Davidson is very beatable. They're kind of a two-man show. In conference Gibbs and Aldridge combine for almost 41 points per game. No one else is over 10 ppg. They really struggle to score when they don't have Gibbs and Aldridge on the floor at the same time, which is probably why they're both playing over 36 mpg.
Aldridge is a true stretch 4 who's been putting up POY numbers and that's what worries me. He's averaging 21 points + 8.6 rebounds and shooting 44% from 3. Jalen probably starts on Magarity, Davidson's 6'11" center, which means Jaire gets the pleasure of chasing Aldridge around. Stretch 4s have put up big numbers against us (Cavanaugh, Cline, even Jalen Johnson kind of fits this mold) in part because Jaire will switch off heavily and let even smaller guards take them for possessions. I don't know why we do this but Cavanaugh killed us in the GW game because he kept getting switched onto Otis.
Otis probably spends the most time checking Gibbs, which is also a mismatch in Davidson's favor. This is a game where Ian's defense and five extra fouls would be great, but we'll have to make do. This is a very winnable game if we keep Aldridge in check, keep the rebounding battle close, and get scoring from our four core starters, because we can't count on points from the bench with Boyd and Newman out.
Aldridge is a true stretch 4 who's been putting up POY numbers and that's what worries me. He's averaging 21 points + 8.6 rebounds and shooting 44% from 3. Jalen probably starts on Magarity, Davidson's 6'11" center, which means Jaire gets the pleasure of chasing Aldridge around. Stretch 4s have put up big numbers against us (Cavanaugh, Cline, even Jalen Johnson kind of fits this mold) in part because Jaire will switch off heavily and let even smaller guards take them for possessions. I don't know why we do this but Cavanaugh killed us in the GW game because he kept getting switched onto Otis.
Otis probably spends the most time checking Gibbs, which is also a mismatch in Davidson's favor. This is a game where Ian's defense and five extra fouls would be great, but we'll have to make do. This is a very winnable game if we keep Aldridge in check, keep the rebounding battle close, and get scoring from our four core starters, because we can't count on points from the bench with Boyd and Newman out.
