SFA (5-2) vs. UTRGV (2-4)

WHEN: 12/3 (WED) 6:00P.M.
WHERE: William R. Johnson Coliseum (Nacogdoches, TX)
WATCH: ESPN+

Southland Conference play begins with a home matchup against the Vaqueros of the Valley. Don't be fooled by the 2-4 record. This will be a tough matchup for the Jacks.

The Vaqueros are a fantastic three point shooting team - way better than the Jacks. They don't foul and they play a stingy team defense. They don't have that much height, but neither do we.

For the Jacks to win, they need to control the perimeter, hit a couple more threes than last game, dominate the paint. I put out a call for Cam to show up. It would be nice for Alisas to have a breakout offensive game.

We'll see who shows up on a busy holiday midweek church night, but whoever does should get a good show.

Axe 'em!

Ok eighth game in, I think it's time to set season goals.

1) Make the SLC tournament - I think this is a solid first year coaching goal. Braeuer seems to have the talent and the drive. It would be shocking 1/4 of the way into the season for him not to hit this goal.

2) Get the double bye (top 2 seeds) - The reality is that the SLC tournament is intentionally stacked towards the better teams. The conference want the best seeds possible in the NCAA tournament. To make the tournament, you have to grab one of the top two seeds. In 20 years the only exception was Harris, Bogues, and Canete winning as a 3 seed.

This is a tough task. We have to dominate at home in conference. It starts tonight. We don't have many slip ups that can be allowed. McNeese already had one. Time to capitalize tonight.

3) Win the SLC regular season - #1 seed. This is just a pipe dream right now. The NCAA is everything, but it means something to this program to say you are top dog. SFA dominated this position in the 2010's. Can we get back to the top in 2026? This team has vulnerabilities. It will have to really gel to become this kind of force.

4) Win the SLC tournament - Keller only accomplished this once. COVID ruined chance two. Kaspar only got it done once despite having top seeds many years. This is a huge accomplishment for any coach. It is not just something that happens at SFA.

Braeuer has an even shot with any other SLC coach right now of cementing a place in SFA history. Hang a banner and play for glory. He's been there before with other teams as an assistant. He knows what he wants. It would be an unexpected and magical first year, but Jacks know how to dream.

UTRGV sure concentrating on Narit. Can't even get the ball to him which is why it's nice to have other shooters.

Colonel with blocks 5 & 6.

73-60 Jacks win! Perfect in conference.

Great team D to limit UTRGV 3 point attempts. 40% of their shots are from three but, tonight, it was a little over 25%. Colonel is an elite rim protector. Team shot 71% from the line and Christmas was not only 3 for 3 at the line, he had 10 boards. Definitely a team win.