As the IU Indianapolis Jaguars gear up to face the Milwaukee Panthers, they do so with renewed confidence following DeSean Goode's remarkable 23-point performance against the Youngstown State Penguins. This upcoming game, set to light up the scoreboard on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. EST, is crucial as it sees IU Indianapolis striving to gain an edge in the Horizon League standings.
The Jaguars, holding a home record of 5-5, find themselves eighth in the Horizon League, driven by an average of 13.5 assists per game. Their playmaker, Alec Millender, spearheads this effort with an average of 3.4 assists per game. On the other hand, Milwaukee Panthers, boasting a solid 8-4 record in league play, display an 8th place ranking as well but in three-point shooting, hitting 31.5% from beyond the arc.
Analyzing these teams’ performances, IU Indianapolis has posted a shooting percentage of 42.7% this season, slightly trailing the 44.1% field goal percentage that their rivals usually concede. While Milwaukee averages 6.1 made three-pointers per game, IU Indianapolis allows an average of 8.1, indicating potential defensive adjustments.
Key Players to Watch
For the Jaguars, Paul Zilinskas stands out with his sharp shooting, boasting a 41.5% success rate from the three-point line while contributing 17.2 points per game. Additionally, Jarvis Walker has been an integral force, shooting 35.1% and averaging 14.0 points over the last ten games, further strengthening their offensive line-up.
The Panthers’ Kentrell Pullian has been a notable performer, averaging 1.7 made three-pointers per game and scoring 13.2 points while maintaining a shooting accuracy of 35.5% from beyond the arc. Themus Fulks has also emerged as a significant threat, particularly in the last ten games, where he's managed a field goal percentage of 44.1% and an average of 15.8 points.
Recent Team Form
IU Indianapolis has faced a challenging stretch in their last ten games, managing only a 3-7 record. They have averaged 72.2 points, alongside 28.8 rebounds, with their field goal shooting around 41.4%. However, their defense has seen tougher days, allowing an average of 79.1 points from opponents.
Milwaukee, showing a stronger form in comparison, has earned a 6-4 record over their last ten games, putting up an average of 75.5 points and 35.7 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 45.6% from the field. The Panthers have thus been more effective defensively, limiting their opponents to 70.3 points on average.
With both teams showcasing potential and formidable individual performers, this game is set to be a captivating clash in the Horizon League. IU Indianapolis will aim to harness their home court advantage and Goode's uplifted form to challenge the in-form Milwaukee Panthers, promising a thrilling basketball encounter.