Just under two weeks ago, the sky was falling for Stephen F. Austin basketball fans. Since that mess in Abilene, Kyle Keller's squad has dropped two-straight opponents in convincing fashion.
Road woes have been a big story this season, and after beating the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders by 33-points last week, the Lumberjacks get a chance to right that narrative with a rematch on the coast tonight. SFA will travel directly from Corpus Christi to San Antonio for a Saturday match at Incarnate Word. Tonight, they'll be playing for their first happy bus ride of the year, and a 4-2 start in conference play.
Have a prediction to add? Join the
pick 'em contest right here.
THE GAME: Stephen F. Austin at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
THE TIME: 7:00CT
THE LOCATION: American Bank Center (Corpus Christi, Texas)
THE BROADCAST: Root Sports Southwest (
stream online here), Lumberjacks Sports Network radio (Q107.7 in Nacogdoches, TuneIn App)
Isaac Niedrauer: Just over a week ago, as things were seemingly falling apart for SFA after an upset at Abilene, I said I was picking the home team on both ends of this Texas A&M-Corpus Christi series.
Then the Lumberjacks blew the Islanders out of Nacogdoches with a 33-point win. Barring a surprise, my prediction will be wrong. That isn't to say this game wont be a lot closer than a lot of people seem to think now.
First, remember that the game in Nacogdoches was a lot closer than the final score would indicate. The Jacks used some big runs to cement their win but for 3/4 of the game, Willis Wilson's squad was within striking distance. The bottom finally fell out in the last 8:00 or so and it was an embarrassing final score, but don't let that distract you from the fact that when things are clicking that is a pretty good team.
SFA was able to shut down Rashawn Thomas, the league's best player, almost completely. I doubt that happens twice. Just like the Islanders have struggled on the road, so has SFA.
With something to prove and vengeance on their mind, I expect a dog fight. I also expect, once again, a final score that doesn't fully display the close battle this game will be.
Final Score: 73-62 Stephen F. Austin
Jake Rhodes: Embarrassingly, I picked Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by 15 last time these two met. What did I learn? That SFA is better at home than I had given credit for.
Still, as good as they are in WRJ, they're equally terrible on the road. This is the most critical game of the season for both of these teams. If SFA can win, they have re-solidified themselves as one of the teams to beat in the conference. For Corpus, they need a win to overcome the slow start and affirm themselves as a player in the league.
I see this one coming down to the wire but with Corpus at home in a must-win situation, I'll take the Islanders.
Final Score: 74-70 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Austin Fenoglio: SFA appears to have finally found some kind of rhythm under Kyle Keller. The team appeared confidence in the last two, and that's exactly what has been lacking all year.
But now comes a real test - winning on the road. The SLC remains wide open and Corpus knows it. They need a big win at home and a win against a hot Lumberjacks team would certainly fit the bill.
That said, I have a hard time taking the Islanders in this one after SFA's 33-point romp last week. It'll be a battle on the beach but SFA will be heading to San Antonio at 4-2.
Final Score: 74-62 Stephen F. Austin
Colton Albritton-Felts: Can it be? Has this team finally hit their stride or is it all an illusion cast by the shadow of playing in William R. Johnson Coliseum? We might find out tonight.
The Jacks' two conference losses have been on the road but they certainly had a winning formula at work last week. Can the defense prevent Rashawn Thomas from doing what he's capable of? I can almost guarantee this one is going to be close.
In what has promised to be a hostile environment, if the Jacks pull out this win, SFA becomes one of the two hottest teams in the conference going forward. I think they get it done.
Final Score: 65-62 Stephen F. Austin
