Point guard success now a Sam Houston basketball tradition
10/28/2009 2:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Bearkats have led the Southland Conference in assists each of the past 11 years and ranked among the top 10 in NCAA team assists average the last six years in a row.
Bearkat point guards have led the league in assists seven of the past 11 seasons.
That kind of unselfish play has been reflected in the victory column as well. Sam Houston State ranks as the "winningest" men's program in the Southland Conference during the past 11 years. Since 2000, out of the 20 NCAA Division I men's teams in the state, only the Texas Longhorns have won more games than Sam Houston.
Marlin became only the second coach in the history of the Southland to post 200 coaching victories with another winning season in 2008-09. He has directed the Kats to five 20-plus victory seasons and two Southland Conference championship.
Each of his winning teams has featured outstanding point guard play.
His current point guard, senior Ashton Mitchell, is the latest in a line of outstanding of back court leaders. Last year, Mitchell became the fifth point guard during the Bob Marlin era to lead the Southland and rank nationally in assists.
"Your offense begins with the point guard and we've been blessed to have some outstanding ones here at Sam Houston," Marlin said. "They've all been good players and outstanding young men. Take Ashton for example. One of his most important accomplishments is that he's already earned his college degree. He did it in three years and will be working on a second degree this year."
Past Bearkat Southland Conference assist champions have included Boney Watson in both 1999 and 2000, Eddy Barlow in 2001, Robert Shannon in 2002 and 2003, JeJuan Plair in 2006 and Mitchell in 2009.
Watson, Shannon, Plair and Mitchell also all ranked among the top 25 nationally in NCAA Division I assists. Mitchell stood fifth nationally last year with his 6.8 assists per game.
"Ashton is a leader who really grew as a player last year," Marlin said. "He has worked hard on his shooting and came into his own as a scorer."
During both of Sam Houston State's Southland Conference championship seasons, the Bearkat offense was led by a senior point guard. Watson averaged 6.4 assists per game during the 2000 Southland title year. Shannon posted 6.0 assists per contest for the 2003 team that also won the Southland post-season event to advance to the NCAA tournament and face the Florida Gators in Tampa.
Mitchell and his backcourt partner Corey Allmond have already been picked to several preseason All-Southland Conference teams.
Sam Houston will face a challenging pre-Southland schedule that includes six home games at Johnson Coliseum in November and December.
$1 general admission and $5 reserved tickets for all men's and women's basketball games in November and December will be made available in a special promotional offer for just 72 hours beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday November 11.
Area fans may purchase tickets online only via www.gobearkats.com for this one-time only opportunity to see any or all of those six contests for just $1 a game.
Use this link to learn more about the $1 Basketball Ticket Sale for 72-Hours for November and December basketball home games.
For more information on tickets to all Bearkat home athletic events, go to www.gobearkats.com or contact the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
