Middle Tennessee (3-0) vs. Stephen F. Austin (2-1)
William R. Johnson Coliseum, Nacogdoches, Texas; Friday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Middle Tennessee faces Stephen F. Austin in an early season matchup. Middle Tennessee beat Winthrop by 11 on Tuesday, while Stephen F. Austin is coming off of an 83-71 loss on Sunday to South Dakota State.
PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE: Senior leadership could play a big role in this game’s outcome. Gavin Kensmil, David Kachelries and Roti Ware have collectively accounted for 50 percent of Stephen F. Austin’s scoring this season. For Middle Tennessee, Josh Jefferson, DeAndre Dishman and Donovan Sims have collectively accounted for 38 percent of the team’s total scoring.JUMPING FOR JOSH: Jefferson has connected on 23.5 percent of the 17 3-pointers he’s attempted and has made 4 of 17 over his last three games. He’s also made 85.7 percent of his free throws this season.
FLOOR SPACING: Middle Tennessee’s Sims has attempted 18 3-pointers and connected on 22.2 percent of them, and is 4 for 18 over the last three games.
DID YOU KNOW: The Middle Tennessee defense has forced opponents into turnovers on an impressive 30.8 percent of all possessions, which ranks the Blue Raiders fifth among Division I teams. The Stephen F. Austin offense has turned the ball over on 26.7 percent of its possessions (ranking the Lumberjacks 344th, nationally).
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