AFA basketball: Three things to watch vs. North Carolina Central

AIR FORCE vs. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. AIR FORCE’S FREE-THROW SHOOTING
It was a problem last season, when the Falcons made just 67.4 percent of their shots from the line – the worst mark in the Mountain West Conference – and it’s continued to be a problem this season. Air Force has made 82-of-129 free throws (63.6 percent) and has made less than 70 percent in each of its four games. In the second half Saturday against Charleston Southern, the Falcons missed 10-of-25 free throws.

2. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL’S PRESSURE
The Eagles like to push the tempo and press, and full-court pressure gave Air Force trouble early in Saturday’s victory over Charleston Southern – the Falcons committed five turnovers on their first 19 possessions but just five more the rest of the way. “They’ll try to turn us over and try to mix their defenses,” Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said of the Eagles. “They want to make it a full-court game.”

3. THE FALCONS’ REBOUNDING
Reynolds said it’s likely the Falcons will be without both starting center Sammy Schafer (who suffered a concussion last week in practice) and backup center Taylor Broekhuis (strained lower leg muscle) for the second straight game. Air Force will need its perimeter players to crash the boards to help make up for the missing post players. “They’ve got to get in there and rat out some rebounds for us,” Reynolds said.

Quote to Note: “They’re big, they’re long, they’re athletic and they run their stuff well,” – Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds on North Carolina Central.

Note to Quote: North Carolina Central has lost five of six games to start the season, including four in a row. All of the losses have come by 10 or more points.