Warriors Host Dragons

Hi everyone, Coach Moore here with another game preview.

Tonight nights match up should be a great one as the University of Minnesota State-Moorhead comes to McCown gym. This is the only regular season match-up between the two of us so this game has the added importance of a holding a tie breaker over the other team with a win. The Warriors lead the all-time series over the Dragons 75-69 and won both contests last season.

This years version of the Dragons returns many of the key contributors from last years squad. Back is leading scorer and NSIC Newcomer of the Year, Justyn Burgess, Burgess is again the leading scorer on the Dragons squad averaging 16 ppg. Another familiar face leading the Dragons is 6'0 junior guard Grant Fossum, Fossum is currently second on the team in scoring at 10 ppg, while hitting 40% of his 3 point shots. Some other member of the Dragons to keep an eye on in tonight's game are freshman Xavier Reed and Jake Driscoll, both are former all-state players from the state of Minnesota. The Dragons like in years past are very solid on both ends of the floor. Offensively expect them to work diligently for a great shot and defensively expect to see both man to man and zone defenses. The Dragons are also capable of playing both a faster paced style of basketball even though they prefer to slow the pace down some.

As for the keys for tonight's game for the Warriors. WSU must get back on track on the offensive end. Spacing in tonight's game will be a key for the Warriors as we need to get back to having the great spacing we had during our winning streak. Also rebounding is going to be a huge key in the game. Last weekend we were terrible on the boards, we were out rebounded both nights and our effort on the glass was not to be found. If we want to be in this ball game we have to rebound the basketball much better then the night before. Finally we must push the pace of this game. While the Dragons can play at a faster paced game they do not really want to get into a shoot out. We need to get this game going up and down the floor as much as possible as our offense seems to flow so much better when we are playing at a faster pace.

Hopefully once again our shooters show up and we are ready to go as tonight's game will be another huge battle in the NSIC.

Go Warriors!!

For more info on Minnesota State - Moorhead click here: http://www.msumdragons.com/index.aspx?tab=basketball&path=mbball