SFA (9-3, 5-1) vs. Sam Houston (13-5, 7-0)
WHEN: JAN 31 (SAT) 3:0P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPNU
Whenever we are driving down the road and see a group dressed in orange picking up trash and my kids ask me who they are I say, "Sam Houston Bearkats." Prison orange is a color all Lumberjacks despise. SFA purple is the color of royalty, trusted leadership, principle. Occasionally the state penitentiary will allow some men to get work release to fill their basketball team. This is all these guys have in their lives, and they play like it. But don't feel bad for them, it's part of their rehabilitation that SFA holds them down.
10 year head coach Jason Hooten has led Sam Houston to exactly 0 NCAA appearances. But every year, they manage to be in the thick of things near the end of the year constantly hoping "Is this the year?" They are trying to take advantage of the COVID-shortened year to sneak their way through. At 18 games played so far, they have more game experience than just about any unit in the nation.
Zach Nutall (Sr., 6' 3", G) is trying to lock up Southland Player of the Year leading his team with 20 points per game, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Close on his heels is his partner-in-crime Demarkus Lampley (Sr., 6' 2", G) with 16 ppg, 4 rebs, and 1 ast. With freshman star Bryce Monroe at point, their guard corps is the best in the SLC by most metrics. They shoot lots of threes and they steal a lot of balls. They play fast with a lot of quick transition and isolation work. They are good at team rebounding, but they do have a weakness: history. They don't believe they have it. They don't.
Last game out for the Jacks was disappointing for what this team would like to accomplish in a non-playoff year. They know that they still control their destiny though. Frontcourt foul trouble stifled their core game plan, but don't expect Keller to remake the wheel. Pounding pressure inside will break Sam, but our backcourt defense is going to be tested. David, Roti, and Cam will need to up their man-to-man protection. Hawkins and Heckard struggled with the speed of ACU's guards, but they will need to rebound for Sam.
This nationally televised game will be a nice showdown for these two teams. Both teams have been perfect at home but with shaky road records. The Jacks will get the home court advantage to start. The time for wound-licking is over. It's time for hunting again.
Axe 'em!
WHEN: JAN 31 (SAT) 3:0P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPNU
Whenever we are driving down the road and see a group dressed in orange picking up trash and my kids ask me who they are I say, "Sam Houston Bearkats." Prison orange is a color all Lumberjacks despise. SFA purple is the color of royalty, trusted leadership, principle. Occasionally the state penitentiary will allow some men to get work release to fill their basketball team. This is all these guys have in their lives, and they play like it. But don't feel bad for them, it's part of their rehabilitation that SFA holds them down.
10 year head coach Jason Hooten has led Sam Houston to exactly 0 NCAA appearances. But every year, they manage to be in the thick of things near the end of the year constantly hoping "Is this the year?" They are trying to take advantage of the COVID-shortened year to sneak their way through. At 18 games played so far, they have more game experience than just about any unit in the nation.
Zach Nutall (Sr., 6' 3", G) is trying to lock up Southland Player of the Year leading his team with 20 points per game, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Close on his heels is his partner-in-crime Demarkus Lampley (Sr., 6' 2", G) with 16 ppg, 4 rebs, and 1 ast. With freshman star Bryce Monroe at point, their guard corps is the best in the SLC by most metrics. They shoot lots of threes and they steal a lot of balls. They play fast with a lot of quick transition and isolation work. They are good at team rebounding, but they do have a weakness: history. They don't believe they have it. They don't.
Last game out for the Jacks was disappointing for what this team would like to accomplish in a non-playoff year. They know that they still control their destiny though. Frontcourt foul trouble stifled their core game plan, but don't expect Keller to remake the wheel. Pounding pressure inside will break Sam, but our backcourt defense is going to be tested. David, Roti, and Cam will need to up their man-to-man protection. Hawkins and Heckard struggled with the speed of ACU's guards, but they will need to rebound for Sam.
This nationally televised game will be a nice showdown for these two teams. Both teams have been perfect at home but with shaky road records. The Jacks will get the home court advantage to start. The time for wound-licking is over. It's time for hunting again.
Axe 'em!
