The anticipation is building as the Lindenwood Lions gear up to host the Little Rock Trojans this Saturday in a highly anticipated Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) matchup. With Lindenwood boasting a strong home record and Little Rock riding high with recent successes, fans can expect a thrilling basketball contest.
Recent Performance Highlights
In their latest game, Anias Futrell of Lindenwood was in the spotlight with an impressive 20-point contribution, leading the Lions to a narrow victory over the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. Lindenwood now holds an impressive 8-1 home record and is looking to leverage this advantage against the visiting Trojans.
The Lions have navigated a series of close games, holding a 5-7 record in matchups decided by a margin of ten points or more. Their resilience on their home court will be tested against Little Rock, who currently stands at 6-2 in conference play.
Offensive and Defensive Metrics
Offensively, the Trojans are bolstered by a tenacious rebounding squad, with 9.2 offensive rebounds per game, partially attributed to Ante Beljan's prowess, who averages 2.4 rebounds.
Lindenwood's long-range shooting averages 6.0 made 3-pointers per game. By comparison, they face Little Rock, a team allowing 7.7 made 3-pointers on average per game. Furthermore, Little Rock surpasses Lindenwood in field goal shooting percentage, making their attempts at 43.5% compared to Lindenwood's opposition, which averages 42.3% against them.
Star Players to Watch
Anias Futrell shines brightly for Lindenwood, with performances averaging 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. He is complemented by Markeith Browning II, who has averaged 14.8 points in his last ten outings.
The Trojans will counter with Johnathan Lawson, a dynamic player who maintains an average of 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, in addition to 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals. Additionally, Ante Beljan's recent form is notable, averaging 13.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, with a stellar 60.0% shooting record over his last ten games.
Team Stats and Game Predictions
Examining the last ten games, the Lions have shown versatility, averaging 71.0 points, 32.7 rebounds, and 7.7 steals per game, though their shooting percentage lingers at 43.5%. In these games, they have matched up closely against opponents, yielding 71.6 points per game. The Trojans, on the other hand, display a slightly higher efficiency with 69.5 points, 34.2 rebounds, and a commendable 14.4 assists and 8.0 steals per game. Their superior shooting percentage of 45.1% further enhances their competitive edge, as they manage to keep opponent scoring to an average of 65.1 points per game.
This compelling matchup is poised for intense competition, with both teams striving to strengthen their positions in the conference. As tip-off approaches, all eyes will be on how Lindenwood utilizes its home court advantage and whether Little Rock can continue its solid run.