Get this team going, coach! Time for a run.
(01-07-2017 05:54 PM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote: [ -> ]This is borderline unwatchable.
Hope you didn't stop watching!