The Green Bay Phoenix will be at Bank of Kentucky Center to play the Northern Kentucky Norse in a Horizon matchup. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 4 and will air on ES3.
The Norse were beaten by Oakland 85-74 on Monday. Drew McDonald was the team’s high scorer, finishing with 23 points. The Phoenix, meanwhile, are coming off a tough 95-94 loss at the hands of Milwaukee on Friday. Carrington Love had a game-high 24 points.
Over the last five games, Charles Cooper and Love have been on a tear for the Phoenix. During that stretch, Cooper has averaged 17.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.2 steals, and 0.6 three-pointers. Not to be outdone, Love has put up 23.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.4 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers.
It could be a sloppy game for the Norse offense, which ranks 265th in the nation in ball protection (TO% of 19.9%). They’ll be facing the gambling Green Bay defense, which forces the 22nd-most turnovers in the nation (22.5%). The Phoenix should also expect to protect the ball well. They rank 22nd at avoiding errors (TO% of 15.7%). Conversely, the Norse force the 51st-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ TO% of 16.6%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Phoenix won the first game 86-70. Love was a standout player in the game, producing 18 points, three rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one three-pointer.
Notes
Ranked 92nd, the Green Bay Phoenix have an offensive rating of 109.3. The Northern Kentucky Norse rank 257th with a defensive rating of just 106.6.
The Northern Kentucky Norse average a field goal percentage of 44.9% this season. The Green Bay Phoenix have a poor record of 5-9 when opponents have a FG% of 44.9% or greater.
The Northern Kentucky Norse rank lower for their field goal percentage (130th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (124th), but the Green Bay Phoenix have a better FG% ranking (110th) than eFG% ranking (162nd).
Northern Kentucky ranks 91st in assists, registering 15.0 per game. Green Bay performs worse at 134th with 14.0 assists per game.
Green Bay, the 61st-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 39.2 rebounds per game. Northern Kentucky does worse, ranked 246th with 35.3.
Averaging 10.1 steals per game, the Green Bay Phoenix are ranked third in the nation. The Northern Kentucky Norse are a winless 0-1 this season when their opponents commit 10 or more steals.
