Scouting report on Texas State Bobcats
1/20/2010 8:35:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Cody Stark Huntsville Assistant Sports Editor
Sam Houston State will try to stretch its Southland Conference winning streak to three games when Texas State comes to Johnson Coliseum tonight.
The Bearkats (2-0 in SLC, 10-5 overall) are coming off a key 84-79 road victory at Southeastern Louisiana this past Saturday. On the same day, the Bobcats (2-1 in SLC, 8-9 overall) snapped a one-game skid with a 76-74 win at home against Central Arkansas.
"They have a good team," SHSU head coach Bob Marlin said of the rival Bobcats. "They are athletic, and from what we have seen on film, they have improved from last year even though they lost three very good players in (Corey) Jefferson, (Brent) Benson and (Brandon) Bush.
"But they are playing well right now and I'm sure we will get their best shot."
Texas State plays an aggressive style of defense and leads the nation in personal fouls per game (25.1). Sam Houston will need another strong performance at the free-throw line just like in the win over Southeastern.
The Bearkats shot less than 40 percent from the field, but they got the job done at the stripe. Sam Houston hit 29-of-36 attempts, including 11 of 12 in the final four minutes.
"Hopefully we will continue shooting well at the line. It certainly was a huge factor in our game on Saturday and could be in this game as well," Marlin said. "Last year we played (Texas State) here at the end of the season and Barkley (Falkner) went 15 of 19 and we used free throws that day to come out on top."
The Bobcats are led by junior forward Cameron Johnson, who is averaging 12.2 points and 7.9 rebounds a game. Senior forward John Rybak is second on the team in scoring (10.2) followed by junior forward J.B. Conley (8.7) and sophomore guard John Bowman (8.4).
Tonight's game has the potential to be high scoring. The Bearkats lead the SLC in scoring offense (78.9 points per game) and Texas State is third (75.9). Both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in scoring defense.
"They are going to play fast and try to score," Marlin added. "They are very aggressive on offense and defense. They use multiple press, play man-zone and are going to switch defenses. They do a nice job of rotating their players in and out so they are fresh."
Tonight's tipoff is scheduled for 7.
The game will be broadcast live on KSAM FM 101.7 in Huntsville and on the internet on www.gobearkats.com .
The first 500 fans to enter Johnson Coliseum Wednesday night will each receive a free AT&T boom stick.
Also, Sam Houston students still can earn points towards the free Bearkat basketball T-shirt promotion courtesy of Student Activities and Bearkat athletics.
There have been approximately 200 winners thus far, but 300 still remain to be given away. Students need to attend a total of three men's or women's games to be eligible to win. Students qualifying for the T-shirt will be contacted via e-mail by Student Activities with information on how to pick up their T-shirt. For additional details see Free T-shirt Promo Details
Tickets for men's basketball home games are on sale now on-line at www.gobearkats.com . Fans also may purchase tickets at 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. Monday through Friday. Ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
