This Friday at 7:00 pm the McNeese Cowboys roll into town to face the undefeated Richmond Spiders. McNeese (2-4) is coming off its best showing of the year with a 103-51 schalacking over Arlington Baptist. The Cowboys are led by 6'8" sophomore Sha'markus Kennedy, who leads the team with 17.8 ppg. Kennedy gets most of his production in the paint where he leads his team with 9.0 rpg. Stopping Kennedy's paint production will be key for the spiders who are looking for its 4 straight win. The last time the Spiders won 4 straight games was back in 2017. Another player that Richmond needs to keep their eye on is point guard Dru Kuxhausen. The junior Nebraska native is averaging 14.5 ppg. What's most alarming is that Dru is shooting just under 50% from behind the arc. Standing at only 6'0", Kuxhausen's game reminds me of the many smaller guards the Spiders have had over the years with similar skill set to that of Kevin Anderson or Kendall Anthony. Stopping Kuchausen on the perimeter and suffocating Kennedy inside has got to be priority number one for Mooney and the Spiders. Richmond should be able to handle the Cowboys friday night, with all five starters averaging double digits. This game, like most of the Spiders game, will come down to the rebound and turnover battle. Like Richmond, McNeese has struggled on the glass this year ranking 307th out of a possible 353 teams in rebounds per game (Richmond ranks at 222nd out of 353). McNeese has also had its problems with ball control. McNeese averages 17.5 turnovers a game which is the 30th highest turnover margin in all of college basketball. If the Spiders can keep the rebound margin close, pressure McNeese to turn the ball over which they are accustomed to doing, and continue to shoot well from 3 point range, than the Spiders will win this game handedly. Spiders win 85-72. Roll Spide!!!
