GAME NOTES: No. 24 Delta State University versus University of North Alabama/Union University (1.14-20.14)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 24 Statesmen (12-2, 5-1 GSC) of Delta State University face a challenging week, as the Green-and-White host the University of North Alabama Lions (9-5, 3-3 GSC) and Union University Bulldogs (8-4, 4-2 GSC) at Sillers Coliseum. Thursday's showdown with UNA will tip at 7:30 p.m. followed by a 4 p.m. start on Saturday versus Union.
One of the oldest rivalries in the GSC renews for the first time in 2013-14 on Saturday, as the Statesmen (12-2, 5-1 GSC) welcome the Lions (9-5, 3-3 GSC) of North Alabama to Walter Sillers Coliseum.
The series is also one of the most competitive in the league with DSU holding a 39-38 edge in the standings. DSU has dropped six straight to UNA on the hardwood, including 73-54 (Florence) and 69-53 (Cleveland) losses last season.
UNA forward Rashaun Claiborne leads coach Bobby Champagne's team in scoring (19.3) and rebounding (7.0). Point guard Nate Spher is the team's leader in assists at 3.0 per game.
Saturday's showdown with the Union Bulldogs (8-4, 4-2 GSC) will mark the 47th meeting all-time between the schools. Last season, the Statesmen and Bulldogs split their season series, with each squad winning at home.
Union has had a resurgence on the hardwood, entering the game tied for second in the GSC after defeating West Florida (81-76) and Valdosta State (64-54) last week.
INSIDE THE PAINT
STATESMEN CRACK NABC TOP 25
Delta State enters the week ranked No. 24 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Top 25. It's the first DSU has held a national ranking since ending the 2008-09 regular season at No. 25.
LAST TIME OUT: STATESMEN END LEE'S STREAK AT 23
Devin Schmidt scored 19 points and
Willie Readus added 16 points and seven rebounds to lead the Delta State University men's basketball team to a 67-56 victory over Lee University on Thursday, Jan. 9 at Walker Arena. The victory ended the Flames' 23-game home court winning streak and kept the Statesmen a game ahead of the pack in the Gulf South Conference standings.
The Statesmen shot 48.0 percent (24-of-50) from the field and 17-of-22 at the free throw line in the win. Defensively, Lee was held to 37.9 percent (22-of-58) and just 5-of-14 from 3-point range. Lee out-rebounded DSU 34-31, but the Statesmen held a 38-32 edge in the paint offensively.
STATESMEN AND LIONS MEET FOR FIRST TIME IN 2013-14
One of the oldest rivalries in the GSC renews for the first time in 2013-14 on Saturday, as the Statesmen (12-2, 5-1 GSC) welcome the Lions (9-5, 3-3 GSC) of North Alabama to Walter Sillers Coliseum.
The series is also one of the most competitive in the league with DSU holding a 39-38 edge in the standings. DSU has dropped six straight to UNA on the hardwood, including 73-54 (Florence) and 69-53 (Cleveland) losses last season.
UNA forward Rashaun Claiborne leads coach Bobby Champagne's team in scoring (19.3) and rebounding (7.0). Point guard Nate Spher is the team's leader in assists at 3.0 per game.
BULLDOGS RETURN TO SILLERS
Saturday's showdown with the Union Bulldogs (8-4, 4-2 GSC) will mark the 47th meeting all-time between the schools. Last season, the Statesmen and Bulldogs split their season series, with each squad winning at home.
Union has had a resurgence on the hardwood, entering the game tied for second in the GSC after defeating West Florida (81-76) and Valdosta State (64-54) last week.
STATESMEN TOP LAST YEAR'S WIN TOTAL
Delta State's 67-56 victory at Lee last Thursday, Jan. 9 was the 12th this season for coach
Jim Boone and the Statesmen, topping last year's win total. DSU went 11-16 last year in coach Boone's inaugural season at Delta State.
ATOP THE STANDINGS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2009
With a mountain of basketball left to be played this season, the Statesmen enter Thursday's game atop the Gulf South Conference standings for the first time since the 2008-2009 campaign. DSU is 5-1 in GSC play, holding a half game lead on West Alabama (5-2).
READUS POWERING STATESMEN
Since transferring from Jackson State,
Willie Readus has led the Statesmen to the top of the table in the Gulf South Conference. The powerhouse stands 6-foot-8 and weighs in at 265 pounds. His power is what sets him apart, as the league's leading scorer (20.3 ppg) and rebounder (11.0 rpg) looks to keep DSU in the hunt for the GSC title.
In his last game, Readus, a senior from Morton, Miss., scored 16 points and hauled in seven rebounds to help DSU end Lee's 23-game home win streak 67-56. Prior to that, Readus was the rock for the Statesmen in a 91-81 victory over Shorter, finishing with his eighth double-double of the season with a career-high 36 points and 11 rebounds.
Readus, who ranks 11th in the NCAA in total rebounds and double-doubles, is connecting on 51.6 percent of shots this year. He is 94-of-182 from the floor and an outstanding 98-of-129 (76.0 percent) from the free throw line.
SCHMIDT MAKING IMPACT AS FRESHMAN
Devin Schmidt, a 6-foot-4 point guard from Sevierville, Tenn., has made an immediate impact on the Statesmen this season. The freshman is averaging 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for coach
Jim Boone's Statesmen.
The former Sevier County standout's 3.7 assists per game rank fourth in the GSC, while 1.8 assist/turnover ratio is third. In GSC play, Schmidt is averaging 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Schmidt was named GSC Player of the Week after leading the Statesmen to a 65-63 victory at Christian Brothers on Dec. 14 at Canale Arena in Memphis, Tenn. Schmidt scored a career-high 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and handed out five assists in the win.
DEFENSE NAME OF THE GAME FOR BOONE'S STATESMEN; DSU LEADS LEAGUE IN SCORING & FG% DEFENSE
The Statesmen are led by one of the nation's top defensive coaches in
Jim Boone. The 27-year veteran skipper has hung his hat on his ability to draw up defenses to stop any opponent. Through 14 games, the Statesmen are allowing a league-best 64.1 points and 40.0 percent shooting per game; ranking 15th nationally in scoring defense and 25th in field goal percentage defense.
STATESMEN GETTING OFFENSIVE
A year ago, the Statesmen offense averaged 59.5 points per game, but this season coach
Jim Boone has turned up the offense to a blistering 74.6 points per game. In fact, the Statesmen have two players averaging in double figures, led by
Willie Readus at 20.4 points per game.
Devin Schmidt's 14.0 points is second on the team followed by
Jack Madgen's 9.9 points per game.
WASHINGTON LEADING GSC IN FG%
Senior center
Mike Washington holds a massive advantage in the race to lead the GSC in field goal percentage. The Sanford, Fla., native is hitting on 61.6 percent of his shots this season after making 45-of-73 attempts. He enters this week's schedule averaging 8.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
SCORING MARGIN
Delta State enters Thursday's game versus North Alabama leading the GSC in scoring margin at 10.5 points per game. DSU is holding opponents to 64.1 points per game, while scoring 74.6 per contest.
GETTING TO THE LINE & CONVERTING
There's no secret to the early success for the Statesmen this season. It's been the free throw line. In 14 games, DSU has attempted 374 free throws to our opponents' 190.
The Statesmen are 276-of-374 at the line for 73.8 percent. DSU is attempting 19.7 free throws per game, while the opposition is attempting 9.3 per contest. In 27 games last year, the Statesmen attempted 427 freebies.
ON THE BOARDS
The Statesmen enter the week with a massive lead on the boards this season, averaging 40.3 to the opposition's 30.1 per game. DSU has a 564-421 edge on the glass, and currently sits first in the GSC in rebounding defense (30.0 rpg) and rebounding margin (+10.4 rpg).
SHOT CHANGERS
Senior center
Mike Washington and guard
Cornel Knight have proven to be two of the GSC's best when it comes to blocked shots. Washington enters the week ranked second in the league with 18 blocks (1.5 bpg), while Knight is fourth with 11 blocks (1.0 bpg).
SIX AND COUNTING
Delta State enters the 2013-14 season with six Gulf South Conference championships, the most by any member institution. The Statesmen also own GSC records for postseason tournament appearances (24), wins (26), semifinal berths (17) and finals appearances (12).
BOONE TOPS 450-WIN PLATEAU
Statesmen head coach
Jim Boone claimed a memorable 86-82 overtime victory at Spragins Hall on Dec. 21, 2013 over Alabama-Huntsville to eclipse the 450 wins plateau for his career. His career record stands at 453-346, but he owns an outstanding 361-184 mark in NCAA DII play.
Boone (West Virginia State, 1981) is in his second season as head coach at Delta State. He guided the Statesmen to a 11-16 overall finish in 2012-13 in his first season at DSU.
Boone spent 10 seasons as coach at California (Pa.), where he led the Vulcans to six PSAC titles, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and two NCAA Final Fours. His "Pack Line" defense is known as one of the top defensive systems in the game.
STATESMEN CLAIM 1200th VICTORY
Delta State eclipsed the 1,200 win plateau after defeating Selma 90-71 and Champion Baptist 78-37 last week. The Statesmen are 1,207-806-1 all-time, boasting the second most victories in Gulf South Conference history with 705.
MADGEN NEARING CAREER 3-POINT MADE LIST
Sophomore shooting guard
Jack Madgen is quickly approaching Delta State's career chart for 3-pointers made. The Williamstown, South Australia native is 60-of-158 from 3-point range in his career, needing 27 made 3-pointers to crack the top 10.
