SFA (18-3, 9-1) vs. Sam Houston (15-6, 8-2)
WHEN: FEB 1 (SAT) 5:30 P.M.
WHERE: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum (Huntsville, TX)
WATCH: ESPN3
SFA v. Sam. We're here. We knew if we played they way we could and Sam played the way they could, we would end up here. #1 against #2. Nicholls blew it last night so now they're #3. Everyone knew that this was probably the only game this conference season that the Jacks would be underdogs. Everyone has been waiting for this game. Heck, even Duke fans have been waiting for this game. This is the game to lay it all on the line and see who comes up with all the marbles. Who are the big boys of the SLC? Saturday night will sort it out.
"Now wait" you're saying. "If we lose this game we'll still be tied for first." Ok, this is true. But, this is our year. This is the Duke year. This is Kevon, John, and Nate's year. This is the year we brush off all those teams that got hope after our nightmare of a season. We have four more wins than all of last year with more than 10 to go. We are not going to play around with the Bearkats and know that we'll see them again...and that only the tourney counts. We're hungry. We want to crush them at their house. We want them wishing that they played in the SWAC. We're coming to let them know that Johnson Coliseum is our house no matter the town.
Now this isn't the Jason "Whata" Hooten team from last year that beat us by 22. (Could have been 50 but their hands got tired from all the high fives.) The Delaney brothers are gone. This is Kai Mitchell's (6'7" Sr F) team now. They play guard heavy with a lot of three shots. The distribute well, steal well, and force turnovers. Bottom line, they score. They are tied with the Jacks with a scoring average of 80.9 points per game.
They regularly play 11 men, and they all score. They do foul a lot, but their depth keeps them in games. They will not be an easy out.
It's defense that will win. The Jacks are in the unenviable position of the third worst in the nation at turning the ball over. However, we have forced more than 100 more turnovers the we have committed, but it's not enough to get 10 fast breaks in this game. We need to be locked down. We know we're getting the full Comeaux, but we need Bain, Kevon, Roti, and our bigs to play like nothing gets to go in that hoop. They did excellent against ACU with firm defense and a few fouls. The game plan will be the same as it has through the last two weeks: work the inside, deny the lane, force the point guard the wrong way, get in all the passing lanes, and don't foul too much.
All eyes are focused on this game, but our coach knows that this game affects seeding - not only at Katy- but also in the NCAA's. Lose this game and getting that 12 or 13 seed becomes a lot tougher. This game is our chance to prove that we're a solid (if not under appreciated) top 100 team. All predictions have this as a one point game with the winner depending on which site you check. The Jacks have been prepping for this test. They're ready. I'll see you in the purple sea in Huntsville.
Axe 'em!
WHEN: FEB 1 (SAT) 5:30 P.M.
WHERE: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum (Huntsville, TX)
WATCH: ESPN3
SFA v. Sam. We're here. We knew if we played they way we could and Sam played the way they could, we would end up here. #1 against #2. Nicholls blew it last night so now they're #3. Everyone knew that this was probably the only game this conference season that the Jacks would be underdogs. Everyone has been waiting for this game. Heck, even Duke fans have been waiting for this game. This is the game to lay it all on the line and see who comes up with all the marbles. Who are the big boys of the SLC? Saturday night will sort it out.
"Now wait" you're saying. "If we lose this game we'll still be tied for first." Ok, this is true. But, this is our year. This is the Duke year. This is Kevon, John, and Nate's year. This is the year we brush off all those teams that got hope after our nightmare of a season. We have four more wins than all of last year with more than 10 to go. We are not going to play around with the Bearkats and know that we'll see them again...and that only the tourney counts. We're hungry. We want to crush them at their house. We want them wishing that they played in the SWAC. We're coming to let them know that Johnson Coliseum is our house no matter the town.
Now this isn't the Jason "Whata" Hooten team from last year that beat us by 22. (Could have been 50 but their hands got tired from all the high fives.) The Delaney brothers are gone. This is Kai Mitchell's (6'7" Sr F) team now. They play guard heavy with a lot of three shots. The distribute well, steal well, and force turnovers. Bottom line, they score. They are tied with the Jacks with a scoring average of 80.9 points per game.
They regularly play 11 men, and they all score. They do foul a lot, but their depth keeps them in games. They will not be an easy out.
It's defense that will win. The Jacks are in the unenviable position of the third worst in the nation at turning the ball over. However, we have forced more than 100 more turnovers the we have committed, but it's not enough to get 10 fast breaks in this game. We need to be locked down. We know we're getting the full Comeaux, but we need Bain, Kevon, Roti, and our bigs to play like nothing gets to go in that hoop. They did excellent against ACU with firm defense and a few fouls. The game plan will be the same as it has through the last two weeks: work the inside, deny the lane, force the point guard the wrong way, get in all the passing lanes, and don't foul too much.
All eyes are focused on this game, but our coach knows that this game affects seeding - not only at Katy- but also in the NCAA's. Lose this game and getting that 12 or 13 seed becomes a lot tougher. This game is our chance to prove that we're a solid (if not under appreciated) top 100 team. All predictions have this as a one point game with the winner depending on which site you check. The Jacks have been prepping for this test. They're ready. I'll see you in the purple sea in Huntsville.
Axe 'em!
Ryan
Kinnaird Guitars
Kinnaird Guitars