SFA (0-0) vs. LeTourneau (0-0)
WHEN: DEC 1 (TUE) 6:30P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPN+
Finally it looks as if the 2020-21 Lumberjack basketball season will start on Tuesday. (No promises though.) Kyle Keller is looking forward to getting his fifth campaign underway as the reigning Southland Coach of the Year. His overall 28-41 record was heavily impacted by the NCAA sanctions, but he is coming off a 28-3 season that saw him win a record 19 Southland Conference regular season games and of course the upset of the year. Might as well take a two hour break from reading this preview and watch it here:
Now that we have that out of the way, Keller is about to put his coaching accolades to the test. For the first time in his SFA career, there is no Kevon. No superstar, no points leader, no "this is our man." Looking to fill the void is Gavin Kensmil - the best big in the SLC who loves to get scrappy on the floor. He's been picked as a preseason first teamer and by several as the pick for POY, but the real question is he going to step up to be the leader of this team. It's been several years since a big really put the team on his back, will this be Gavin's year?
Next question is the point. As the point goes, so goes the season. This has been the motto of the Keller years so far. He started by swinging Dallas Cameron over to the point in a rough first year that allowed Aaron Augustin to develop. Year two was a success behind a solid Augustin performance backed by a then new and excitable transfer John Comeaux. The third year was a train wreck seeing both Augustin leave the team mid-year and Comeaux sidelined with injuries. Last year Comeaux was the heart and soul of the team by running an efficient offense and being the head of the defense. Behind him, Kalcheries played a decent second hand with Ware and Kevon supporting from time to time.
Kalcheries is the heir apparent for the PG position. He knows that he's going to have to be more confident and mature with his ball handling to see success. Newcomer Nigel Hawkins and redshirt freshman Kharee McDaniel look like they will be running rotation behind David. Add Ware and possibly Posey behind that, and you have one of the deepest point guard teams in years. Will they deliver? This first game will give us a first look. The blessing of this season is a fairly benign schedule that will allow Keller to develop the position he needs - and he needs a solid point.
Roti Ware, Cam Johnson, and Calvin Solomon provide the strongest 2-4 line-up that the Jacks have had to start a season since the Underwood years. They should easily account for 20 ppg with about as many rebounds easy. If they can pump that up to about 40 ppg with 25+ rebounds, this could be an incredible year for SFA. Watch these three guys' stats to see how the season will fare. Bench play is going to be huge, but these guys have to be leaders.
Daniels, Heckard, Brown, Nana will be the big defense against mid-game lapses. This big, high energy players are going to be the unsung heroes for this COVID season. They have to be ready to play at all times. With no clear superstar out of the gate, a team mentality is a major necessity for the year, and our bench has to be invested all the time. With no eligibility restrictions this year expect Keller to let these guys run wild.
--------------------------
It's looking like LeTourneau will end up being the opener for the season for the Lumberjacks. They haven't played yet this year, but they have had a scrappy team the last couple of seasons. SFA has had a hard time putting away these tune-up teams the past couple of years. Hopefully Tuesday night will be an exception. On paper, SFA outmatches them on every level, but one never knows until the team gets on the court.
It's that time of the year where we get to return to our happy place. There will be fewer of us there and we'll be spread out, but it just means that we can shout louder and have more leg space. Come out and back the Jacks (or be safe and yell at your TV screen and post here.) Are you ready? Axe 'em Jacks!
WHEN: DEC 1 (TUE) 6:30P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPN+
Finally it looks as if the 2020-21 Lumberjack basketball season will start on Tuesday. (No promises though.) Kyle Keller is looking forward to getting his fifth campaign underway as the reigning Southland Coach of the Year. His overall 28-41 record was heavily impacted by the NCAA sanctions, but he is coming off a 28-3 season that saw him win a record 19 Southland Conference regular season games and of course the upset of the year. Might as well take a two hour break from reading this preview and watch it here:
Now that we have that out of the way, Keller is about to put his coaching accolades to the test. For the first time in his SFA career, there is no Kevon. No superstar, no points leader, no "this is our man." Looking to fill the void is Gavin Kensmil - the best big in the SLC who loves to get scrappy on the floor. He's been picked as a preseason first teamer and by several as the pick for POY, but the real question is he going to step up to be the leader of this team. It's been several years since a big really put the team on his back, will this be Gavin's year?
Next question is the point. As the point goes, so goes the season. This has been the motto of the Keller years so far. He started by swinging Dallas Cameron over to the point in a rough first year that allowed Aaron Augustin to develop. Year two was a success behind a solid Augustin performance backed by a then new and excitable transfer John Comeaux. The third year was a train wreck seeing both Augustin leave the team mid-year and Comeaux sidelined with injuries. Last year Comeaux was the heart and soul of the team by running an efficient offense and being the head of the defense. Behind him, Kalcheries played a decent second hand with Ware and Kevon supporting from time to time.
Kalcheries is the heir apparent for the PG position. He knows that he's going to have to be more confident and mature with his ball handling to see success. Newcomer Nigel Hawkins and redshirt freshman Kharee McDaniel look like they will be running rotation behind David. Add Ware and possibly Posey behind that, and you have one of the deepest point guard teams in years. Will they deliver? This first game will give us a first look. The blessing of this season is a fairly benign schedule that will allow Keller to develop the position he needs - and he needs a solid point.
Roti Ware, Cam Johnson, and Calvin Solomon provide the strongest 2-4 line-up that the Jacks have had to start a season since the Underwood years. They should easily account for 20 ppg with about as many rebounds easy. If they can pump that up to about 40 ppg with 25+ rebounds, this could be an incredible year for SFA. Watch these three guys' stats to see how the season will fare. Bench play is going to be huge, but these guys have to be leaders.
Daniels, Heckard, Brown, Nana will be the big defense against mid-game lapses. This big, high energy players are going to be the unsung heroes for this COVID season. They have to be ready to play at all times. With no clear superstar out of the gate, a team mentality is a major necessity for the year, and our bench has to be invested all the time. With no eligibility restrictions this year expect Keller to let these guys run wild.
--------------------------
It's looking like LeTourneau will end up being the opener for the season for the Lumberjacks. They haven't played yet this year, but they have had a scrappy team the last couple of seasons. SFA has had a hard time putting away these tune-up teams the past couple of years. Hopefully Tuesday night will be an exception. On paper, SFA outmatches them on every level, but one never knows until the team gets on the court.
It's that time of the year where we get to return to our happy place. There will be fewer of us there and we'll be spread out, but it just means that we can shout louder and have more leg space. Come out and back the Jacks (or be safe and yell at your TV screen and post here.) Are you ready? Axe 'em Jacks!
Ryan
Kinnaird Guitars
Kinnaird Guitars
