Tigers will face Dallas in tourney

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Sports Writer

The 22nd-ranked DePauw men's basketball team hopes to carry the momentum of it's current five-game winning streak into the Tampa Bay Shootout Friday against the University of Dallas.

DePauw is playing solid all-around basketball as four starters are averaging double figures with one player close to a double-double average.

Austin Brown is leading DPU with 17 points per contest. Stephen Schott, who has led the Tigers in rebounding in all but two games this season, is averaging 16 points and nine rebounds a game.

Mike Moore is also a major contributor for DePauw knocking in 12 points per game and tallying six assists per game. He has also accumulated 18 steals on the season which leads the team.

The Crusaders are lead by the duo of Jason Bassett and Robert Nickell, who are averaging 12 points a piece. Joe Packard is averaging 10 points a game while Nic Nersch is putting in nine a game.

For the season, the Crusaders are shooting an impressive 50 percent from the floor with DePauw shooting just under the 50 percent mark.

Depauw's ability to shoot the long ball could help widen the gap and give the Tigers an advantage as they are averaging 40 percent from behind the line.

DePauw also has the all important advantage in the points per game category. DePauw averages nine more points a game than the Crusaders, 77-68

Both teams are quick starters and like to jump out to a lead. The teams have combined to outscore their opponents 551-455 in the first half but the second half is another story.

Both teams have allowed their opponents to get the upper hand and outscore them 523-490.

Another bright spot for the Tigers is the play of Matt McDonald and Reid Sakel. McDonald is averaging nine points and six rebounds a game.

He also has a team-high nine blocks on the season. Sakel is contributing 10 points and three boards per game.

Another aspect of the Crusaders game they need to improve on is their free throw shooting.

The Crusaders are shooting a low 65 percent from the line as DePauw is averaging 73 percent from the charity stripe.

The DePauw Tigers will be competing in the Tampa Bay Shootout on Friday and Saturday

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