Northern Kentucky vs. ETSU: Mid-major game of the week
By Bryan Mauro
The first week of the college basketball season is upon us, and there are great games on the docket.
East Tennessee State Buccaneers vs. Northern Kentucky Norse
TV Schedule: Friday, Nov. 10, 7:00 p.m. ET, Check local listings
Arena: BB & T Arena- Highland Heights, KY
Why This Game is Important:
It is not often that two powerful mid-majors play each other this early in the year. Northern Kentucky gave Kentucky all they could handle last year in their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. East Tennessee State made the NCAA Tournament last year and was one of the best lower tier teams in the country last year. ETSU lost to Florida in the NCAA Tournament last year, but that game was much closer than the score may have suggested.
This game is going to be especially interesting for the individuals who love offense. The style of basketball each team plays is completely different and that will also make for a great event. ETSU relies on tons of athletic kids to run their offense, and, if they can get into the lane, they can turn any game into a dunk contest. Head Coach Steve Forbes has built his program from high major transfers. This year he has yet another transfer from Indiana. Last year during the tournament run, he had another transfer from Indiana as well as a transfer from Wichita State.
The Northern Kentucky Norse like to spread teams out and can score in a multitude of ways. Northern Kentucky also has the preseason Player of the Year in the Horizon League on their roster. That player, Drew McDonald is one of the best all-around players in the mid-majors. Northern Kentucky is also a very experienced team who has most of their roster back from last year’s tournament team.
One team loves to dunk and is athletic; the other likes to spread the floor and shoot from anywhere on it. The styles are contrasting, and yet both teams win a lot of games and are favorites to secure tournament bids. This game truly is a treat for the first weekend of the College Basketball season.
Key Players:
Drew McDonald — Northern Kentucky
McDonald is the preseason Horizon League Player of the Year and just an overall a pure scorer. McDonald is the best player for the Norse and the player the offense is run through. He makes up a dynamic duo with guard Lavone Holland. McDonald is also a true sophomore and will get better as he continues to get minutes. McDonald will be the best player on the floor in this game. If McDonald lives up to expectations, he will lead Northern Kentucky to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. This year they will most likely get a higher seed.
Desonta Bradford — ETSU
Bradford is an athletic player who is best while getting to the rim for the Buccaneers. If you like dunking, Bradford will not disappoint, as he, like many other ETSU players, thrives on getting to the rim. Bradford is not a great shooter overall from deep, but he is quick, will get to the rim, and loves to get fouled. The Buccaneers are going to rely on Bradford to lead them this year.
Score Prediction:
The two contrasting styles in this game is the most interesting aspect of this game. The experience level of Northern Kentucky should win out in the end. However, don’t count out the ETSU squad as they are coached by one of the best minds in college basketball, and you can be certain he will have his team ready to play and punch back. There are too many factors in play against ETSU in this game though.
The game is on the road in a hostile environment. Playing in a hostile environment is hard enough, but when you couple that with playing a team that has the experience and talent of Northern Kentucky, the game could spiral out of control. ETSU will be able to stay in this game because of their athleticism and the fact they are coached extremely well. Northern Kentucky will win the game and will extend the lead late.
Northern Kentucky -77 ETSU- 70
Next: Northern Kentucky 2017-18 season preview
If this game and the potential for this game is a precursor to the college basketball season, fans are going to be in for potentially one of the best seasons in recent memory.