GAME NOTES: University of West Georgia | Shorter University at Delta State University (Jan. 4-6, 2014)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The second half of the Delta State University Men's Basketball season gets underway Saturday, Jan. 4, as the Statesmen (9-2, 2-1 GSC) welcome the University of West Georgia (10-1, 3-0 GSC) into Sillers Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. DSU will follow that up with a contest Monday, Jan. 6 versus Shorter University (4-5, 1-2 GSC) at 7:30 p.m.
The GSC's top two defensive basketball teams are meeting Saturday for the 39th time in series history. The Statesmen own a 24-14 edge over the Wolves on the hardwood, but UWG claimed a 54-47 victory on the last meeting on Feb. 23, 2013 at The Coliseum in Carrollton, Ga.
While the series history (1-1) is a brief one between Delta State and Shorter, last year's series proved to be one of the more exciting of the 2012-13 campaign. The series split last year with each team winning at home. DSU defeated SU 62-57 on Feb. 14, 2013 at Sillers Coliseum in last meeting between the schools.
As DSU enters the second half of the season, the Statesmen bring the league's No. 1 scoring defense (63.8) and field goal percentage defense (40.3%) to the court. They'll need it against a 10-1 UWG Wolves squad that is averaging 74.9 points per game. Shorter is scoring at will this season as well, averaging 91.8 points per game and clearing 47.8 rebounds per contest.
OPENING TIP
Delta State made it two in a row at Spragins Hall after defeating the University of Alabama-Huntsville, 86-82, in overtime the last time out for the Statesmen.
Devin Schmidt scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win, while
Willie Readus chipped in with 19 points and 14 boards. The victory also had special significance for coach
Jim Boone, as the veteran skipper claimed his 450th career win.
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 73.7 points per game. In fact, the Statesmen have three players averaging in double figures, led by
Willie Readus' 19.4 points per game.
Senior power forward
Willie Readus enters the week leading the Statesmen in scoring (19.1 ppg) and rebounding (11.1). The Morton, Miss., native has scored in double figures in every game this season, including a season-high 31 points at LeMoyne-Owen and 17 rebounds versus Cumberland. The Jackson State University transfer is currently second in the GSC in scoring and rebounding, but he is the only player averaging a double-double.
True freshman point guard
Devin Schmidt has made an immediate impact on DSU, averaging 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. In GSC games, Schmidt is averaging 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Jim 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. His career record stands at 450-346, but he owns an outstanding 358-184 mark in NCAA DII play. 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 MAKE IT TWO IN A ROW AT SPRAGINS HALL
Delta State made it two in a row at Spragins Hall after defeating the University of Alabama-Huntsville, 86-82, in overtime the last time out for the Statesmen. DSU won the war in the paint, out-scoring UAH 36-24, including 14-10 in overtime, and dominated on the glass 39 to 23 in rebounds.
Devin Schmidt scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win, while
Willie Readus chipped in with 19 points and 14 boards.
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 450-346, but he owns an outstanding 358-184 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.
WILLIE'S WAY
Senior power forward
Willie Readus enters the week leading the Statesmen in scoring (19.2 ppg) and rebounding (11.1). The Morton, Miss., native has scored in double figures in every game this season, including a season-high 31 points at LeMoyne-Owen and 17 rebounds versus Cumberland.
The Jackson State University transfer is currently ranked second in the GSC in scoring and rebounding, but he is the only player averaging a double-double.
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 1,205-806-1 all-time, boasting the second most victories in Gulf South Conference history with 693.
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 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for coach
Jim Boone's Statesmen.
The former Sevier County standout's 3.6 assists per game rank sixth in the GSC, while 1.8 assist/turnover ratio is eighth. In GSC play, Schmidt is averaging 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 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.
EIGHT IN A ROW SNAPPED
Delta State saw its season-long win streak of eight games snapped in a 71-51 loss at at West Alabama. The eight game win streak was the longest for the Statesmen since the 2005-2006 campaign and the second longest in the league this year.
SCORING MARGIN
Delta State enters Saturday's game versus West Georgia leading the GSC in scoring margin at 9.7 points per game. DSU is holding opponents to 63.8 points per game, while scoring 73.7 per contest.
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 11 games, the Statesmen are allowing a league-best 63.8 points and 40.3 percent shooting per game.
TURNING UP THE OFFENSE
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 73.7 points per game. In fact, the Statesmen have three players averaging in double figures, led by
Willie Readus' 19.2 points per game.
Devin Schmidt's 13.0 points is second on the team followed by
Jack Madgen's 10.5 points per game.
Alister Chisholm (8.5) and
Mike Washington (8.5) are on the cusp of double figures.
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 11 games, DSU has attempted 297 free throws to our opponents' 143.
The Statesmen are 215-of-297 at the line for 72.4 percent. DSU is attempting 19.5 free throws per game, while the opposition is attempting 9.5 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 29.6 per game. Through 11 games, the Statesmen have cleared 443 rebounds compared to 326 for the opposition. DSU is tops in the GSC in rebounding defense (29.6 rpg) and rebounding margin (+10.7 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 third in the league with 14 blocks (1.3 bpg), while Knight is fourth with 11 blocks (1.0 bpg).
MADGEN NEARING CAREER LIST
Sophomore shooting guard
Jack Madgen is quickly approaching Delta State's career chart for 3-pointers made. The Williamstown, South Australia native is 57-of-152 from 3-point range in his career, needing 30 made 3-pointers to crack the top 10.
KNIGHT SCORES 500th POINT AT DELTA STATE
Senior guard
Cornel Knight scored his 500th career point at Delta State with six points in DSU's 90-71 win over Selma University. The 6-foot-3 Mobile, Ala., native has scored 540 points in 65 games for DSU, including 359 rebounds and 194 assists.
STATESMEN, NOT FIGHTING OKRA
Despite some rowdy student objections, athletic programs at Delta State University do not use the student-chosen sub-mascot, Fighting Okra. The Fighting Okra, the most vicious of all vegetables, was created by a band of students at DSU in the late 1980's and early 1990's.
While some on campus embrace the scary veggie, DSU Athletics does not. Our programs have always been, and will continue to be the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen. If you have a problem with that, take it up with the vegetable in the corner with boxing gloves.
