Home court advantage at stake for KU men

What: Kutztown Golden Bears @ Millersville Marauders
When: Wednesday, February 20 @ 8 p.m.
Where: Puscillo Gymnasium on the campus of Millersville University

Last season, the KU men's basketball team made history by hosting their first ever PSAC playoff game. This year's squad has a chance to make history repeat itself. If KU defeats MU it will allow the Golden Bears to host a first round playoff game. KU is still in the running for the top spot in the PSAC East as it is tied with Cheyney for first place. KU is coming off of a 97-68 blowout against Bloomsburg. Andre Woodlin had a career high 22 points, while Dave Ben and Nate Edwards added 17 points a piece. Stephen Dennis chipped in with 13 points. For the game, KU shot 49.3 percent from the floor and it was the team's fourth straight win.

MU comes into this game with a 17-6 overall record and is 6-2 in PSAC East play. The Marauders have only lost one conference game since losing to KU last month. CU defeated MU by 30 points on January 30. MU's last victim was also BU as they won 76-67. Charlie Parker led MU with 23 points, while Cory Bray added 22 points, including six three-pointers. MU is led by Reggie Bates, who averages 19.4 points per game and five rebounds. Parker adds 15. 3 points per game. MU as a team only shoots 26.6 percent from beyond the arc.

The last time these two teams met was back on January 23. KU won 78-60 and defeated MU for the sixth straight time. KU was led by Woodlin who had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Dennis had 14 points, and left for part of the game with hip and tailbone injuries. Jeremy Coombs added 13 points and eight rebounds. Bates led MU with 21 points and eight rebounds. Parker added 18 points and eight boards, while Bernard Brown added 14 points. MU's head coach Fred Thompson was ejected with 57.8 seconds left in the game after picking up his second technical foul of the evening. MU was 1-of-18 from beyond the arc, while KU was 4-of-9. KU also outrebounded MU 46-35.

Probable Starters:
Kutztown:
G- #14 Stephen Dennis
G- #32 Andre Woodlin
G/F- #34 Dave Ben
F- #52 Ryan Washington
C- #55 Jeremy Coombs

Millersville:
G- #3 Charlie Parker
G- #20 Cory Bray
G/F- #22 Reggie Bates
F- #42 RayQuan Miles
F- #44 Bernard Brown

Prediction:

KU has turned the tide lately in its series with MU, and has shown that its not intimated when playing at Puscillo Gymnasium. KU won their last year 67-64. MU is 10-1 overall at home this year, and will be looking to prove that KU's 18-point win last month was a fluke. KU proved that it had more talent than MU last time, and with a home playoff game on the line, the Golden Bears will find a way to win a close one.

Kutztown 75
Millersville 71