Senior Ben Smith, the Atlantic Sun Preseason Player of the Year, leads Jacksonville with 16.8 points per game.
VS
When: Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: UCF Arena, Orlando, Fla.
Scouting the Dolphins
2009 Record: 1-7 (0-2 Atlantic Sun Conference)
Last Game: Loss at East Tennessee St., 93-70
Last Meeting: 1994, Jacksonville 79-77
Game Notes:
- Buffalo is currently on a three-game winning streak.
- This will be Jacksonville’s eighth game (of nine total) away from home.
About the opponent/game
Jacksonville has logged a lot of bus miles this season, but getaways from its campus have not yielded happy trips back home. Picked as the preseason favorite to capture the Atlantic Sun this year (24/31 media members picked them as the 1st place team in the conference), the Dolphins are currently experiencing a rough beginning to the season in which nine of their first 10 games are away from Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
This murderers row of games has resulted in a 1-7 record. According to Sagarin ratings, Jacksonville has played the third-toughest schedule to date. The Dolphins lone home game came against the Florida Gators, who beat JU 85-67.
Though Jacksonville’s schedule has pitted the Dolphins against Florida State, California, South Carolina and the aforementioned Gators, the team must be disappointed with the start. They came into ‘09-‘10 with momentum after an 18-14 season, a regular-season conference championship and an appearance in the NIT. With four returning starters, Jacksonville expected to add an NCAA Tournament bid to its list accolades.
Jacksonville did finish last season 16-7 after starting the season 2-7 record, but the team expected to capture one of its big games and is 0-2 in conference play.
The starting lineup is experienced and talented, but eight of the nine reserves are underclassmen, resulting in a big drop-off when the starters get their limited minutes of rest.
Unlike Jacksonville, Buffalo does not want to bring it on home. The team comes into this UCF Classic with confidence and a three-game winning streak, including road wins over Niagara and Green Bay. The Bulls are now 4-1 away from home after struggling away from Amherst for most of the decade.
Usually balanced in the scoring column, the Bulls have recently relied on star Rodney Pierce to provide the offensive firepower. The senior guard has scored 20-plus points in each of his last three games. This may be one of his hot streaks, but Buffalo will ride Pierce’s shooting for the rest of the season.
Buffalo holds all the advantages on paper, but don’t count the Dolphins out of this one. Their starting five is talented enough to hang with the Bulls, and if the team has grown and matured during its tumultuous start to the season, it may be able to hang with Buffalo.
Two Jacksonville Players to Watch:
G – Ben Smith (Sr.)
Smith, Jacksonville’s point guard, will be one of the better players the Bulls play this season. He was named the Atlantic’s Sun Preseason Player of the Year and has proved the billing to be worthy. By Smith’s standards, he’s having a sub-par season, but his 16.8 points/game average leads the Dolphins. Due to increased pressure to score, Smith’s shot attempts have increased, and his shooting percentage and assists have decreased. Nonetheless, Smith is Jacksonville’s most dangerous weapon, so Buffalo will need to make sure he’s contained.
G – Travis Cohn (Jr.)
Aside from Smith, most of Jacksonville’s returning starters have struggled this season. Cohn, who scored 6.8 points/game last season, has not followed this trend and has stepped up to become Jacksonville’s second scoring option. He has raised his scoring average to 9.5 points/game this season, but averages more turnovers (2.4) than assists (1.4) a game. Regardless, Cohn is a reliable shooter that the Bulls will have to keep their eyes on.
Buffalo will win if…
The team can take advantage of a sub-par Jacksonville defense. The Dolphins have given a staggering 78.2 points per game. Only two opponents have shot less than 50 percent from the floor. Jacksonville’s perimeter defense has failed to limit hot shooters, so if Pierce, Sean Smiley and Zach Filzen can get going, it may be a long night for the Floridians. Jacksonville has scored above 70 points two times this season, so if Buffalo makes this a high-scoring affair, it will surely win.
Jacksonville will win if…
It can limit turnovers and works hard to match the Bulls’ rebounding strength. Despite a 1-7 record, Jacksonville has out-rebounded all but two opponents. If some of those misses become second-chance points for Jacksonville, the Dolphins might be able to hang with the Bulls. Ben Smith is good enough to put the team on his back and carry them to the W. The supporting cast has struggled so far this year, but is bound to explode any game now; it’ll be up to the Bulls to make sure it doesn’t happen this game.
Prediction:
David Sanchirico, Senior Sports Editor
“Everything points to a Buffalo blowout. The team is feeling strong after back-to-back road wins, and the team’s stars (Pierce and Calvin Betts) have shaken off tough starts.
“But I expect this contest to be close for most of the game. Smith has enough talent and will to make the team competitive, and part of me thinks this Jacksonville team will eventually put it together.
“In the end, the Bulls have too much for a reeling Jacksonville team that lacks depth right now.
Bulls 74, Dolphins 62
