GAME NOTES: No. 20 Delta State University at Valdosta State University/University of West Florida (1.23-25.14)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 20 Statesmen (14-2, 7-1 GSC) of Delta State University face a critical road trip this week with stops at Valdosta State University (10-4, 4-4 GSC) and the University of West Florida (3-11, 2-6 GSC). Thursday's clash at The Complex versus VSU tips off at 8 p.m. EST followed by a 4 p.m. EST start Saturday at UWF. Both games will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning 15 minutes prior to tipoff with the DSU Alumni Association Game Day Report.
Philip Tang will have the call.
DELTA STATE FACING PIVOTAL ROAD SWING
The Statesmen are set for a pivotal road swing this week with stops at Valdosta State (10-4, 4-4 GSC) and West Florida (3-11, 2-6 GSC). The two games are last in first half of the GSC schedule. DSU stands at 14-2 overall and 7-1 against GSC competition.
Thursday's game at Valdosta State will be the 35th all-time between the two schools. The Blazers hold a slim 18-16 edge in the series after taking 2-of-3 from DSU last year, including a 54-49 win in the Gulf South Conference Tournament on Match 8, 2013 at Samford's Hannah Center.
Last season, the Blazers defeated the Statesmen 60-54 in the last meeting at The Complex. DSU hasn't won a road game in Valdosta, Ga., since George H. W. Bush was President of the United States. The Statesmen edged the Blazers 77-75 back on January 7, 1991 at The Complex.
Don't let their 3-11 record fool you. The Argonauts of the University of West Florida are one of the GSC's most dangerous teams at home. With a 2-6 mark in league play, the Argos are looking for a signature win to jump start the second half of league play.
The Statesmen, who have won three in a row in the series, lead the Argonauts 8-3 in the all-time standings. DSU claimed a 60-54 win at UWF last season at The Fieldhouse. UWF's last home win over DSU came on Jan. 7, 2012 in an 84-67 rout.
DELTA STATE ATOP GSC STANDINGS
After back-to-back home wins over North Alabama (84-72) and Union (75-64), the Statesmen enter Thursday's game atop the Gulf South Conference standings. DSU is 7-1 in GSC play, holding a one game lead on West Alabama (6-2). There are five teams tied at 4-4 in the league, including Thursday's opponent Valdosta State.
STATESMEN CLIMB TO NO. 25 IN LATEST NABC TOP 25 POLL
Delta State climbed four sports in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Top 25 to No. 20 after claiming back-to-back home wins over North Alabama (84-72) and Union (75-64).
It's the highest ranking for the Statesmen since ending the 2008-09 regular season at No. 25. DSU debuted in the NABC Top 25 at No. 24 last week.
LAST TIME OUT: STATESMEN TOP BULLDOGS 75-64
Jack Madgen set a new career-high with 20 points to lead the No. 24 Delta State University men's basketball team to a 75-64 victory over Union University at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The Statesmen improved to 14-2 on the year and 7-1 in Gulf South Conference play. It was DSU's sixth win in a row. The Bulldogs slipped to 8-6 and 4-4 in league action.
Delta State's trademark defense was solid throughout the contest, as the Statesmen held Union to 35.8 percent from the field on 24-of-57 attempts. UU was also just 5-for-19 (26.3 percent) from 3-point range in the loss.
DSU, which shot 63 percent in the second half, finished the game hitting on 26-of-49 attempts from the field for 53.1 percent. The Statesmen were also 5-of-12 from 3-point range and 18-of-28 at the line.
In the paint, the Statesmen held a narrow edge 36-30 and also outscored the Bulldogs 11-6 off turnovers.
Mike Washington tied his career-high with 18 points and cleared seven boards with two blocked shots.
Willie Readus added 15 points and nine rebounds.
Devin Schmidt chipped in with eight points and grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds while handing out six assists.
STATESMEN TOP LAST YEAR'S WIN TOTAL
Delta State's 67-56 victory at Lee on 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.
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 (19.9 ppg) and rebounder (10.6 rpg) looks to keep DSU in the hunt for the GSC title.
In his last game, Readus, a senior from Morton, Miss., scored 15 points and hauled in seven rebounds to help DSU down Union 75-64 and maintain their hold on the top spot in the GSC standings.
Readus, who ranks 10th in the NCAA in total rebounds and 13th in double-doubles, is connecting on 51.9 percent of shots this year. He is 107-of-206 from the floor and an outstanding 105-of-139 (75.5 percent) from the free throw line.
SCHMIDT BECOMING FLOOR GENERAL FOR STATESMEN
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 14.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for coach
Jim Boone's Statesmen.
In his last two outings, Schmidt has set new career-highs for rebounds, including 11 in DSU's 75-64 win over Union. In a must-win against North Alabama, Schmidt led the Statesmen to an 84-72 victory with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The former Sevier County standout's 3.9 assists per game rank third in the GSC, while 1.5 assist/turnover ratio is sixth. In GSC play, Schmidt is averaging 17.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 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.
DEFENSE NAME OF THE GAME FOR BOONE'S STATESMEN; LEADING 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 16 games, the Statesmen are allowing a league-best 64.6 points and 39.5 percent shooting per game; ranking 16th nationally in scoring defense and 15th in field goal percentage defense.
ON THE BOARDS
The Statesmen enter the week with a massive lead on the boards this season, averaging 40.6 to the opposition's 30.2 per game. DSU has a 650-483 edge on the glass, and currently sits first in the GSC in rebounding defense (30.2 rpg) and rebounding margin (+10.4 rpg).
OFFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT FOR THE STATESMEN
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 75.2 points per game. In fact, the Statesmen have four players averaging in double figures, led by
Willie Readus at 19.9 points per game.
Devin Schmidt's 14.1 points is second on the team followed by
Jack Madgen's 10.6 points per game.
Mike Washington (10.0) is fourth.
WASHINGTON STEPPING INTO LEADERSHIP ROLE
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 62.5 percent of his shots this season after making 60-of-96 attempts.
The Sanford, Fla., native has recently stepped into a leadership role for the Statesmen after leading DSU to an 84-72 win over North Alabama with a career-high 19 points and seven boards. He followed that performance up with 18 points and eight rebounds in a 75-64 victory over Union. 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 at Valdosta State leading the GSC in scoring margin at 10.6 points per game. DSU is holding opponents to 64.6 points per game, while scoring 75.2 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 16 games, DSU has attempted 427 free throws, which ties last season's total in 27 games, to our opponents' 216.
The Statesmen are 313-of-427 at the line for 73.3 percent. DSU is attempting 19.6 free throws per game, while the opposition is attempting 9.4 per contest.
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 26 blocks (1.6 bpg), while Knight is fourth with 15 blocks (0.9 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).
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 66-of-169 from 3-point range in his career, needing 21 made 3-pointers to crack the top 10.
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 455-346, but he owns an outstanding 363-184 mark in NCAA DII play.
Boone (West Virginia State, 1981) is in his second season as head coach at Delta State (25-18). 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 1,209-806-1 all-time, boasting the second most victories in Gulf South Conference history with 707.
