Milwaukee, WI
RMU Basketball: 3 keys to Colonials road matchup at Milwaukee Panthers
RMU Basketball is back on a win streak after wins over Wright State and Green Bay, with the latest coming Friday night by 22 points. But after beating the worst team in the Horizon League, the Colonials are on the road to take on one of the best teams in Milwaukee (13-6, 6-2).
The Panthers are at the end of a three-game homestand, with wins over Green Bay and coming off an impressive 79-64 victory over league contender, Youngstown State. RMU can get over .500 in league play and make a case for being in the top tier itself with a win on Sunday afternoon.
Here are the keys to the game for the road team.
1. Good perimeter defense without fouling
Milwaukee’s strength is in its backcourt offensively, with four double-digit scoring guards. Themus Fulks (15.3 ppg and 4.9 apg) leads the way, while Kentrell Pullian and AJ McKee are also in the mix as go-to options. Plus, Erik Pratt has recently returned, averaging 10.7 ppg off the bench as the team’s 6th Man. They aren’t a good shooting team but they thrive slashing to the basket. So if you’re the Colonials, you have to do not only a good job preventing them getting easy buckets, but also without fouling.
2. Dealing with Jamichael Stillwell on the boards
The Panthers are one of the best rebounding teams in the nation, ranking in the top 10 at just under 42 a game, including 15 offensive rebounds on average. Stillwell, who missed a couple of games before returning the last game, is averaging 13.4 ppg and 11.9 rpg, which is first in the nation. The other elite rebounder in the Horizon League is RMU’s Alvaro Folguerias, who is producing 12.8 ppg and 10.3 rpg. The Colonial big man will need to have a good game to have a chance on the road.
3. Kam Woods having an all-league performance
Is there are chance that Woods can make his way to an all-league team? He’s currently averaging 14.5 ppg and 4.4 apg, with his shooting percentages starting to rise after a few good outings. He’s been good on the road as of late as well, including a 29-point outing at Oakland.
Milwaukee is one of the top teams in the Horizon League, and beating them on the road will be a tough challenge. If Woods doesn’t have a good game, then RMU Basketball isn’t going to win.