Northern Kentucky fell to UT Martin 83-79 in its exhibition opener, but the Norse showed some encouraging signs despite coming up short. Eric Acker led the way with a tremendous performance, while Willie Foster brought an explosive athletic presence to the floor. There were also some clear areas for improvement, particularly on the glass and from beyond the arc.

The starting 5 tonight included Ethan Elliot, Eric Acker, BJ Davis-Ray, Noah Pagotto, and Will Shortt. Will did not play in his first 2 games this preseason, and will need to get up to game speed quickly. Willie Foster will be the sixth man, and as we’ll get into later, don’t be surprised if he’s starting by year’s end.

This was the third scrimmage that NKU has played this preseason. It’s the final one they will play. The results are closed and we won’t get those results. However, from what we’ve learned, the Norse have gradually improved over each game. Eric Acker has improved in each of the three, with his most notable performance being tonight’s explosion.

Eric Acker is The Leader

Eric Acker delivered one of the biggest positives of the night, scoring 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting. He looked comfortable and poised throughout the game, playing with the confidence of a veteran. Acker did more than put points on the board. He looked capable of leading this team, and his composure stood out in a game where NKU needed someone to step up offensively.

BJ Davis-Ray Shows Physical Tools Despite Shooting Struggles

BJ Davis-Ray finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, but he struggled to capitalize on some clean looks, shooting 4-of-16 from the field. The shooting numbers weren’t pretty, but Davis still showed why his physical presence matters. He has the size and strength to impact a game in multiple ways, and his nine rebounds reflected that. NKU will need him to be much more efficient throughout the season.

Willie Foster’s Athleticism Stands Out

Willie Foster is the type of player who can change a game with his athleticism alone. He moves effortlessly through the air and brings an explosiveness that can energize the entire team. His ability to attack the rim and make plays above the basket gives NKU a different dimension offensively. Foster has the tools to become a real difference-maker, and his athletic ability should make him an exciting player to watch this season. He is the kind of player who may force his way into the starting 5 by season end.

Rebounding the Glass

UT Martin’s size advantage showed up on the glass. The Skyhawks out rebounded NKU 42-33, including a 12-9 advantage on the offensive boards. That difference helped UT Martin generate 17 second-chance points compared to NKU’s 11.

The Norse need more physicality from their bigs. They have to do a better job establishing position, boxing out and finishing possessions with rebounds. NKU won’t always have the size advantage, so its frontcourt players must compete harder in the paint and make opponents work for every possession.

Three Point Shooting Holds NKU Back

NKU also struggled to find its rhythm from deep, knocking down just 8 of 27 three-point attempts 29.6%. The Norse shot 25-of-65 overall, or 38.5%, and that outside shooting performance made it harder to keep pace with UT Martin’s offense.

The Norse don’t need to turn into a lights-out shooting team overnight, but they will need to convert more open looks to give their offense better balance. Better shooting would also make it tougher for opposing defenses to pack the paint and limit NKU’s athletic players around the basket.

Coach Horn’s Second-Half Press Offers Encouragement

One of the most encouraging takeaways came from Coach Horn’s decision to implement more pressing and trapping in the second half. The defensive pressure helped shift the momentum toward NKU, and the Norse responded with a stronger offensive half, scoring 48 points after halftime compared to 31 in the first half.

The pressure also helped NKU force turnovers and create opportunities in transition. The Norse finished with 25 points off turnovers, compared to 15 for UT Martin. NKU forced 23 total turnovers, while NKU turned it over 15 times.

That defensive approach gives NKU something to build on. If the Norse can consistently create pressure, speed up opponents and turn defensive stops into easy baskets, they could develop a useful weapon as the season progresses.

Final Thoughts

An exhibition loss isn’t the result NKU wanted, but there are positives to take away from the 83-79 defeat. Acker showed leadership and scoring ability, Davis demonstrated his physical presence on the boards, and Foster provided the kind of athleticism that can change a game. Coach Horn also found a way to generate momentum through second-half defensive pressure.

Postgame, coach Horn spoke very highly of the way the team continues to give increasing effort, pointing out several instances where the Norse were on the floor diving for loose balls. He also was encouraged by the development game over game.

The next step is turning those flashes into consistent production. NKU must rebound better, play with more physicality inside and take advantage of open shots. The Norse have pieces to work with, and this game offered an early look at both their potential and the areas that still need attention.

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