SFA (17-3, 8-1) vs. Abilene Christian (11-8, 6-2)
WHEN: JAN 29 (WED) 7:30 P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPN+
Two down, three to go as SFA tours through a stretch of the toughest Southland teams. As it's slated as of today, we play 4th place ACU, 3rd place Sam, and 2nd place Nicholls in that order over the next 8 days. Three games to put SFA's definitive stamp on this season and distance between us and our rivals. Now the reality is that there's not 3 games ahead of us, there's at least 13 if we want to go to the NCAA's. But all that matters now is the game tomorrow. The grind starts here.
Abilene Christian is built like a basketball team should be. Good point guard, strong and physical shooting guards, deep bench, and a big 7 footer that half the time knows what a basketball is for. They play aggressive perimeter defense and deny the ball inside. Like Lamar, they don't consider shooting outside first. They pound the paint and try to break down the interior. They steal and turnover at a rate just slower than SFA. If there's a weakness to their game, it's that they foul a lot. (OK, not as much as us, but close)
Peyten Ricks (6'2" Sr. G) is hands down one of the best small guards in the conference. He will be a SLC first teamer unless something tragic happens. Last time out, ACU by all rights should have lost in Conway down three with 1 second left. Ricks is fouled on the desperation three, drills his three free throws, then nails the final layup to win in OT. Matched with Joe Pleasant (6'8" So. F), they have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. Big boy Kolton Kohl (7' Jr. C) does an okay job pushing his men around. Like all giants, sometimes he looks like his body has never caught a tiny ball before, but our bigs will again have to work hard.
Last year in Nac, three players scored all but 4 points for SFA. That will not happen this year. To beat the Wildcats, we're going to need full bench cooperation. O, Samazha, Charlie, and to be honest Cam have been struggling in the last few road games. We need everyone to feel the love at home.
Expect Keller to force the interior to work over ACU's zone play. However, unlike in the past, I think we will have free rein to shoot from distance. Breaking the perimeter pressure is going to be key. Shutting down Ricks' game will be a priority, but he will still get his points. Forcing him to pass to less competent teammates will be the game.
If Kevon gets more than 7 minutes of rest, we win this one. Rotation will be key, but SFA will pick it up at home. They're hungry.
Axe 'em!
WHEN: JAN 29 (WED) 7:30 P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPN+
Two down, three to go as SFA tours through a stretch of the toughest Southland teams. As it's slated as of today, we play 4th place ACU, 3rd place Sam, and 2nd place Nicholls in that order over the next 8 days. Three games to put SFA's definitive stamp on this season and distance between us and our rivals. Now the reality is that there's not 3 games ahead of us, there's at least 13 if we want to go to the NCAA's. But all that matters now is the game tomorrow. The grind starts here.
Abilene Christian is built like a basketball team should be. Good point guard, strong and physical shooting guards, deep bench, and a big 7 footer that half the time knows what a basketball is for. They play aggressive perimeter defense and deny the ball inside. Like Lamar, they don't consider shooting outside first. They pound the paint and try to break down the interior. They steal and turnover at a rate just slower than SFA. If there's a weakness to their game, it's that they foul a lot. (OK, not as much as us, but close)
Peyten Ricks (6'2" Sr. G) is hands down one of the best small guards in the conference. He will be a SLC first teamer unless something tragic happens. Last time out, ACU by all rights should have lost in Conway down three with 1 second left. Ricks is fouled on the desperation three, drills his three free throws, then nails the final layup to win in OT. Matched with Joe Pleasant (6'8" So. F), they have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. Big boy Kolton Kohl (7' Jr. C) does an okay job pushing his men around. Like all giants, sometimes he looks like his body has never caught a tiny ball before, but our bigs will again have to work hard.
Last year in Nac, three players scored all but 4 points for SFA. That will not happen this year. To beat the Wildcats, we're going to need full bench cooperation. O, Samazha, Charlie, and to be honest Cam have been struggling in the last few road games. We need everyone to feel the love at home.
Expect Keller to force the interior to work over ACU's zone play. However, unlike in the past, I think we will have free rein to shoot from distance. Breaking the perimeter pressure is going to be key. Shutting down Ricks' game will be a priority, but he will still get his points. Forcing him to pass to less competent teammates will be the game.
If Kevon gets more than 7 minutes of rest, we win this one. Rotation will be key, but SFA will pick it up at home. They're hungry.
Axe 'em!
Ryan
Kinnaird Guitars
Kinnaird Guitars
