BLUE DRAGON MEN'S BASKETBALL |
Hutchinson (8-3, 7-3) at Garden City (7-4, 6-4) |
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When: Saturday, March 6, 2021 |
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team is one of the top defensive teams in the Jayhawk Conference in 2021.
But several times this season, the Blue Dragons have been hurt by opposing 3-point shooting. Saturday's opponent, the Garden City Broncbusters, are just such a team.
The Blue Dragons (9-3, 8-3 Jayhawk West) will look to maintain their hold on first place in the conference when they travel to Garden City to face the Broncbusters at 4 p.m. in Conestoga Arena.
Winners of three games in a row, the Broncbusters are the No. 3-ranked 3-point shooting team in the Jayhawk Conference at 36.6 percent. The Busters average 10.0 made 3s per game. They have four games of 10 or more 3s, including a torrid shooting night on Wednesday at Seward County where Garden City knocked down 17 of 28 from distance.
Hutchinson is fourth in the KJCCC in scoring defense at 74.8 points per game and second in total field goal defense at 37.8 percent. But the Dragons rank 10th in 3-point defense at 34.2 percent with an average of 9.5 3-pointers made.
Opposing teams have made 73 more 3-pointers than Hutchinson this season.
The Dragons have countered with a big inside game with sophomores Matt Mayers and Majok Kuath leading the way.
Mayers, a four-time KJCCC Player of the Week, has six-straight double-doubles. He comes off a 27-point, career-high 17-rebound game against Pratt on Wednesday. Kuath is averaging 16.7 points, 18.8 points over his last five games.
To add to the Blue Dragon offense was the return of guard Josh Baker, who missed nine games because of injury. He came off the bench on Wednesday in Hutchins's 92-87 win over Pratt. Baker named 3 of 3 from 3-point range and finished with 13 points.
Cole Dewey is Garden City's first-year head coach. The Busters have won three straight and 5 of 7.
Four players average in double figures for Garden City, led by Denver Jones at 19.1 points per game and 43.4 percent from 3-point range. J.J. Watson averages 13.5 points per game.