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KENNESAW - It's still a work in progress for the Kennesaw State men's basketball team.

The Owls have lost six straight and are still solidifying their starting five as well as finding a fulltime point guard.

Freshman Kelvin McConnell will be called upon to lead the floor in KSU's Atlantic Sun Conference opener against Mercer at 7:30 p.m. tonight inside the KSU Convocation Center. It will make his third start.

McConnell got the starting nod in the Owls' 84-68 loss to Nicholls State last week in the Duel of the Desert tournament in Las Vegas and apparently got rid of the jitters he had in his first start at Auburn in November. The former Whitefield Academy standout tied for the team lead with 19 points against the Colonels.

Not only will McConnell lead the floor for the Owls (2-11), KSU coach Tony Ingle said he will also be responsible for covering Mercer's James Florence, who is second in the Atlantic Sun with 17.5 points per game. The former Wheeler High star posted 18 points and seven rebounds Wednesday in the Bears' 102-99 loss to VMI.

"Everything starts with a point guard in basketball," Ingle said. "Kelvin is the one. He's our guy. Kelvin ran the floor really well (against Nicholls State)."

McConnell starting at point guard will allow Shuan Stegall to move back into his comfort zone inside the paint as a starting forward. The 6-foot-7 senior, who has logged many minutes on the perimeter this season - including at point guard - averages 12.8 points and leads with 6.9 rebounds a contest.

Fellow senior Ronell Wooten, who is set to play in his 100th game for the Owls tonight, will start at guard alongside McConnell. Wooten is currently the team leader with 16.1 points a game.

The Bears know that slowing down Stegall and Wooten is going to be key to getting a victory.

"We know that (KSU has) been struggling, but they have good players in Wooten and Stegall," said Florence, who scored 30 in the Bears' season-opening win at then-No. 18 Southern Cal. "If we're going to have success, we have to limit their production."

Jon-Michael Nickeron is penciled in to be a starting guard, while Tanner Jacobs is projected to start in the frontcourt for the Owls. Lassiter alumnus J.D. Pollock, Keonte Keith, former Marietta standout Ryan Daugherty and Jonathan Whipple will be the top contributors off the bench.

Ingle said Mercer (5-8) is capable of running an uptempo offense and can also slow it down when called upon. The Bears have four starters with double-digit scoring averages - Florence, guard Shaddean Aaron (15.2), and forwards Brian Pfohl (12.5) and Calvin Henry (10.5).

"We're going to have to play good in every aspect," Ingle said. "The offense is going to have to play well and the defense is going to have to play well. Florence is good. He scores inside and out. We're hoping that Shuan will help us on the boards. We need to come out and play and adjust when we need to."

The Kennesaw State women will open their Atlantic Sun slate against Mercer at home at 3 p.m. Coach Colby Tilley said the Lady Owls are playing well, having won two of their last three games, and hopes they can carry it over into conference play.

Forward Britteny Henderson was named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the week for her performance in the Georgia Tech Holiday Tournament, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds. Greteya Kelley is leading the conference in steals with 48.

acarrington@mdjonline.com

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