SFA (11-2, 2-0) vs. Southeastern Louisiana (3-9, 0-1)
WHEN: JAN 2 (THU) 1:00 P.M.
WHERE: University Center (Hammond, LA)
WATCH: Youtube (SELA) <-- Live Link
It's time for the 2020 season to kick off in earnest - 16 Southland games in a row in a race to Katy. SFA starts primarily on the road playing 5 of the next 7 traveling around the South. They start with a 3 game tour of Louisiana and Arkansas beginning with the Southeastern Louisiana Lions Thursday afternoon. Being front-loaded in the first half of the SLC season with away games, the Jacks know that if they want the top seed at Katy, they have to win these crucial games now.
Keller's squad is still easing into conference play against another losing team after taking care of two other so-so teams in Houston Baptist and McNeese. The Lions are 3-9 this season playing alternately tough and terrible. They held the score to within 7 against Ole Miss, and then in the last game against Oklahoma State, they got blown out by more than 50 scoring only 31 points. Consistency has a major problem for first year coach David Kiefer.
Sophomore Ty Brewer (6' 7" F) has been the only real standout for SELA this season. He's the leading scorer (only player averaging double digits) and is the leading rebounder. After a quiet freshman year, he has turned it on. There will be a huge target on him on Thursday. Scoring and defense have been a big issue for the Lions, but to be fair, they do have a balanced squad between the front court and the back court. While their 3 point shooting has been atrocious, a good day could keep the team in the mix longer than necessary. Don't count out the home team advantage in the long bus ride. Those miles always make the road team sluggish.
The Lumberjacks have teed up the spring just like they wanted. They are on top and feel like the world is for the taking. But, this coaching unit knows that this is a grind. These months will stretch out. Now is the time to prove you are the best. The second team has been getting tons of playing time, and expect that to continue Thursday. Keller has to know he can rely on these guys: Cam, David, Calvin, Charlie, Sama'zha and Oddyst, if we're going to make any noise in the postseason. There will be a lot more balance (and potentially not as much scoring) in the games against lesser teams. Each game will have its own life, but look for an evenness in minutes.
We're going to get a big dose of bigs too. Kensmil and Daniels are proving that they can handle the inside. Solomon is good at getting his hands in the right (and sometimes wrong) places. Our front court is playing up to the recruited strength, and they are going to be the anchor for this squad's offense. Expect to see Keller to continue to jam the paint game in and game out. Kevon and Cam are both going to be pushing twenty points for the next couple of games, let's see who supports them with a nice shooting stroke.
Remember the early start Thursday. Axe 'em!
WHEN: JAN 2 (THU) 1:00 P.M.
WHERE: University Center (Hammond, LA)
WATCH: Youtube (SELA) <-- Live Link
It's time for the 2020 season to kick off in earnest - 16 Southland games in a row in a race to Katy. SFA starts primarily on the road playing 5 of the next 7 traveling around the South. They start with a 3 game tour of Louisiana and Arkansas beginning with the Southeastern Louisiana Lions Thursday afternoon. Being front-loaded in the first half of the SLC season with away games, the Jacks know that if they want the top seed at Katy, they have to win these crucial games now.
Keller's squad is still easing into conference play against another losing team after taking care of two other so-so teams in Houston Baptist and McNeese. The Lions are 3-9 this season playing alternately tough and terrible. They held the score to within 7 against Ole Miss, and then in the last game against Oklahoma State, they got blown out by more than 50 scoring only 31 points. Consistency has a major problem for first year coach David Kiefer.
Sophomore Ty Brewer (6' 7" F) has been the only real standout for SELA this season. He's the leading scorer (only player averaging double digits) and is the leading rebounder. After a quiet freshman year, he has turned it on. There will be a huge target on him on Thursday. Scoring and defense have been a big issue for the Lions, but to be fair, they do have a balanced squad between the front court and the back court. While their 3 point shooting has been atrocious, a good day could keep the team in the mix longer than necessary. Don't count out the home team advantage in the long bus ride. Those miles always make the road team sluggish.
The Lumberjacks have teed up the spring just like they wanted. They are on top and feel like the world is for the taking. But, this coaching unit knows that this is a grind. These months will stretch out. Now is the time to prove you are the best. The second team has been getting tons of playing time, and expect that to continue Thursday. Keller has to know he can rely on these guys: Cam, David, Calvin, Charlie, Sama'zha and Oddyst, if we're going to make any noise in the postseason. There will be a lot more balance (and potentially not as much scoring) in the games against lesser teams. Each game will have its own life, but look for an evenness in minutes.
We're going to get a big dose of bigs too. Kensmil and Daniels are proving that they can handle the inside. Solomon is good at getting his hands in the right (and sometimes wrong) places. Our front court is playing up to the recruited strength, and they are going to be the anchor for this squad's offense. Expect to see Keller to continue to jam the paint game in and game out. Kevon and Cam are both going to be pushing twenty points for the next couple of games, let's see who supports them with a nice shooting stroke.
Remember the early start Thursday. Axe 'em!
Ryan
Kinnaird Guitars
Kinnaird Guitars
