SFA (7-1) vs. Alabama (3-4)
WHEN: DEC 6 (FRI) 7:00 P.M.
WHERE: Coleman Coliseum (Tuscaloosa, AL)
WATCH: SEC Network+
The SFA Lumberjacks are coming to the end of their non-conference schedule, and I think most people would consider this a successful campaign so far. The only blemish on their record is a hard fought loss at Rutgers that saw the Jacks compete well except for a four minute span in the second half where they gave up 12 points. It was one of the rare times this season where the Jacks have gone cold on offense. Depth and defensive continuity have been the strengths of this Lumberjacks team, and these will be tested against the best team that we will face the rest of the regular season - Alabama.
Throw the record books out the window. These two teams have probably the most deceptive schedules that you can find. On the purple side, The Jacks haven't played anyone right? Unless if you count that trap game extraordinaire against #1 Duke who was caught dreaming about their turkey and pie and Michigan State. Sure we've handled business with all the sub-250 ranked schools we've played, but no one cares. Die hard fans know that what they saw in that Duke game is indicative of how the Jacks actually play on a night-in, night-out basis, but we haven't faced enough good competition. We shouldn't be ranked; we won't be ranked. We haven't played enough top competition. (Personally I think it's good coming off last year, but with the promise of this team, I know some wish they were more battle tested.)
On the Crimson Tide side, all they have really played is solid competition except Florida Atlantic. They have a top 50 SOS as a P5 school when it's the small schools that have the tough schedules. (UNO has the toughest, HBU #2 so far. SFA:287.) Penn, Rhode Island, Furman, North Carolina, Iowa State, Southern Miss - 3 wins and 3 losses over that stretch. Don't think the Jacks would have done so well - especially with a first year coach. The Tide is starting to roll as a unit, and they will be tough.
Alabama is another young team. Led by Kira Lewis, Jr. (So. 6'3" G), John Petty, Jr. (Jr. 6'5" G) and Graduate transfer James Bolden (6'0" G), this is a guard heavy team. They have some young players with size, but they try to beat you outside and then to the bucket with speed. They can play press and zone well, and when they go small (which is often), they have decent man-to-man pressure. They lack a consistent interior defense, but they have played a lot of teams that like to go to the bucket. They have been tested. They know who we are. This is not a trap game.
Statistically after the Arlington Baptist game, SFA was the national leader in three categories: steals, forced turnovers, and two point buckets. Think about that for a second. We take the ball away the most, and we score the most from close. Incredible. Alabama is not a leader in any statistical category. They are not even in the top 100 except for 3 pointers made. They are THE average team. Nothing terrible, nothing good. On paper, the Jacks should roll through the Crimson Tide. This is not a paper game. This is about who has more heart: a program who is sick and tired of teams coming into their house and winning or a team that wants to prove that they are not a fluke.
SFA must continue their defensive dominance. Alabama is going to try to keep us out of the paint. We cannot go cold like we did in the Rutgers game. They cannot have their statistically anomalous good shooting night. Alabama's football team is blessedly gone for the season. Let's help put this basketball season to rest for them as well.
Axe 'em!
WHEN: DEC 6 (FRI) 7:00 P.M.
WHERE: Coleman Coliseum (Tuscaloosa, AL)
WATCH: SEC Network+
The SFA Lumberjacks are coming to the end of their non-conference schedule, and I think most people would consider this a successful campaign so far. The only blemish on their record is a hard fought loss at Rutgers that saw the Jacks compete well except for a four minute span in the second half where they gave up 12 points. It was one of the rare times this season where the Jacks have gone cold on offense. Depth and defensive continuity have been the strengths of this Lumberjacks team, and these will be tested against the best team that we will face the rest of the regular season - Alabama.
Throw the record books out the window. These two teams have probably the most deceptive schedules that you can find. On the purple side, The Jacks haven't played anyone right? Unless if you count that trap game extraordinaire against #1 Duke who was caught dreaming about their turkey and pie and Michigan State. Sure we've handled business with all the sub-250 ranked schools we've played, but no one cares. Die hard fans know that what they saw in that Duke game is indicative of how the Jacks actually play on a night-in, night-out basis, but we haven't faced enough good competition. We shouldn't be ranked; we won't be ranked. We haven't played enough top competition. (Personally I think it's good coming off last year, but with the promise of this team, I know some wish they were more battle tested.)
On the Crimson Tide side, all they have really played is solid competition except Florida Atlantic. They have a top 50 SOS as a P5 school when it's the small schools that have the tough schedules. (UNO has the toughest, HBU #2 so far. SFA:287.) Penn, Rhode Island, Furman, North Carolina, Iowa State, Southern Miss - 3 wins and 3 losses over that stretch. Don't think the Jacks would have done so well - especially with a first year coach. The Tide is starting to roll as a unit, and they will be tough.
Alabama is another young team. Led by Kira Lewis, Jr. (So. 6'3" G), John Petty, Jr. (Jr. 6'5" G) and Graduate transfer James Bolden (6'0" G), this is a guard heavy team. They have some young players with size, but they try to beat you outside and then to the bucket with speed. They can play press and zone well, and when they go small (which is often), they have decent man-to-man pressure. They lack a consistent interior defense, but they have played a lot of teams that like to go to the bucket. They have been tested. They know who we are. This is not a trap game.
Statistically after the Arlington Baptist game, SFA was the national leader in three categories: steals, forced turnovers, and two point buckets. Think about that for a second. We take the ball away the most, and we score the most from close. Incredible. Alabama is not a leader in any statistical category. They are not even in the top 100 except for 3 pointers made. They are THE average team. Nothing terrible, nothing good. On paper, the Jacks should roll through the Crimson Tide. This is not a paper game. This is about who has more heart: a program who is sick and tired of teams coming into their house and winning or a team that wants to prove that they are not a fluke.
SFA must continue their defensive dominance. Alabama is going to try to keep us out of the paint. We cannot go cold like we did in the Rutgers game. They cannot have their statistically anomalous good shooting night. Alabama's football team is blessedly gone for the season. Let's help put this basketball season to rest for them as well.
Axe 'em!
Ryan
Kinnaird Guitars
Kinnaird Guitars
