SFA (20-3, 11-1) vs. New Orleans (7-15, 3-9)
WHEN: FEB 8 (SAT) 4:30 P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPN+
For the sixth time in the past decade, the SFA Lumberjacks have 20 wins and still have the even more impressive 30 win season still in view. Much was made of the past 5 games that started with three teams within a game and a half of SFA in the standings. After a straight sweep of all five, the Jacks are now 3 games up on the entire Southland field with only 8 games remaining in the season. However, this team isn't done. They have their sights set on something more: winning in the NCAA tournament. To do that, they know that there is no room for error going forward - definitely not during the Cram the Coliseum game against the last place team in the league.
Last time we met New Orleans at their place, the Jacks were expecting the strong physical play that the Privateers have exhibited the last few seasons. While they got it for about twenty-five minutes, the Jacks' depth completely overwhelmed UNO giving SFA a 19 point cruising win. Since then New Orleans has been in utter free fall. The losses are piling up and the team is thinking about next season or Mardi Gras or something other than their current situation. But, beating SFA on their home court would be a nice feather in the cap for this stinker of a season. The Jacks can't take the weekend off.
Last time, Bryson Robinson went off for 28 points in a Sisyphean effort without any team support. Expect him to get his points again, but with Daniels becoming more effective at the post position, he probably won't get 25 this time. Schlessinger didn't hold the zone when we played them last time in order to match our physicality. He quickly realized that he didn't have a match. Expect the Jacks to see more of a slouching zone to affect our speed - and even more press. He's going to pull out the deep end of the play book because this is the closest they will be getting to Katy at this point. It could be crazy in front of the big crowd.
Bench play has been the strength of this team defensively and the weakness offensively. Kevon is not playing at full speed right now. That's not going to keep him from being effective, but this is the time our offensive weapons need to wake up. Roti and Bain have taken on the lion's share in the last few games, but Saturday needs to be the day David and Cam find their rhythm. It's starting to be a bonafide slump for those two - especially David. Solomon was effective again in his limited minutes Wednesday night, but the key to winning this season is keeping the Kensmil/Daniels/Solomon rotation rolling. They have been the rock of this team.
It's party time at WRJ! Bring the noise to see you first place Jacks keep New Orleans lost at sea. Let's Cram that Coliseum!
Axe 'em!
WHEN: FEB 8 (SAT) 4:30 P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPN+
For the sixth time in the past decade, the SFA Lumberjacks have 20 wins and still have the even more impressive 30 win season still in view. Much was made of the past 5 games that started with three teams within a game and a half of SFA in the standings. After a straight sweep of all five, the Jacks are now 3 games up on the entire Southland field with only 8 games remaining in the season. However, this team isn't done. They have their sights set on something more: winning in the NCAA tournament. To do that, they know that there is no room for error going forward - definitely not during the Cram the Coliseum game against the last place team in the league.
Last time we met New Orleans at their place, the Jacks were expecting the strong physical play that the Privateers have exhibited the last few seasons. While they got it for about twenty-five minutes, the Jacks' depth completely overwhelmed UNO giving SFA a 19 point cruising win. Since then New Orleans has been in utter free fall. The losses are piling up and the team is thinking about next season or Mardi Gras or something other than their current situation. But, beating SFA on their home court would be a nice feather in the cap for this stinker of a season. The Jacks can't take the weekend off.
Last time, Bryson Robinson went off for 28 points in a Sisyphean effort without any team support. Expect him to get his points again, but with Daniels becoming more effective at the post position, he probably won't get 25 this time. Schlessinger didn't hold the zone when we played them last time in order to match our physicality. He quickly realized that he didn't have a match. Expect the Jacks to see more of a slouching zone to affect our speed - and even more press. He's going to pull out the deep end of the play book because this is the closest they will be getting to Katy at this point. It could be crazy in front of the big crowd.
Bench play has been the strength of this team defensively and the weakness offensively. Kevon is not playing at full speed right now. That's not going to keep him from being effective, but this is the time our offensive weapons need to wake up. Roti and Bain have taken on the lion's share in the last few games, but Saturday needs to be the day David and Cam find their rhythm. It's starting to be a bonafide slump for those two - especially David. Solomon was effective again in his limited minutes Wednesday night, but the key to winning this season is keeping the Kensmil/Daniels/Solomon rotation rolling. They have been the rock of this team.
It's party time at WRJ! Bring the noise to see you first place Jacks keep New Orleans lost at sea. Let's Cram that Coliseum!
Axe 'em!
Ryan
Kinnaird Guitars
Kinnaird Guitars
