They stand 61st overall in KenPom. Their AdjustedO ranking is 98th and the AdjustedD is 46th, so you get the idea they're a defensive minded team. The numbers that jump out at you include their defensive rebounding %. It's 24.2%, 2nd best in the nation. Make your shots, second looks are hard to come by. And making baskets isn't easy. Effective fg% against is 42.6%, 5th best. 3 pointer % against? 30.9%, 44th best. In the paint? 41% against, 3rd best. And they do it all with fouling at a low clip. About the only weak spot is they don't force a ton of turnovers. The Bisons TO% on defense rates 346th.
Offensively, they're not as efficient but still solid. They may not force turnovers but they also don't turn the ball over. Their turnover% is 15.1%, 2nd best. They shoot well enough, with an effective fg% of 49.9%. Most of the offense comes in the paint. If you foul them, they make you pay. They shoot 74.8% from the charity stripe, 24th best in America. Good on the defensive glass, they're the opposite on offense. They only get 29.6% of misses, 241st.
The name you'll hear on selection Sunday when the punditry pontificates about "bracket busters" will be Mike Muscala. The Roseville, MN native has had an impressive career and Senior season. At 6' 11", Muscala averages 19ppg, 11.2rpg and 2.4 blocks per game. When he's on the court, watch him on the defensive glass. He's a vacuum with a defensive rebounding % of 28.9&, which is tops in the country. Oh, and he shoots 78% from the line.
Bucknell has wins at home versus LaSalle and at Purdue. They have senior leadership and aren't a fluke conference champ. They may have benefited from CJ McCollum being out for Lehigh bu they could've beat them anyway. If they draw a weak shooting team, they'll have a very good shot at winning a game. Same with a team that's careless with the ball.
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