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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Statesmen (11-2, 4-1 GSC) of Delta State University will make a little history on Thursday, Jan. 9, as the Green-and-White square-off with the Flames (6-4, 2-2 GSC) of Lee University for the first time in program history. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT at Walker Arena in Cleveland, Tenn.
Philip Tang will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning at 6:45 p.m. CT.
The Flames, who were 30-4 a year ago, are a provisional member of the GSC this season after producing years of success at the highest levels of the NAIA. Lee is coming off back-ot-back losses to North Alabama (76-69) and Union (69-66), both on the road. However, the Flames are undefeated this season inside Walker Arena.
Corey Billingsley, a junior guard from Sweetwater, Tenn., leads the Flames with 19.1 points per game.
LAST TIME OUT: STATESMEN TOP HAWKS 91-81
Willie Readus scored a career-high 36 points to lead the Delta State University Men's Basketball team to a 91-81 victory over Shorter University Monday, Jan. 9 at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The Morton, Miss., native recorded his ninth double-double after grabbing 11 rebounds in the performance.
The Statesmen improved to 11-2 on the season and 4-1 in Gulf South Conference play. The 11 victories match the season win total from last year. DSU's 91 points were also a season high. Shorter slipped to 4-7 and 1-4 in the GSC.
DSU shot a blistering 60.7 percent (17-28) in the second to finish the game connecting on 56.4 percent (31-of-55) of its attempts. The Statesmen were near perfect at the line in game, making 25-of-29 shots.
Shorter made 45.5 percent (15-of-33) in the second period, while making 43.8 percent (28-of-64) for the game.
The Statesmen outscored the Hawks 48-34 in the paint, but it was the Hawks' bench that proved to be a major issue for DSU 24-12 edge in scoring.
Devin Schmidt had an equally impressive outing, scoring 18 points, pulling down eight boards and handing out a game-high seven assists.
Jack Madgen added 12 points and four assists, while
Mike Washington chipped in 11 points, and two key baskets in the final 4:10 of the game.
STATESMEN BEGIN NEW RIVALRY WITH FLAMES
Delta State will enter new territory at Walker Arena in Cleveland, Tenn., on Thursday, Jan. 9, as the Statesmen face Lee University for the first time in the program's history.
The Flames, who were 30-4 a year ago, are a provisional member of the GSC this season after producing years of success at the highest levels of the NAIA. Lee is coming off back-ot-back losses to North Alabama (76-69) and Union (69-66), both on the road. However, the Flames are undefeated this season inside Walker Arena.
Corey Billingsley, a junior guard from Sweetwater, Tenn., leads the Flames with 19.1 points per game.
ALL THINGS EVEN...
Delta State's 91-81 victory over Shorter was the 11th win of the season in just 13 games. The Statesmen went 11-16 last year in coach
Jim 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 4-1 in GSC play, holding a half game lead on Valdosta State (3-1).
READUS PACING 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 280 pounds. His power is what sets him apart, as the league's leading scorer (20.8 ppg) and rebounder (11.3 rpg) looks to keep DSU in the hunt for the GSC title.
In his last game, Readus, a senior from Morton, Miss., was the rock for the Statesmen throughout the game, finishing with his eighth double-double of the season to lead DSU past Shorter 91-81. He scored a career-high 36 points and cleared 11 rebounds in the win. He finished 11-of-20 from the field, but was an outstanding 14-of-17 from the line.
Readus, who ranks 10th in the NCAA in total rebounds and double-doubles, is connecting on 53.9 percent of shots this year. He is 90-of-167 from the floor and an outstanding 90-of-118 (76.3 percent) from the free throw line.
SCHMIDT GROWING INTO POINT GUARD SPOT
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 13.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game for coach
Jim Boone's Statesmen.
The former Sevier County standout's 3.8 assists per game rank fourth in the GSC, while 1.8 assist/turnover ratio is third. In GSC play, Schmidt is averaging 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.4 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 13 games, the Statesmen are allowing a league-best 64.8 points and 40.1 percent shooting per game.
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 75.2 points per game. In fact, the Statesmen have three players averaging in double figures, led by
Willie Readus at 20.8 points per game.
Devin Schmidt's 13.6 points is second on the team followed by
Jack Madgen's 10.4 points per game.
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 13 games, DSU has attempted 352 free throws to our opponents' 176.
The Statesmen are 259-of-352 at the line for 73.6 percent. DSU is attempting 19.9 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 41.0 to the opposition's 29.8 per game. Through 13 games, the Statesmen have cleared 533 rebounds compared to 387 for the opposition. DSU is tops in the GSC in rebounding defense (29.8 rpg) and rebounding margin (+11.2 rpg).
SCORING MARGIN
Delta State enters Thursday's game versus Lee leading the GSC in scoring margin at 10.5 points per game. DSU is holding opponents to 64.8 points per game, while scoring 75.2 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 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 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.
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 704.
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.
