Men's basketball travels to Northwestern State Wednesday
3/2/2010 7:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BY CODY STARK, HUNTSVILLE ITEM
SAM HOUSTON VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 7 p.m.
Prather Coliseum - Natchitoches, Texas
Radio: KSAM 101.7 FM
The Bearkats have already accomplished their regular-season goals. With two games remaining on the schedule, Sam Houston State has wrapped up the Southland Conference title and clinched the top seed in the league's postseason tournament, which will be held March 9-13.
So, what do the Kats want to accomplish in their final two tune-ups, beginning tonight at Northwestern State, before heading to the Merrell Center in Katy with the hopes of advancing to the NCAA tournament?
"We want to continue to play well and get better defensively," SHSU head coach Bob Marlin said Tuesday. "We want to work on some things that will help us in the conference tournament. That's the main thing. We also want to continue to play well. "We have two tough venues this week. Obviously Northwestern is a tough place to play. It will be a challenge."
Even though the Bearkats clinched at least a share of the SLC regular-season title with a 74-56 drubbing of McNeese State on Feb. 24, they didn't suffer a letdown last Saturday. Sam Houston (13-1 in SLC, 21-6 overall) came out swinging and demolished a hot Texas-Arlington squad 94-69 at Johnson Coliseum to win the championship outright.
"Our guys just love to play and they love to compete," Marlin said. "Ninety percent of our practices are excellent. We work hard against each other and that makes us better. They just love to play each and every game. We are just trying to make the most out of every opportunity and get better."
Northwestern State (10-17), on the other hand, is fighting for its postseason life. The Demons are battling with Lamar, Nicholls and McNeese for final spot in the SLC tournament. All four of those teams are 5-9 in conference play, so there is little room for error. Two losses to close the season would be disaster and with the Cardinals and Colonels facing off Saturday, one of those schools is guaranteed at least one win.
That makes tonight's game crucial for Northwestern State, especially since the Demons also have to play at Southeastern Louisiana, which is currently tied for third, on Saturday.
"I don't know their situation totally, but if they beat us, they certainly have a good opportunity to make the tournament," Marlin said. "They have two hard games, but they have a good basketball team. They are young, and outside of (Michael McConathy) and Damon Jones, their two senior starters, the rest of their guys are young, a junior, sophomore and freshman. "But they are going to be a good basketball team in the future and they are playing better right now than they have all year."
Despite their lack of success in SLC play, the Demons have three players who can put points on the board. Devon Baker (14.1 points), Will Pratt (13.3) and Jones (13.3) all average double-digits in scoring.
The Bearkats will have their hands full defensively tonight. Northwestern State has the third-highest scoring offense in the league (75.3 points), which trails only SHSU (79.4) and Texas State (76.1). In conference play only, the Demons are second in scoring (76.2) behind the Bearkats (79.2).
"Pratt, Baker and Jones all averaging right around 15 points per game," Marlin added. "They are second in the league in scoring to us. They are good. They have scored 80 points I think three out of their last four games. "They are getting better and you know their history in the tournament. All they have to do is get in and they feel they have an excellent chance."
The Demons failed to qualify for the SLC tournament last season. But before that, Northwestern State had played in four straight SLC tournament championship games, advancing to the NCAA tournament in 2006.
SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT
Single session tickets for Sam Houston State men's and women's games in the State Farm Southland Conference Post-Season Classic tournament go on sale beginning at 8 a.m. Monday.
Sam Houston's men's team will be the No. 1 seed in the event. The Bearkat women will be making their first appearance in the tournament since 2004.
The winner of the Southland tournament earns the league's automatic berth in the 2010 NCAA Big Dance. Sam Houston's men's team won the 2003 tournament title and advanced to play Florida in Tampa in the NCAA first round.
Fans may purchase your Southland Conference session tickets online at SHSU Ticket Office or by calling 936-294-1729. The supply of Southland single session tickets are a limited so fans are urged to purchase their tickets as soon as possible.
First round and semifinal men's and women's session tickets are $18 each and feature two games. Championship day tickets are $15.
Go to Southland Tournament Central for more information or by call the SHSU Athletic Ticket office at 936 294-1729. The Sam Houston athletic ticket office is located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
By purchasing tournament tickets through the SHSU Ticket Office, fans will assured of seats in the SHSU section of the Merrell Center. Tickets will be allocated based on a priority system and availability.
