The Notre Dame College Falcons (2-2 1-0 MEC) will face a litmus test when they take on #8 West Liberty at the ASRC. The game is set for a 730 PM tomorrow night (Tuesday.)
"The guys are really excited for this one against a really good team, "Richmond mentioned.
Guard and reigning MEC Player Of The Week Jaedon Willis agreed:
"We knew exactly what it is on Tuesday, "Wills said. "Mentally we need to be prepared for it. We will be ready to play from the jump. This is an opportunity to accomplish who we are and what better way to do that than against West Liberty."
NDC (2-2 1-0 MEC) is coming off a 2-0 week as they defeated Bryant & Stratton 102-66 and then rolled past Wheeling 91-71 in the MEC Opener on Saturday.
NDC comes into the game averaging 84.5 points per game while they allow 79.8 points per contest. They shoot 45.9 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from the 3-point line in the young season. On the glass NDC has out-rebounded the opposition by 6.3 (41.8-35.5) rebounds per night. Willis and DeAirius Barker lead the team in scoring on the season. Willis pours in 24.3 points per game and grabs five rebounds per contest which both lead the team. Barker scores 11 points per night and leads the team in assists at three per game. Against Wheeling Willis had his first double-double as a member of the Falcons as he tallied 28 points and 10 rebounds. Barker knocked down 4 triples on his way to 18 points. Khalil Camara also tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. As a team the Falcons shot 37.9 percent from the field, 51.7 percent from the 3-point line, and 74.3 percent (26-35) from the free throw line.
Richmond talked about depth being a strength for the Falcons:
"Like I said earlier we have very strong depth. When we had a few guys out on Saturday we were able to sub and did not miss a beat."
#8 West Liberty (4-0 1-0 MEC) rolled past Alderson Broaddus in the conference opener as they started defense of another MEC title. Last year's MEC Player Of The Year Bryce Butler scored 25 points, Malik McKinney scored 15, Steve Canady tallied 13, and Zach Rasile netted 12. They shot 47.7 percent from the field in the game, 32.3 percent (10-31) from the 3-point line, and 62 percent (18-29) from the free throw line.
Butler leads the season box score pouring in 25.3 points per game to go with a team leading eight rebounds per night. Cannady is averaging 13.8 points per game, McKinney scores 10.3 per game, while Christian Montague and Rasille each score 10 per night.
Richmond talked about West Liberty:
"Taking care of the ball is the #1 key against West Lib. They dictate pace a lot and get you to play a certain way. We need to maintain the ball and make good decisions particularly in transition. When we have good numbers we need to get really good shots. If they continuously have to take the ball out after we score we will be in good shape. If we shoot quick shots and turn the ball over it can get away from you quick against them."
He Continued:
"The misconception about West Lib is how many 3-pointer's they make. The key is to rebound and don't give up too many second chance points. We need to keep them out of the middle out of the floor."
Then Richmond gave his last few thoughts:
"We are still obviously improving. We are looking for a complete 40 minute game from our guys. We got a big lead on Saturday and could've done some things better down the stretch. We need to be focused and disciplined throughout the game. We can't have bad stretches against these guys. They are obviously as good as anyone we play."
Other MEC Games Tuesday:
Glenville State @ Charleston
Concord @ West Virginia State
Alderson Broaddus @ Wheeling
Fairmont State @ West Virginia Wesleyan
Frostburg State @ Davis & Elkins
MEC Standings:
West Liberty 1-0 (4-0)
Fairmont State 1-0 (3-0)
West Virginia State 1-0 (3-0)
Charleston 1-0 (2-2)
Frostburg State 1-0 (2-2)
NDC 1-0 (2-2)
Davis & Elkins 0-1 (3-1)
Concord 0-1 (2-2)
Glenville State 0-1 (1-2)
Wheeling 0-1 (1-3)
Alderson Broaddus 0-1 (0-3)
West Virginia Wesleyan 0-1 (0-4)
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