WHEN: NOV 9 (TUE) 6:30P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPN+
We're finally here! It's time to kick off the 2021-2022 SFA Lumberjack Men's Basketball campaign against the NAIA LSU-A Generals. A new year, a new performance center, new coaches, new players, new entrance tunnel - everything is fresh and ready to show off. Not to mention there is a whole new conference for the Jacks to compete in as well as a new year to make that NCAA tournament run. It's a time for excitement, and a time for the SFA faithful to show up and support your team this year.
Coach Keller may have a new look coaching staff headed by Tony Jasick (IPFW) and Dalonte Hill (So. Miss), but he has his most experienced starting squad since he became a head coach. Kalcheries, Ware, Solomon, and Kensmil will all be third year starters notching more experience than a season starting squad in a long time. They have all been tested, and with the three seniors from last year returning, they are hungry for a dominant year.
The Lumberjacks had one of the most dominant frontcourts in college basketball last year, and they don't plan on letting that inside presence slip this year. Kensmil and Solomon are ready to play hard in the paint while Nana is ready to show that his skills have grown to match his long ball-swatting arms. Charlie Daniels may be gone, but replacing him is 6'10" Texas A&M transfer Jonathan Aku. Few teams in America will have the ability to shut down their opponents' interior threats like the Jacks.
If SFA has showed some weakness the past two years, it has been in guard depth. David and Roti are back to provide a solid foundation to the backcourt, but newcomers Derrick Tezeno, Latrell Jossell, and redshirt freshman Jaylin Jackson-Posey are ready to show the WAC that the Lumberjacks can be electric from all areas of the court. Chemistry is going to be the test for this new squad, but this may be the deepest guard group since the Underwood days.
The LSU-A Generals aren't planning on letting the Jacks just stunt on them all night long. They finished last season ranked #19 in the NAIA and are already receiving votes this year. They have a formidable guard group as well led by Nicholls transfer A.J. Rainey, Joe Lewis, and Jakemin Abney. They are fast and have been averaging over 100 points a game to start this year undefeated in three contests. The Jacks are traditionally very slow and sloppy in their first game while they figure out their rotations and chemistry in front of a real crowd. The Generals plan to use this and take care of business.
On paper, SFA's fresh talent should mop the floor with the Louisiana squad. Come out tomorrow to see what actually happens.
Axe 'em!
Kinnaird Guitars