The Matchup

Wesleyan Basketball has an opportunity to win two games this week with Saturday's contest at last-place Urbana. The Bobcats make the long trip to Western Ohio determined to take care of the teams below them in the Mountain East Conference standings. Even though Urbana has struggled this season to a 4-11 mark in the MEC, they have been competitive at home, with a 3-5 record in their own building. Before their last-second win at Davis & Elkins on Wednesday, the Blue Knights had lost their last six games. Wesleyan is currently 7-8 in the MEC, one game off the pace for the coveted sixth seed. Both teams play at a slow pace, but Urbana has really struggled offensively this season, and are currently last in the MEC in scoring. The Blue Knights also struggle on the glass, and at the free-throw line, so Coach Nick Patella's gameplan for Saturday is certainly centered around playing physical. 

Key Statistics

Urbana is last in the MEC in scoring (67.1 ppg).
Urbana is last in the MEC in defensive rebounding (23.8 def rpg).
Wesleyan is third in the MEC in rebounding margin (+2.4).
Luka Petrovic is averaging 18.5 pts, 7.3 reb, 5.5 ast over his last four games.

Storylines

Similar to Wednesday, it is imperative that Wesleyan beat the teams currently below them in the MEC standings. In their pursuit of the sixth seed, the Bobcats cannot afford any unexpected loss, as they are currently a game behind Wheeling for that spot. Luka Petrovic has been playing his best basketball of the season over the last four games. The senior point guard from Serbia has been aggressive offensively driving the lane, and crashing the boards defensively to lead the fast break. When he is clicking with Dusan Vicentic in the two-man game, they are hard to stop, and it opens up good looks for Daylin Lee and Clay Todd. Urbana is coming off a game-winning shot against Davis & Elkins, beating the Senators on a three-pointer from Shaunn Monroe as the buzzer sounded in Elkins. They will be riding the high of that finish, as well as the end of their six game losing streak, coming into Saturday afternoon.

Players to Watch - West Virginia Wesleyan

Luka Petrovic - 12.8 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4.7 rpg
Daylin Lee - 13.5 ppg, 43.6 3pt%

Players to Watch - Urbana

Tehree Horn - 11.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Mario Lacy Jr. - 10.0 ppg, 59.4 fg%