Detroit Preview: Mercer

I’m tempted to not preview this game, because if Detroit is in any way serious about their 2012 goals, it should be an eeeeeeeasy victory.

Mercer

Fear the Bear!

1:00 p.m. Feb. 25, 2012
Macon, Ga.
Gametracker stats

2011
1-12 (0-12 Division-1), #61 Laxpower.

2012
0-3 (losses to Ohio State, North Carolina, and Bellarmine).

Tempo-Free Profile

First, last year’s stats, but since there are three games under the Bears’ belt this season, we’ll take a quick look at those numbers as well.

Mercer was awful in all three phases last year. Offense, defense, and possession were all among the country’s worst.

The possession game looks much better already, but the efficiency numbers are a long way from approaching respectability. Woof, that defense.

Offense

Through three games this season, Zach Ward and Cole Branch have eight points apiece. Eion Collins has four points, and Brett Eisenman has three. Keoni Rausch and Jay DeBole are the only other Bears with multiple points.

DeBole is the third attackman alongside Ward and Branch, while the other three guys are midfielders. Thus far in the season, the midfielders have been goal-heavy, whereas the attack are more balanced. Only half of Bear goals are assisted, as well.

Defense

Sophomore defenseman Alex Goldsberry is the only non-FOGO non-goalkeeper to rack up double-digit GBs at this point in the season. Josh Davidson and Colin Brown are the other primary defensemen.

This unit is not high on causing turnovers (or, based on the tempo-free numbers ,being good in any other way).

In goal, Dillon Volk has saved .447 of shots faced, and is allowing 17.72 goals per game. Some of that is surely his fault, but plenty of the blame goes on the terrible defense in front of him.

Special Teams

Justin Evans has been excellent on faceoffs so far this season – Ohio State has dominated pretty much everyone else, including Chase Carraro, and they went 6/23 against him. That’s a big step in the right direction for Mercer.

Unfortunately for them, that’s the only thing that’s vastly improved. The clearing and riding numbers are ugly, and put the Bears even in possession, despite the faceoff advantage.

The Bears aren’t committing as many penalties as their opponents so far this year – and against the penalty-prone Titans, that’s likely to keep up.

Big Picture

Mercer is bad. Detroit is good. That’s about it.

Elsewhere

Mercer preview. Detroit Preview.

Predictions

As mentioned at the top, if Detroit is even halfway-serious about the NCAA Tournament and winning the MAAC this year, this is a game that they should easily win.

• Multiple Titans score hat tricks. Joel Matthews puts up at least six points, showing that his inclusion on the Tewaaraton watchlist isn’t just lip service. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’ll have a chance to win it, but his numbers will be nice.
• Later in the game, a Titan or two picks up his first score of the year.
• The Titans frustrate the hell out of me by committing several penalties. I get the impression they’re just going to be a heavily-penalized team this year. That’s partially on account of style of play – look for 20-plus caused turnovers in this game – and partially a lack of discipline.

Detroit wins this one walking away. The toughest part of the game should be the bus ride. Titans pick up a 21-9 win on the road.