Sunday, February 26
Nacogdoches, Texas
6:00 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
vs
California Baptist
Lumberjacks Prepare for Their Final Home Games of the Season
2/24/2023 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin men's basketball program get set for their all-important final home games of the season for a chance to make a run for the WAC regular-season championship. This week they take on California Baptist University, which will be broadcasted on ESPNU, and Sam Houston.
Lumberjacks Statistical Analysis
With three games left in the regular season, the Lumberjacks are fourth in the WAC standings with a 10-5 conference record. The 'Jacks find themselves two games behind first place, Utah Valley, and one game behind Sam Houston and Southern Utah, who are tied for second.
The Lumberjack's "PressU" defense continues to show out as they remain a top three team in the nation in terms of turnovers forced per game with 18.32. SFA has three players with over 30 steals, with AJ Cajuste leading the way with 41.
Forcing turnovers now isn't the only thing that SFA does significantly well. The Lumberjacks have now jumped into third place in the nation in three-point percentage with 39.7%. In the last 11 games, the 'Jacks have shot better than 30% from beyond the arc as a team, including 57.1% (8-for-14) against Abilene Christian last week. The Lumberjacks sit 0.8% behind nation leader, Colgate who shoots 40.5% from deep. The Lumberjack leader from the three-point line, Latrell Jossell, is fifth in the nation in three-point percentage with 45.1%. Look for Jossell to rebound at home after only making three shots from deep in his last 11 attempts.
Sadaidriene Hall remains near unstoppable when in the paint as he leads the conference, 28th in the nation, in field goal percentage with 59.2%. Hall has hit a hot-streak as he has recorded back-to-back double-double's and was two point away from making it three straight.
Sunday: Stephen F. Austin vs California Baptist
Date: Sunday, February 26th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Live Stream: ESPNU
Series: 2nd Meeting (SFA leads 1-0)
A Look at the Lancers
The Lancers come into Nacogdoches with a 15-13 overall record and a 7-8 WAC record. The Lancers are 4-6 when playing in enemy territory and is coming off a lost at Sam Houston.
One way that California Baptist can slow the Lumberjacks from running up the scoreboard is by their strong three-point defense. The Lancers are first in the conference, 28th in the nation, in three-point percentage defense, holding their opponents to just 30.9% from beyond the arc.
On the other end, one big key that has been hurting the Lancers is themselves. CBU is first in the conference in both turnovers per game (11.3) and fouls per game (16.9). With the Lumberjacks being as strong as they are on forcing turnovers, things could get ugly for the Lancers.
Taran Armstrong is the offensive leader for CBU as he leads the team in points per game (11.4) and assists (138). Look for Reed Nottage and Tre Armstrong to be a threat from deep as most of their shots come from the three-point line and both have a three-point percentage of 37%.
Wednesday: Stephen F. Austin vs Sam Houston
Date: Wednesday, March 1st
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Live Stream: ESPN+
Series: 104th Meeting (SFA leads 55-48)
A Look at the Bearkats
The Lumberjacks home finale is bound to be a thriller as they take on their longtime rival who have been quite impressive this year. The Bearkats are 21-6 with a conference record of 11-4. Being on the road seems to have no affect on the Bearkats as they are 9-5 on away games this season. The Kats are riding on a four-game winning streak and have won nine out of their last ten.
Sam Houston is ranked top ten in the nation in: bench points per game (7th), scoring defense (5th), scoring margin (2nd), three-point percentage (6th), and turnovers forced per game (7th). Should be no surprise that SFA finds themselves in the same categories as the last two statistics mentioned, but just higher ranked than the Bearkats. Expect this to be a low-scoring game with a lot of turnovers, as Sam Houston hasn't allowed more than 62 points in their last four games.
The Bearkats have no shortage of sharp shooters, as their top four scorers all have at least a 36% three-point percentage, all with at least 90 attempts.
Look for Qua Grant to be going on the attack as he leads the team in points per game (13.5), total rebounds (112), assists (104), and steals (55). If the 'Jacks are able to contain Grant, they'll have a good shot to come away with the victory.
Lumberjacks Statistical Analysis
With three games left in the regular season, the Lumberjacks are fourth in the WAC standings with a 10-5 conference record. The 'Jacks find themselves two games behind first place, Utah Valley, and one game behind Sam Houston and Southern Utah, who are tied for second.
The Lumberjack's "PressU" defense continues to show out as they remain a top three team in the nation in terms of turnovers forced per game with 18.32. SFA has three players with over 30 steals, with AJ Cajuste leading the way with 41.
Forcing turnovers now isn't the only thing that SFA does significantly well. The Lumberjacks have now jumped into third place in the nation in three-point percentage with 39.7%. In the last 11 games, the 'Jacks have shot better than 30% from beyond the arc as a team, including 57.1% (8-for-14) against Abilene Christian last week. The Lumberjacks sit 0.8% behind nation leader, Colgate who shoots 40.5% from deep. The Lumberjack leader from the three-point line, Latrell Jossell, is fifth in the nation in three-point percentage with 45.1%. Look for Jossell to rebound at home after only making three shots from deep in his last 11 attempts.
Sadaidriene Hall remains near unstoppable when in the paint as he leads the conference, 28th in the nation, in field goal percentage with 59.2%. Hall has hit a hot-streak as he has recorded back-to-back double-double's and was two point away from making it three straight.
Sunday: Stephen F. Austin vs California Baptist
Date: Sunday, February 26th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Live Stream: ESPNU
Series: 2nd Meeting (SFA leads 1-0)
A Look at the Lancers
The Lancers come into Nacogdoches with a 15-13 overall record and a 7-8 WAC record. The Lancers are 4-6 when playing in enemy territory and is coming off a lost at Sam Houston.
One way that California Baptist can slow the Lumberjacks from running up the scoreboard is by their strong three-point defense. The Lancers are first in the conference, 28th in the nation, in three-point percentage defense, holding their opponents to just 30.9% from beyond the arc.
On the other end, one big key that has been hurting the Lancers is themselves. CBU is first in the conference in both turnovers per game (11.3) and fouls per game (16.9). With the Lumberjacks being as strong as they are on forcing turnovers, things could get ugly for the Lancers.
Taran Armstrong is the offensive leader for CBU as he leads the team in points per game (11.4) and assists (138). Look for Reed Nottage and Tre Armstrong to be a threat from deep as most of their shots come from the three-point line and both have a three-point percentage of 37%.
Wednesday: Stephen F. Austin vs Sam Houston
Date: Wednesday, March 1st
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Live Stream: ESPN+
Series: 104th Meeting (SFA leads 55-48)
A Look at the Bearkats
The Lumberjacks home finale is bound to be a thriller as they take on their longtime rival who have been quite impressive this year. The Bearkats are 21-6 with a conference record of 11-4. Being on the road seems to have no affect on the Bearkats as they are 9-5 on away games this season. The Kats are riding on a four-game winning streak and have won nine out of their last ten.
Sam Houston is ranked top ten in the nation in: bench points per game (7th), scoring defense (5th), scoring margin (2nd), three-point percentage (6th), and turnovers forced per game (7th). Should be no surprise that SFA finds themselves in the same categories as the last two statistics mentioned, but just higher ranked than the Bearkats. Expect this to be a low-scoring game with a lot of turnovers, as Sam Houston hasn't allowed more than 62 points in their last four games.
The Bearkats have no shortage of sharp shooters, as their top four scorers all have at least a 36% three-point percentage, all with at least 90 attempts.
Look for Qua Grant to be going on the attack as he leads the team in points per game (13.5), total rebounds (112), assists (104), and steals (55). If the 'Jacks are able to contain Grant, they'll have a good shot to come away with the victory.
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