Weekly Release No. 5: Arkansas-Monticello/Christian Brothers

CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (16-5, 6-2 GSC) of Delta State University will face a stiff test this week with a pair of key Gulf South Conferences games versus Arkansas-Monticello and No. 8 Christian Brothers.  

DSU will head on the road to Monticello, Ark.,looking to even the regular season series with the Boll Weevils (16-5, 5-3 GSC) of Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday at Steelman Fieldhouse. UAM is on a two-game skid, their first since the start of the new year.  The Boll Weevils defeated the Statesmen 75-70 at Sillers Coliseum one month ago.   

The Statesmen will come back home for the first time in over two weeks Saturday, as they host No. 8-ranked Christian Brothers (18-3, 7-1 GSC) at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  The Bucs are currently in first place in the GSC West at 7-1, holding a one game lead over DSU.  CBU edged DSU 75-65 earlier this year in Memphis, Tenn., at Canale Arena.  

Delta State has won five Gulf South games in a row, their longest winning streak thus far and are coming off two big wins over Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist. With only six games remaining on the regular season schedule, this week's showdown with UAM and CBU will go a long way in determining the Statesmen's postseason future.

All three teams factor heavily in the NCAA South Regional Rankings.  CBU (No. 3), and UAM (No. 5) are ranked ahead of the Statesmen (No. 6), who moved up four spots in this week's rankings.  The final eight teams in the last South Region Poll will advance to the regional tournament.  

In player news, Alton Robinson claimed hisa second GSC West Division Player of the Week Award on Monday.  The 6-foot-7 forward scored 24 points and pulled down seven boards in DSU's 77-70 win over Ouachita Baptist University last Thursday.

Both games this week will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to tip-off with the "SouthGroup Insurance Locker Room Report."  J.T. Webb and Troy Treasure have the call.