Game 1 - University of Mary Marauders
November 9th, 2012 - 7 p.m.
Klotsche Center
The Milwaukee Panthers open the 2012-13 season with a home date against the Division II Mary Marauders out of Bismarck, North Dakota. The Marauders finished 8-18 last season and will come in following an exhibition against #8 ranked Creighton a few days earlier.
2011-12 Record: 8-18
RPI: N/A (Division II)
Lead Returnees (Place on team in 2011-12)
PPG: Josh Turner, 12.6 ppg (2nd)
RPG: Alex Dorr, 5.5 rpg (2nd)
APG: Jalen Jaspers, 2.4 apg (1st)
Biggest Loss - the Marauders will be coming into the game looking to replace the scoring and rebounding of Damon Smith, their graduated senior leader. Also gone is Darius Robinson, who put up 16 points on Green Bay in their opener last year.
New faces - Expected to take over some scoring and rebounding in the post is 6'6'' Kevin Jensen, a freshman from Victoria, Minnesota. At that height, Jensen is tied for the tallest player on the team with Alex Dorr, who looks to lead them on the block.
Style of play - At 39.5%, the Marauders are definitely what you'd call a three-point shooting team. Mary relies on taking and making their shots, as they only averaged 31.7 rebounds per game, 1.4 per game less than their opponents. This is a small team that plays fast and likes to run the ball, something that suits the new-look Panthers.
Bottom Line - Mary is going to be severely outmatched by Milwaukee on the boards, in the paint and overall in speed and athleticism. This is the difference between D-I and D-II, and you can expect Milwaukee to put their best foot forward as they open the Klotsche Center as our "new" home. The only chance Mary has is to bomb from long range, but with the severe size advantage down low you can expect Milwaukee to man up or play with a 3-2 zone and still own the glass. It'll be a nice coming out party for the perimeter defense of Demetrius Harris, and should give Paris Gulley and Jordan Aaron some work to do.