
Southern Indiana and Buffalo play in NIT
Buffalo Bulls (26-7, 14-6 MAC) at Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (23-12, 14-9 OVC)
BOTTOM LINE: Southern Indiana plays Buffalo in the National Invitation Tournament.
The Screaming Eagles' record in OVC play is 14-9, and their record is 9-3 in non-conference play. Southern Indiana leads the OVC with 23.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Vanessa Shafford averaging 5.0.
The Bulls' record in MAC play is 14-6. Buffalo scores 73.5 points while outscoring opponents by 13.3 points per game.
Southern Indiana averages 71.5 points, 11.3 more per game than the 60.2 Buffalo gives up. Buffalo scores 10.5 more points per game (73.5) than Southern Indiana gives up (63.0).
TOP PERFORMERS: Meredith Raley is averaging 14.5 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Screaming Eagles. Shafford is averaging 12.2 points over the past 10 games.
Chellia Watson averages 1.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Bulls, scoring 20.5 points while shooting 31.9% from beyond the arc. Kirsten Lewis-Williams is averaging 12.7 points and 2.8 steals over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Screaming Eagles: 6-4, averaging 71.1 points, 34.7 rebounds, 15.5 assists, 8.2 steals and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.7 points per game.
Bulls: 7-3, averaging 70.0 points, 26.0 rebounds, 17.3 assists, 11.1 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.3 points.
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His 46 goals and 89 points were second in the league, which is quite impressive as a draft-eligible, even factoring in that he's a November birthdate playing his third season. He can really shoot it, has slick hands and is a big body on the wing at 6-1 and 205 pounds. That's the recipe for a power winger, and fittingly, he says the foundation of his game comes down to 'being hungry.' Advertisement 'Just always want to be better, want more — want to score more goals, more hits,' he said. 'It's just being hungry on the ice.' Carbonneau's comments on the physical side of the game give off a sort of old-school vibe, too. 'That pain,' he said, 'that feeling of getting hit or throwing a hit is always a good feeling for me.' That's pretty endearing to hear from a young player, and especially a talented scorer. As with Eklund, Carbonneau is a right-hand shot, which may not be ideal balance-wise. But again, that's a secondary factor if Detroit decides he's the player who best blends its preferences. The athletic tools pop, but if there are any points of hesitation on Carbonneau, they largely stem from the relative strength of the QMJHL — which can vary — and in some of the defensive details in his game. Pronman has a below-average grade on his hockey sense, and for a Red Wings team that tends to like responsible, two-way players, that's something to keep in mind. That said, after acknowledging some of the improvements he'll need to make defensively, he chalked up the work ahead mainly to needing to be more patient, rather than a willingness to defend. 'It's just being more consistent in that way. I'm willing to block a shot with my teeth if I have to,' he said. 'I'll go to the dentist if I need to. That's not a problem. It's just being more consistent as an 18-year-old. I'll be better at 20, for sure.' There's a lot to like on the highlight reel for Carbonneau, and if he can find that balance to become a reliable player, there's serious potential. Reschny is technically a center, but as a 5-11 forward who isn't a blazing skater, he could end up on the wing. Regardless, even if he's a bit undersized, the core traits are there as a skilled, smart, competitive forward — and he happens to shoot lefty. Advertisement Reschny certainly helped himself with his finish to the season, particularly his nine goals and 25 points in just 11 WHL playoff games. After putting up 92 points in 62 regular-season contests, that postseason performance was an exclamation point on his draft season. 'I think I just found my stride,' Reschny said. 'By no means was I playing bad or struggling. I think it was just a tough little stretch there in the first half, and I guess after the Top Prospects games and Christmas break, I really started playing good and better and better, and I didn't look back from there on out.' Certainly, his confidence grew from that, and he believes that in the playoffs, he proved he 'can play at the highest level and be a very impactful player.' As for what he notices about his game when he plays more confidently, Reschny said: 'I'm playing fast, I'm playing with that edge. It's pretty cliche for some guys, but I think I play with a bit of pissiness, and I think that plays into my style: playing hard, I'm a centerman, I'm all around the ice. I think when I'm playing that way and I've got that confidence, I'm going, I'm a threat offensively.' (Top photo of Victor Eklund: Bill Wippert / NHLI via Getty Images)