In a stunning upset, Tennessee Technological University, ranked 312 in the NET rankings, defeated Lindenwood University, ranked 247, by a margin of 15 points, with a final score of 72-57. The Lindenwood Lions, expected to prevail over the lower-ranked Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, were instead outperformed in the second half, where they managed only 28 points to Tennessee Tech's 41. This result has significant implications for the seed line, as it throws into question the relative strengths of these teams.
The first half was closely contested, with Tennessee Tech holding a narrow 31-29 lead, but the Golden Eagles pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Lions by 13 points. The 15-point margin of victory suggests a decisive win for Tennessee Tech, and a thorough examination of the team statistics will be necessary to understand how the underdog Golden Eagles were able to achieve this unexpected outcome.
JaJuan Nicholls and Brandon Muntu led the charge for Tennessee Tech, combining for 32 points and 16 rebounds. Nicholls' well-rounded performance included 16 points on 80% shooting from the field, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Muntu added 16 points of his own, shooting 66.7% from the field and 40% from three. Both players showed efficiency in their respective roles, with Nicholls dominating in the paint and Muntu providing a threat from beyond the arc.
Ty Owens was the third key contributor for the Golden Eagles, tallying 16 points and 6 rebounds while dishing out a season-high 6 assists. Owens' shooting percentages were respectable, hitting 45.5% of his field goals and 50% of his three-point attempts, and his ability to create for himself and his teammates was a significant factor in Tennessee Tech's victory. While Owens' statistics may not have jumped off the page in terms of raw numbers, his all-around performance was a testament to his importance to the Golden Eagles' offense.
Mekhi Cooper's shooting display was a bright spot for Lindenwood, as he connected on 5 of his 11 field goal attempts and 5 of his 10 three-point attempts. However, despite his impressive shooting percentages, Cooper's overall impact was limited by his meager rebounding output, which only reached one board. His three assists were a modest contribution to the team's offense, but ultimately, his scoring efforts fell short of propelling Lindenwood to a victory.
Dontrez Williams' performance was marked by a balanced stat line, with 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists. His 4-for-9 shooting from the field and 2-for-3 shooting from three-point range were respectable, but his struggles at the free throw line, where he only attempted four shots, prevented him from fully capitalizing on his scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Anias Futrell's outing was hindered by his poor shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, where he connected on just 1 of 7 attempts. His 11 points and four rebounds were not enough to compensate for his team's overall shooting woes.
Jadis Jones's performance fell short of his season averages in multiple categories, most notably in scoring where he was 7.8 points below his average of 15.8 PPG. Despite a significant increase in rebounding, a key area where he often excels, Jones's overall production was hindered by a 2.4-point decrease in field goal percentage and a missed three-pointer, suggesting that his efficiency was also impacted by his subpar shooting. The normally reliable Jones struggled to find his rhythm, as his supporting numbers in assists and blocks did not adequately compensate for the drop in scoring.
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INCORRECTPredicted
Final
The pre-game prediction proved to be a wide margin off the mark, as Tennessee Tech convincingly outpaced Lindenwood by 15 points. The model's favoritism towards Lindenwood was misplaced, as the Golden Eagles' superior shooting and rebounding efforts ultimately sealed the outcome.
Tennessee Tech's ability to shoot at an elevated clip both inside and outside the arc, particularly in comparison to its season average, was a key factor in the game's outcome. The Golden Eagles' three-point shooting, which rose to 38.1% on the night, was a significant departure from their season average of 31.7%. Furthermore, Tennessee Tech's rebounding dominance, as evidenced by their 24.1% OREB rate, gave them a substantial advantage on the glass, allowing them to control the tempo and limit Lindenwood's second-chance opportunities.
The result of this matchup holds significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For Tennessee Tech, the win marks a crucial milestone in its quest for a postseason berth, as it now boasts a Quad 4 win to complement its improving NET ranking. While the victory itself doesn't elevate the team's seeding prospects, it does help to separate it from other Quad 4 teams with less impressive resumes. In contrast, Lindenwood's loss extends its Quad 1 woes, and with no Quad 2 victories to show for the season, the Lions' at-large chances may be slipping away, making a possible 15th-seed bid an increasingly long shot. As it stands, Tennessee Tech's NET ranking and Quad 1-2 record make it a prime candidate to receive an 11th seed or worse in the tournament bracket, while Lindenwood's struggles against top opponents will force it to rely on the Selection Committee's generosity.