SFA (20-8, 12-4) vs. New Mexico State (23-5, 13-3)
WHEN: MAR 2 (WED) 8:00P.M.
WHERE: Pan American Center (Las Cruces, NM)
WATCH: ESPN+
It is March! The time of year that every Lumberjack fan dreams of. Dreams of glories past, of banners to come, of tournament wins, and Sweet Sixteens. It is that time of year again, and the Lumberjacks have put themselves in the position to make all their dreams (and yours!) come true.
The message is simple: win the two games this week and you're WAC Champions. No ifs, ands, or buts.
WAC Vegas tournament seeding is a completely different matter. Regardless of what the Jacks do, it is unlikely (though not impossible) of improving past the 3 seed. But we can hang a banner - and these guys want that banner. To accomplish the Jacks' dreams, they will have to do one thing that's never been done before: win a conference game in the Pan Am Center against a Chris Jans led team (30-0). But don't tell the Jacks it can't be done.
In the first match-up in Nacogdoches, the up and down Lumberjacks had just bested first place Grand Canyon only to not find any rhythm against the Aggies. Teddy Allen was the stuff of nightmares going 26 and 7 while Sir'Jabari Rice backed him up with 21 pts, 8 reb, and 4 stl. Combined they hit 11 three pointers. Gavin Kensmil meanwhile scored 8 points and 4 rebounds on a miserable day inside. Hall led all SFA scorers with 14.
This is not the same Jacks team. That team would suffer another loss in Seattle before coming together with a new strategic plan that would allow them to roll off eight straight wins. Kensmil and Solomon are reenergized, but behind them are four freshmen that are doing significant work. Kalcheries, Hawkins, and Nana have all taken significant steps back in their roles while the hustle of the rookies are finding cracks in the other teams defenses. Posey, Hall, Jossell, and Tezeno all were huge on Saturday making sure ACU did not get them off their stride. Youth is pulling this season up.
The Aggies are old (some look downright geriatric) and tall. Their length really made SFA struggle the first time around. And they do not foul. This has been a tough combo for the Jacks. The key to this game is not forcing our big men to do everything. It will still be a full time battle on the inside, and we must win the war in the paint, but Jacks guards must hit their open looks and defend. We cannot give up 14 made threes again and expect to win. We must shut down the perimeter and force them to go through Gavin and Calvin.
It's going to be a tight game. It's going to be hopping at the Pan Am Center since COVID restrictions were just eliminated. It's going to be a dogfight by two winning programs that know that a championship hangs in the balance. It's going to take a team that's ready to chop some hardwood.
Axe 'em Jacks!
WHEN: MAR 2 (WED) 8:00P.M.
WHERE: Pan American Center (Las Cruces, NM)
WATCH: ESPN+
It is March! The time of year that every Lumberjack fan dreams of. Dreams of glories past, of banners to come, of tournament wins, and Sweet Sixteens. It is that time of year again, and the Lumberjacks have put themselves in the position to make all their dreams (and yours!) come true.
The message is simple: win the two games this week and you're WAC Champions. No ifs, ands, or buts.
WAC Vegas tournament seeding is a completely different matter. Regardless of what the Jacks do, it is unlikely (though not impossible) of improving past the 3 seed. But we can hang a banner - and these guys want that banner. To accomplish the Jacks' dreams, they will have to do one thing that's never been done before: win a conference game in the Pan Am Center against a Chris Jans led team (30-0). But don't tell the Jacks it can't be done.
In the first match-up in Nacogdoches, the up and down Lumberjacks had just bested first place Grand Canyon only to not find any rhythm against the Aggies. Teddy Allen was the stuff of nightmares going 26 and 7 while Sir'Jabari Rice backed him up with 21 pts, 8 reb, and 4 stl. Combined they hit 11 three pointers. Gavin Kensmil meanwhile scored 8 points and 4 rebounds on a miserable day inside. Hall led all SFA scorers with 14.
This is not the same Jacks team. That team would suffer another loss in Seattle before coming together with a new strategic plan that would allow them to roll off eight straight wins. Kensmil and Solomon are reenergized, but behind them are four freshmen that are doing significant work. Kalcheries, Hawkins, and Nana have all taken significant steps back in their roles while the hustle of the rookies are finding cracks in the other teams defenses. Posey, Hall, Jossell, and Tezeno all were huge on Saturday making sure ACU did not get them off their stride. Youth is pulling this season up.
The Aggies are old (some look downright geriatric) and tall. Their length really made SFA struggle the first time around. And they do not foul. This has been a tough combo for the Jacks. The key to this game is not forcing our big men to do everything. It will still be a full time battle on the inside, and we must win the war in the paint, but Jacks guards must hit their open looks and defend. We cannot give up 14 made threes again and expect to win. We must shut down the perimeter and force them to go through Gavin and Calvin.
It's going to be a tight game. It's going to be hopping at the Pan Am Center since COVID restrictions were just eliminated. It's going to be a dogfight by two winning programs that know that a championship hangs in the balance. It's going to take a team that's ready to chop some hardwood.
Axe 'em Jacks!
Ryan
Kinnaird Guitars
Kinnaird Guitars
