Air Force vs. Missouri State – Three things to watch
AIR FORCE at MISSOURI STATE
THREE THINGS TO WATCH SATURDAY
1. HOW AIR FORCE HANDLES THE ATMOSPHERE
This will be the Falcons’ first road game of the season after playing five straight at Clune Arena. And it will be the first college road game for Air Force's many freshmen. Five played in Wednesday’s victory over North Carolina Central, with three playing 13 or more minutes. “It was a really big adjustment,” junior Evan Washington said of playing on the road as a freshman. “You don’t get as many calls, the fans are out to embarrass you, so you’ve got to stay on your game and be focused.”
2. MISSOURI STATE’S DEPTH
In Wednesday’s victory over Arkansas-Little Rock, nine of the Bears logged 18 or more minutes, and only one – junior guard Adam Leonard – played more than 24. Missouri State's opponents have averaged 15.7 turnovers and 61.3 points in six games. “They’re a big, strong, physical team,” Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said. “We’re going to have to run our offense under somewhat of duress.”
3. THE FALCONS’ ROTATION
Air Force likely will play a second straight game without three of its top eight players – starting center Sammy Schafer and forward Tom Fow definitely are out because of concussions, and freshman center Taylor Broekhuis is doubtful because of a strained lower leg muscle. “We’re so out of sync because of all the injuries,” Reynolds said. “We don’t have a flow with our rotations, and we did have that earlier.”
Quote to note: “I think it’ll be a really good test, and it’ll be very beneficial. For the young guys on the team, it’ll be kind of like a preview of future conference games.” – Washington on Saturday’s game.
Note to quote: Missouri State has scored 70 or more points in all six of its games. The Bears, with only one senior on the roster, have won the six games by an average of 13.4 points, and their closest game was an eight-point victory over Tulsa.
