Sun Belt Roundball Roundup 1/12/14 – 1/18/14
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome everyone as we add the second entry to WTRT’s new segment! It is time again to recap everything SBC Basketball has to offer! So without further elaboration, let’s get started!
This week the Sun Belt gave us four match ups I want to focus particularly on! First off is South Alabama playing host to Louisiana-Lafayette. The Jaguars would hold control of the game at the half with a score of 39 to 30. South Al would increase that lead to 14 by the by the 13 minute mark. Heading into the waning minutes the Ragin Cajuns’ would make a comeback effort and erased that deficit down to just two points with two minutes to go. Despite the comeback effort, ULL would conclude the final two minutes with multiple missed three point jumpers as well as committing several fouls. Thus allowing South Al to build back up the lead and gain their first SBC win with a score of 81 to 73. The Ragin Cajuns’ didnt have a particularly bad game, they played just below their averages. The Jaguars had the game they had been needing for quite some time now. They put up a shooting clinic as they shot 29 of 49 from the field (59%). They shot average from the 3 point arc and FT line. What really helped South Al was their defensive rebounding ability, they found 32 boards on the defensive end alone. My MVPs for the game are the Ragin Cajuns’ Shawn Long (15 pts; 10 reb) and the Jaguars Augustine Rubit (21 pts; 9 reb). What I take from this game is obviously South Al won’t have this type of game every outing, but they are a team that can put up a fight and can cause any team in the SBC some trouble. As for Louisiana-Lafayette, they continue to have average performances which continues to solidify their middle of the Sun Belt status.
The second key game I saw go down was Arkansas-Little Rock visiting Western Kentucky. Rounding out the first half UALR would hold a two point lead of 33 to 31. WKU would have an eight point lead as the clock began to hit the lower minute count, but that wouldn’t stop the Trojans. UALR battled back to tie things up for the end of regulation, causing OT. The game remained close in OT, but the Trojans would have a late lead causing the Tops to foul. WKU would eventually be down by three in the closing seconds, but were unable to capitalize as they lost the ball just as they crossed the half court line. (Click here for the full game recap) As a team the Trojans shot 32-55 from the floor (58.2%) and 5 of 9 from the 3 point arch (55.6%). Not to mention they also went 18 of 22 from the FT line (81.8%) which is truly what could have allowed the Trojans to have a shot to win this ball game in the first place. As for the Hilltoppers, tonight they shot 46.7% from the field, which compared to last game is a perfect game. However, that percentage is just above their season field goal average (40.2%). Tonight’s FT percentage? Just 66.7%. The season FT average? 67%. The 3 point percentage was higher than the season average considerably, as WKU shot 44% from behind the arc tonight. My MVPs for this game have to UALR’s Will Neighbour (32 pts; 7 reb) and WKU’s Alex Rostov (20 pts; 2 reb). I take from this game that UALR is a good team and can close out games, so don’t count them out of any matchup. On the contrary, the tops need to work on being able to close out games as they will have a heard time in a second game this week doing the same feat. I will discuss that second matchup in a moment.
The next and last matchup that occurred on thursday was Arkansas State at Georgia State. The first half featured very close and competitive play, that was until the Panthers went on a 16-3 run in the middle of the half. That would set up a GSU lead at the half with a score of 38 to 29. That lead would be maintained until the fourteen minute mark when the Red Wolves would decide to go on an 8-0 run of their own. A-State would even grab the lead in the closing minutes giving Georgia State quite the scare. Entering the final minute the Red Wolves would lead 72 to 71. The Panthers would sink a jumper with twelve second to go. A-State would rush down the court taking the three point jumper with three seconds left and miss, then would grab the offensive board, send up a lay up and…. would miss. Thus signifying a one point win to Georgia State with a score of 73 to 72. The Panthers would shoot well from the field (48%) and would once again prove their dominance at the FT line as they sank 10 out of 11 on the night. Their guards would perform admirably as the three starting guards combined for a total of 49 of the 73 points. As for Arkansas State, they shot decently, near their averages. However what truly kept them in the ball game and what allowed them to make a comeback was their post rebounding dominance. They had a plus 15 rebounding advantage over Georgia State which created them extra possessions while limiting the Panther’s second chance opportunities. The game MVP’s were GSU’s R.J. Hunter (23pts; 6 reb) and A-State’s Kirk Van Slyke (22 pts; 10 reb). I take from this ball game that Georgia State is a good team with good guards, but they about let this one slip away from them. I feel like if they got to battle against a team that has a dominating post presence, then the outcome may not come in their favor. As for Arkansas State, well, I’ll elaborate more about them next.
My final key game went down on Saturday with Arkansas State traveling to Bowling Green to take on Western Kentucky. At Halftime WKU lead by a good score of 40-34, however to begin the second A-State jumped out on a 9-0 run creating the intensity of back and forth play until the end of the contest. With 6:27 to go however, the Tops led by eight with a score of 60 to 52. From then on the lead began to dwindle, and the Red Wolves fought their way back into the ball game. With regulation play coming to an end the game was tied for the Tops last chance to seal the deal, they shot a three and missed spelling Overtime. OT would include the same back and forth play, with the ending exactly matching how regulation play ended, thus giving the teams double overtime to finish this one out. That they did, the teams battled and the Tops were able to get the lead in the closing minute. The Red Wolves would use desperation fouls, and WKU would capitalize on the free throws ending the game with a score of 82 to 77 Hilltopper victory. (For the full game recap click here) As a team Arkansas State shot just below average with a percentage of 42%. Their permitter shooting from behind the three point arch was off as they only shot 25% when they normally shoot 39%. As for FTs, the Red wolves stayed consistent as they shot exactly their normal average of 71%. As for WKU, their shooting stats were 41% from the field, 29% from 3-point range, and 55% from the charity strike (11 of 20). The MVP’s for this game was A-States Kendrick Washington (20 pts; 9 reb) and WKU’s George Fant (27 pts; 14 feb). I take from this game for Arkansas State is that they are truly a good SBC team, I just question their depth and ability to close out games. They had eight players step on the court in this matchup and some of those coming quite close to the total of 50 minutes played. The Red Wolves gave themselves a chance to win against GSU thursday, but they weren’t able to capitalize. In this matchup, they gave themselves a chance to win, but ran out of gas at the end. I don’t question Arkansas State’s ability and talent as a team, because they have the players, I just question their depth. As for WKU, the Tops need to be able to close out games. This was game number two this week that the Hilltoppers had a nice lead and then gave it up causing a game to go into extra periods of play. If the Tops want to stay atop the SBC, they will have to be able to finsh teams off earlier in the second half, not at the last second.
So that does it for the week that was, now lets move on to the key matchups that this week has to offer. (All game start times are CT.)
The first contest to watch will be Western Kentucky at Louisiana-Monroe Thursday at 7PM! The Tops look to pose a good win coming off two games concluded in OT. While the Warhawks look to grasp a foothold in the SBC standings and achieve a quality win against the preseason SBC favorite. A lot is always on the line in this matchup, and the status quo won’t change this time. Make sure to tune into this one at 7 airing nationally on ESPN3 or Watch ESPN.
The next key matchup is just down the road from the first key game, as Georgia State will be visiting Louisiana-Lafayette. The Panther’s look to remain unbeaten as the Ragin Cajuns look to add an impressive SBC win under their belt and increase their ranking in the Sun Belt standings. The pressure will be on and an intense match will be guaranteed for this contest. All the action tips-off at 7:15 PM!
The First key matchup on Saturday is Western Kentucky at Louisiana-Lafayette. You know their stories from the previous two key games to watch so I won’t waste any time elaborating. This intense statement game begins at 3 PM!
Lastly we have the battle of the in-states as Arkansas-Little Rock meets up with Arkansas State in Jonesboro to settle this one out. Both of these teams are towards the top of the SBC and both want to stay there. As all rivalry games go, this one will sure to be a dog fight so make sure to write this one down as your Saturday evening plans! The ball is tipped at 7:05 PM!
Well it looks to be another week of tough intense games and OT finishes! Be sure to catch all the action that you can! Be on the look out again tomorrow for the Sun Belt Power Rankings! We will catch you then! Until then, stay classy, SBC!