Scouting Notes: Kennesaw State

Indiana basketball gets back on the court on Friday night for the last non-conference matchup before Big Ten play resumes next week.

Kennesaw State comes to Assembly Hall as one of the most explosive and quickest offenses in the entire nation. The Owls are led by first-year head coach Antoine Pettway and enter at 9-4 overall. They are a fast paced offense that like to get numerous possessions to make up for some of the inefficiencies it has offensively. The Owls rank 176th in offensive efficiency with a 104.2 rating. They rank 184th in effective field goal rate (49.8). Defensively, Kennesaw State ranks 249th in efficiency with a rating of 107.4. Overall, they rank 209 in KenPom.

Here is a deep dive into some of the challenges Kennesaw State could give the Indiana basketball program.

Key Players

While he’s not the top scorer, the offense runs through Terrell Burden nonstop on every possession. Burden is a short but physical lead guard who is extremely crafty and purposeful with every dribble. Burden averages 6.2 assists per game and has a 35.7 percent assist rate. He does a tremendous job attacking the basket and once he’s 15-feet and in, is extremely difficult to stop. He has a good floater that he utilizes to get his shot off over bigger defenders and uses that to set up his passing ability for a drop off to one of his bigs, or a kick out to a wing. Burden is best in the paint and does a tremendous job drawing contact. He ranks 33rd in the country in fouls drawn and attempts 6.6 free throws per game — making just 59.3 percent, however.

In the backcourt with Burden is Simeon Cottle. Cottle has emerged as a terrific player this season after playing a reserve role last year. He’s averaging a team-high 16.3 points this season but isn’t super efficient. He’s shooting just 41 percent overall on 13.5 attempts per game and has had six games at 37 percent or less from the floor. Cottle’s game starts from the perimeter and moves in. 54 percent of his shot attempts this season are from three but he’s shooting just 33 percent on the year. He’s streaky which has allowed him to hit at least three 3s in seven games this year. He has a good first step, but he’s not going to blast by a defender with his speed. He has good length and an ability to finish around contact at the rim.

Desmond Robinson is a physical front court player who has a very good frame on him. He sees most of his work come inside of the paint and elbow-extended and has good touch on his shot. He has solid footwork and soft hands that help with finishing over longer defenders. Robinson can extend his range out to the perimeter but he’s streaky at best from three. He’s shooting 26.8 percent on 3s this season and has three games with more than one three. Four of his 11 made 3s came against Presbyterian earlier this month. Robinson is a terrific rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. He’s averaging 3.4 offensive rebounds per game and is third in the A-Sun in offensive rebounds (18th nationally). Defensively, Robinson’s physical nature impacts numerous post players and makes life difficult on opponents. He isn’t a huge shot blocker but averages 1.2 a game. It’s more his strength and physicality that is more in play. The bigs for Indiana basketball need to be ready for that type of contact in the paint.

Quincy Ademokoya is another wing who has a good ability to score, and is one of the more efficient scorers on the team. He is best on the perimeter, however. 67 percent of his shot attempts per game come from three and he’s making 38.4 percent on the year. He’s made at least one three in all but two games this year and has made multiple in eight games — with three games of at least four 3s. 60 percent of his made field goals this season are from three. Ademokoya is going to be much more of a catch and shoot perimeter player rather than creating for himself. So, once Cottle and Burden get into the paint, the Indiana basketball wings need to be very aware of where Ademokoya is at all times.

Coming off of the bench is a versatile wing in Jamel King. The West Virginia transfer is averaging 9.8 points per game and can score in a few ways. He has good size at 6-foot-7 and is aggressive attacking the basket. King can hit from three but regardless of if the shots are going down, he’s not gun shy. He’s attempting 5.2 3s per game but hitting just 32.4 percent. With his length and athleticism, he still likes to attack the basket and play in the paint. He’s the streakiest of all of the Kennesaw State players, so Indiana needs to do understand all he needs is one shot to go in. He’s scored 13+ points off of the bench in three of the last four games.

Key Tendencies

Kennesaw State isn’t an overly efficient offensive team but it makes sure to see lots of possessions. The Owls are ranked first in the nation in adjusted tempo and second in possession length, according to KenPom. What does that translate to? Lots of transition. They rank third in the country in fast break points at nearly 19 a game. With numerous players who can get the rebound and lead the break, Indiana needs to be aware of everyone on the floor. When they are in a half court setting, they are extremely perimeter-oriented. They rank sixth in the country in 3s attempted per game with 30.5 — hitting just 31.1 percent. Six different players attempt at least three 3s per game.

Defensively, Indiana needs to take advantage of the foul trouble that Kennesaw State has. It ranks 347th nationally in free throw rate, allowing over 25 percent of opponents points to come from the foul line. Indiana’s offense ranks 15th in foul rate. Most of Kennesaw State’s transition opportunities come from getting in the passing lines, forcing 16 turnovers per game and averaging 8.5 steals per game. Indiana will once again have another advantage in the paint, something it will need to take advantage of on Friday night.

Overall, Indiana basketball needs to limit — as much as it can — the easy transition opportunities for the Owls. That is option one, two and three in their offense. After that, it’s live or die by the three. They have shot above 36 percent in five games this season, but have also shot below 30 percent in six games. Regardless, they are going to shoot, with six games of at least 30 attempted 3s.

Projected Starters

G – Terrell Burden (Senior; 5-10, 160)

Stats: 13.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.2 apg

G – Simeon Cottle (Sophomore; 6-1, 165)

Stats: 16.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 33% 3pt

G – Quincy Ademokoya (Senior; 6-6, 185)

Stats: 11.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 38.4% 3pt

F – Desmond Robinson (Senior; 6-8, 255)

Stats: 12.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg

F – Rongie Gordon (Senior; 6-7, 230)

Stats: 4.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg

Key Notes

• 9 wins is the most Kennesaw State has had in its non-conference slate in program history
• The Owls are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in tempo
• The Owls are coming off of their first-ever winning season as a D1 program
• Kennesaw State has five players averaging 10+ points per game
• Indiana basketball leads the all-time series 3-0

SEE ALSO: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from the Indiana basketball non-conference schedule

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