GETTING INSIDE
Sam Houston State could have proven a lot just by having hanging tough in its road game at Auburn on Dec. 20.
But the Bearkats went one better, running the Tigers out of their own gym in a 107-89 victory.
As such, Sam Houston State sent a message that it isn’t only hoping to win the Southland Conference, but it would be more than happy to match up with any big-conference school come postseason tournament time.
Of course, the team that lives by the 3-pointer can die by the 3-pointer. In the Auburn game, Sam Houston State hit 15 of them, but until that hot shooting touch goes cold, there is no reason to start doubting the team’s ability to win the league title until another squad knocks the Bearkats off their lofty perch.
Instead of sitting back and enjoying that Auburn win too much, Sam Houston State answered with an equally emphatic 30-point win over Florida International.
NOTES, QUOTES
• The Bearkats have one of the Southland Conference’s best offenses, leading in scoring (83.0 points per game) and ranking second in scoring margin at plus-14.5 points per game through Christmas.
• Sam Houston State’s Dec. 20 win over Auburn was the program’s first-ever against a Southeastern Conference school.
January At A Glance: It will be interesting to see which, if any, Southland Conference team is the first to slow the Sam Houston State offense. When the Bearkats play UT Arlingotn on Jan. 23, it may be more about which team scores more rather than which team can stop the other. UT Arlington’s 79 points per game rank second only to Sam Houston State’s 83.
Quote To Note: “We’ve always felt like (a tough nonconference schedule) is great preparation. We think it’s important to play good nonconference opponents.”—Sam Houston State coach Bob Marlin, in the Houston Chronicle.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: While the Bearkats compiled eight wins through Christmas, there was really one that was the feather in the cap—the 107-89 blowout win at Auburn on Dec. 20. Sam Houston State has been playing well all year, but that was the first time they ever knocked off a Southeastern Conference foe.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—G Corey Allmond, G Ashton Mitchell, F Josten Crow, F Gilberto Clavell, F Preston Brown. Key Subs—F Trevon Charles, G Drae Murray, G Lance Pevehouse.
Game Review:
Sam Houston State 69, Ecclesia 40
Sam Houston State 107, Auburn 89
Sam Houston State 93, Florida International 63
Game Preview:
at Wright State, Monday, Dec. 28
at Western Michigan, Sunday, Jan. 3
vs. Stephen F. Austin, Saturday, Jan. 9
at Southeastern Louisiana, Saturday, Jan. 16
vs. Texas State, Wednesday, Jan. 20
In Focus: Sam Houston State is still riding the euphoria of its big win over Auburn and has to make sure it doesn’t trip up in a game like its Jan. 3 road test at Western Michigan, a team that will be riding back-to-back wins itself and will have had 11 days to prepare.
Roster Report:
• G Corey Allmond’s 3.6 3-pointers per game, which led the Southland through Christmas, were a big reason the Bearkats were leading the league with 109 3-pointers made this season.
• Sophomore G Drae Murray and senior G Ashton Mitchell were tied for the league lead with 4.7 assists per game.
