GAME NOTES: No. 15 Delta State University vs. University of West Alabama/University of Alabama in Huntsville (1.27-2.1.14)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 15 Statesmen (16-2, 9-1 GSC) of Delta State University begin the second half of the Gulf South Conference race this week with a pair of games at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Thursday's showdown with the University of West Alabama (10-6, 7-3 GSC) is set for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff while Saturday's game versus the University of Alabama in Huntsville (10-7, 6-4 GSC) is slated to begin at 4 p.m.
UWA (7-3 GSC) and UAH (6-4 GSC), two of DSU's primary challengers in the hunt for the regular season crown, currently sit in second and third respectively in the GSC standings.
The Tigers are coming off a heartbreaking 81-79 buzzer-beater loss at Union last Saturday, while the Chargers claimed an emotional 89-86 win at Flowers Hall over North Alabama.
DSU had quite different results the last time it face West Alabama and Alabama-Huntsville. The Statesmen fell 71-51 on Dec. 19 at UWA, but defeated UAH 86-82 in overtime on Dec. 21 at Spraggins Hall.
The Statesmen lead the all-time series with UWA 37-26 and hold a 15-11 edge in the standings versus UAH. The Chargers haven't won a road game at Sillers Coliseum since defeating DSU 78-55 on Jan. 7, 2008.
DELTA STATE ATOP GSC STANDINGS
After back-to-back road wins over Valdosta State (72-68) and West Florida (71-57), the Statesmen enter Thursday's game atop the Gulf South Conference standings.
DSU is 9-1 in GSC play, holding a two game lead over West Alabama (7-3). UAH (6-4) is currently third followed by four teams tied at 5-5 in the league.
MOVIN' ON UP...STATESMEN CLIMB TO NO. 15 IN NABC POLL
Delta State climbed five sports in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Top 25 to No. 15 after claiming back-to-back road wins at Valdosta State (72-68) and West Florida (71-57).
It's the highest ranking for the Statesmen since holding the No. 1 spot to end the 2005-06 regular season. DSU debuted in the NABC Top 25 at No. 24 on Jan. 7, 2014.
LAST TIME OUT: STATESMEN CONQUER ARGOS 71-57
Willie Readus and
Devin Schmidt guided the Statesmen to a 71-57 win over West Florida with 23 points and 20 points respectively on Saturday, Jan. 25 at The Fieldhouse in Pensacola, Fla.
Cornel Knight and
Mike Washington added 10 points each to join Readus and Schmidt in double figures.
Delta State shot 57.5 percent from the field, outshooting West Florida's 43.6 field goal percentage. The Statesmen won the game at the free throw line, converting 24-of-31 attempts, while UWF made just 8-of-12. Neither team could must much from beyond the arc, as DSU made 1-of-5 from 3-point range and UWF 1-of-13.
STATESMEN WIN CLAIM FIRST WIN AT VSU SINCE 1991
Devin Schmidt tied his career-high with 24 points to lead No. 20 Delta State to 72-68 victory over Valdosta State University Thursday, Jan. 23 at The Complex. The victory was DSU's first in Valdosta, Ga., since 1991.
Willie Readus added 19 points and tied a career-high with 17 rebounds.
DSU shot 55.8 percent for the game, making 29-of-52 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. VSU connected on 40 percent after hitting 24-of-60 attempts and 7-of-19 from deep.
READUS MAKING CASE FOR NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
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 (20.1 ppg) and rebounder (10.8 rpg) looks to keep DSU in the hunt for the GSC title.
In his last game, Readus, a senior from Morton, Miss., scored 23 points and hauled in seven rebounds to help DSU down West Florida 71-57 in Pensacola, Fla. The Thursday before, Readus scored 19 points and cleared a career-high 17 rebounds in a 72-68 win at VSU, the first for DSU in Valdosta since 1991.
Readus, who ranks 10th in the NCAA in total rebounds and 11th in double-doubles, is connecting on 52.6 percent of shots this year. He is 121-of-230 from the floor and an outstanding 119-of-161 (73.9 percent) from the free throw line. Readus has scored in double figures in every game, including 16 games with 16-plus points.
THE RACE FOR 16
Each game coach
Jim Boone and the Statesmen search for offensive balance. Led by
Willie Readus' 16 games with 16-plus points, the Statesmen have eclipsed the 16-point plateau 35 times this season.
Devin Schmidt is second on the team with 10 followed by
Mike Washington with four.
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 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game for coach
Jim Boone's Statesmen.
In his last two outings, Schmidt loed DSU to road wins at Valdosta State and West Florida. In the 72-68 win over VSU, Schmidt scored a career-high 24 points, pulled down seven boards and handed out five assists. He followed that up with a 20-point performance in a 71-57 win at West Florida.
The former Sevier County standout's 3.8 assists per game rank fourth in the GSC, while 1.5 assist/turnover ratio is sixth.
Prior to GSC play, Schmidt was averaging 9.4 points per game. Since that time, Schmidt is averaging 18.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists against the GSC.
He has scored in double figures 12 times this year, including nine games with 16-plus points.
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 18 games, the Statesmen are allowing a league-best 64.4 points and 39.7 percent shooting per game; ranking 12th nationally in scoring defense and 17th in field goal percentage defense.
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 74.8 points per game. In fact, the Statesmen have three players averaging in double figures, led by
Willie Readus at 20.1 points per game.
Devin Schmidt's 14.9 points is second on the team followed by
Jack Madgen's 10.2 points per game.
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 63.1 percent of his shots this season after making 65-of-103 attempts. He enters this week's schedule averaging 9.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
The West Virginia Wesleyan transfer 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.
SCORING MARGIN
Delta State enters Thursday's game versus West Alabama leading the GSC in scoring margin at 10.4 points per game. DSU is holding opponents to 64.4 points per game, while scoring 74.8 per contest.
AT THE STRIPE
There's no secret to the early success for the Statesmen this season. It's been the free throw line. In 18 games, DSU has attempted 478 free throws, which tops last season's totalof 427 in 27 games, to our opponents' 243. The Statesmen are 349-of-478 at the line for 73.0 percent. DSU is attempting 19.4 free throws per game, while the opposition is attempting 9.5 per contest.
NOT IN MY HOUSE
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 28 blocks (1.6 bpg), while Knight is fourth with 17 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.
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.
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 457-346, but he owns an outstanding 365-184 mark in NCAA DII play.
Boone (West Virginia State, 1981) is in his second season as head coach at Delta State (27-18). He guided the Statesmen to a 11-16 overall finish in 2012-13 in his first season at DSU.
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.
