Game Preview, Exhibition 2: Marian University

The Jaguars will take on Marian University Friday in their final tune up before taking on Gonzaga University in Spokane next week. Though there were good things to take away from the Anderson exhibition, there is still plenty to work on and fix. Let's meet Marian and see exactly what to watch for Friday night.


Who: Marian University Knights
What: Exhibition 2
When: November 5, 2010; 7:00pm
Where: The Jungle, IUPUI


Marian University
From: Indianapolis, Indiana
Division: NAIA-Division II
Conference: Mid-Central College Conference
Pre-Season Rank: No pre-season ranking
2009-2010 Record: 13-15 (5-11)


Projected Starters
Guard- Stephen Thomas
Guard- John Ashworth
Forward- Alex Young
Forward- Leroy Nobles
Forward- Christian Siakam


Projected Key Subs
Guard- Greg Rice
Guard- Sean Esposito
Guard- Nick DeShepper
Forward- Donovon Gibbs
Center- Mitchell Patton


Injury Updates
Greg Rice: Practiced nearly full speed Wednesday, reports say he's questionable but could definitely see the floor.
PJ Hubet: In a boot still, out for this game. Could possibly be ready by January.

Keys to the Game
1) Figure out who can come off the bench.
Anderson was good, even by some D-I standards. Marian lost to Iowa last year by 23. Iowa is bad. Very bad. Worse than IU and Penn State bad. Thusly, this game is going to get out of hand much faster than the last game did. If the bench is ever going to strut their stuff (the two freshman especially), 
2) Out rebound Marian by 18
Marian isn't as small as Anderson. They're bringing eight players over 6-5, Anderson brought half of that. With the biggest problem facing the Jaguars being their inside game, and Gonzaga (with 11 players 6-4 and taller) next up, this is the last chance they have to get things right.
3) Don't Allow More Than 55.
We all know the boys can score, but their defense has been extra shaky in practice. 60 points was exactly how many they should have given up against Anderson. 55 would be be exactly enough against the Knights.
4) Shoot Better Than 55%.
After the first game, I figure IUPUI can lead the nation in field goal percent. There's absolutely no reason why the Jags can't shoot 55%, especially because they've been working on quick-break baskets.