Path to the Hall of Fame

[randy]

We are now ranked #24.

1/24/94: #24 Sam Houston St (15-4, 5-1) @ Central Arkansas (11-8, 3-3)

Pre-game Notes
[INDENT]1. UCA had the 2nd best RPI, prior to the start of conference games. However, they have been playing inconsistently lately. They are coming off a 2-game road losing streak, and we expect them to play hard at home to get back on track.
2. Their 2 and 3 are averaging double figures, as well as their 6th man. Those 3 players like to light it up from the outside, with each one averaging at least 2 3s per game. As a team, UCA is #9 in the nation in 3s made. We need to defend the perimeter.
3. Our significant advantages are on rebounding, and turn overs; UCA is last in the conference on turn overs
[/INDENT]
Initial instructions
[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Freedom: Auto / 75%
2. Defense Sets / Intensity: 1-2-2 zone / 7
3. Press Sets / Frequency: HC Trap / 9 (generate turn overs)
4. Off/Def Reb Intensity: 8/8
5. Off Pace / Focus: 4 / Heavy Inside
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:58, Down 5-6
They established their inside game early, which somehow surprised us as they are more of an outside shooting team.

9:57, Up 20-8
They began shooting outside shots, but they are not going in; our perimeter defense preparation is paying off. On the other end, Cook has been on a tear, now with 12 and 4.

3:35, Up 30-23
Their 3s start to fall in, hitting 3 from downtown.

Halftime, Up 36-27
Good showing by the team so far, but UCA made us aware that they are capable of lighting it up from outside.

Notes
[INDENT]1. Cook leads us again with 15 pts, but got ample support with Coulibaly, Carr, and Majerus combining for 18 pts. Granville continues his slump, responsible for 4 tos in the half
[/INDENT]


Start of 2nd Half

Johnson will start the 2nd half; Granville's mind is not in the game.

15:31, Up 44-31
Majerus called for his 3rd. UCA's most efficient scorer is their PF (4-6 FG), but they continue to shoot a lot (and miss a lot) from the outside.

13:43, Up 46-32
Cook called for 3rd also. Take him out for a while

8:45, Up 52-35
The bench did a good job holding UCA off, with both Cook and Majerus on the bench. Both players are back on the floor now.

2:58, Up 63-40
This game is over. Clear the bench; slow the game.


Final score: Sam Houston St - 75, Central Arkansas - 46
Great win! Making an good offensive team shoot poorly from the field, on their home court, is always satisfying.


Box Score

[INDENT]Cook 23, 14, 1, 4 stls (*)
Coulibaly 12, 7, 4
Carr 11, 1, 1
Majerus 10, 6, 0
Belton 5, 4, 0
Smith 5, 2, 0
Jackson 5, 0, 0
Johnson 3, 2, 6
Griffin 1, 3, 0
Granville 0, 3, 4, 5 tos
Thomas 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 47-29%
REB: +15
TO: -3
Paint: +20
2nd Chance : +3
Fast Break: -4[/INDENT]


Other Notes

[INDENT]1. Cook has been a workhorse for the past 4 games, averaging 23 ppg, 10.5 rpg, and shooting 63% FG.
2. Their starting SG and SF couldnt get in going, combining only for 9 pts on 3-18 FG (17%). UCA's 29% FG shooting is their lowest so far this season.
3. ISR = 1.5
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Southland Conference standings after 7 games

(Team, Conf W-L, RPI)

#24 Sam Houston, 6-1, 24
Lamar, 5-2, 211
Nicholls St, 4-3, 92
Texas A&M CC, 4-3, 153
Texas Arlington, 3-4, 216
Central Arkansas, 3-4, 101
Texas St., 3-4, 197
Texas San Antonio, 0-7, 338


Individual Leaders (Southland)

Points (per game)
#1 Dana Cook, 18.2
#4 Jason Carr, 13.9
#5 David Coulibaly, 13.1

Rebounds (per game)
#1 Dana Cook, 9.2

Assists (per game)
#1 Osei Granville, 5.2
#4 Brian Johnson, 3.4

Steals (total)
#1 (tied) David Coulibaly, 25
#3 Dana Cook, 24
#4 (tied) Osei Granville, 23
#4 (tied) Jason Carr, 23

Blocks (total)
#1 Dana Cook, 18
#3 (tied) Joe Majerus, 15
#5 (tied) David Coulibaly, 13
#9 (tied) Keyon Griffin, 10

3P made (total)
#13 (tied) Jason Carr, 20

Turnovers (per game)
#9 Osei Granville, 2.4

[randy]

1/27/94: #24 Sam Houston St (16-4, 6-1) @ Texas A&M Corpus Christi (8-12, 4-3)

Pre-game Notes
[INDENT]1. We beat them in the 1st round, 80-59. We were comfortably leading by 26 pts, but they had a furious rally to cut it down to 8 with 3 mins left. We needed a 13-0 run at the end of the game to put them away. In that game, their starting guards combined for 33 pts.
2. We had a lot of success driving to the basket during our first meeting, as we scored 34 pts inside the paint. Carr was also hot from the outside, going 5-5 from 3.
[/INDENT]
Initial instructions
[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Freedom: Auto / 75%
2. Defense Sets / Intensity: Man / 8
3. Press Sets / Frequency: HC Trap / 8
4. Off/Def Reb Intensity: 8/9
5. Off Pace / Focus: 5 / Favor Inside
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

10:50, Up 18-8
Our defense is holding them to 27% FG. Cook already has 12 and 6, in less than 10 mins of play

Halftime, Up 33-24
They can't stop Cook; 20 pts, 10-14 FG. Enough said


Start of 2nd Half


15:44, Up 37-33
We came out flat to start the 2nd half

10:48, Up 51-35
We woke up and went on a 14-2 run. Cook continues to dominate; 29 and 10. We're on the penalty though.

7:25, Up 56-42
They are beginning to force their way inside. We'll switch to a 2-3 zone the rest of the way, and max out on def reb

3:53, Up 64-49
Both teams fouling a lot; good thing we're converting our FTs, 14-15. Slow things down; just play smart basketball.

1:56, Up 68-52
Cleared the bench


Final score: Sam Houston St - 71, Texas A&M Corpus Christi - 56


Box Score

[INDENT]Cook 31, 11, 0, 14-19 FG (*)
Carr 11, 3, 0
Coulibaly 10, 2, 1
Smith 6, 3, 1, 3 stls
Majerus 4, 3, 2
Griffin 4, 6, 1
Johnson 2, 3, 0
Belton 2, 4, 0
Hatter 1, 0, 0
Granville 0, 2, 8
Thomas 0, 0, 0
Jackson 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 48-34%
REB: +7
TO: -1
Paint: +28 (44-16)
2nd Chance : +2
Fast Break: +6[/INDENT]


Other Notes

[INDENT]1. Granville had 8 asts and only 1 to in 28 mins of play. I don't mind him being scoreless; just take care of the ball, and safely get it to the other players.
2. ISR = 3.7. Amazing performance; 44 inside pts, 12 outside pts. The key to a successful execution of the inside game? Our players who played the PG and SG positions (including the subs) committed only 2 tos.
[/INDENT]

[Wayne23]

Congrats on being ranked, that's a great achievement.

[randy]

Dana Cook has been named a quarter finalist (#5) for the Norton award.

Sam Houston St is ranked #22 (RPI: 16)


1/31/94: Texas Arlington (12-9, 4-4) @ #22 Sam Houston St (17-4, 7-1)

Pre-game Notes
[INDENT]1. We beat them in the 1st round at their place, 61-47. It was a low scoring affair, as both teams struggled on field (43-41% FG). UTA shot 2-17 from 3 in that game.
2. UTA's front court players like to pound it inside. We'll play 2-3 zone initially. Their SF is still their top player (15 ppg); he scored 19 against us the last time.
[/INDENT]
Initial instructions
[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Freedom: Auto / 75%
2. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 / 8
3. Press Sets / Frequency: HC Trap / 8
4. Off/Def Reb Intensity: 8/9
5. Off Pace / Focus: 4 / Heavy Inside
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

14:46, Down 4-6
We missed our first 7 shots (we're now at 2-10 FG). Our interior defense looks good; we just need to settle down on offense.

10:58, Up 14-8
Our shots began to fall. UTA continues to miss from the outside, and turn the ball over.

7:49, Up 21-10
After our 0-7 FG start, we sizzled for 9-11 FG since then.


Halftime, Up 32-16
UTA's outside shooting woes continues, 0-8 3PT


Start of 2nd Half

15:09, Up 37-23
Momentum building up a bit for UTA as they hit their first 3. Cook not having a good day handling the ball with 5 tos.

11:46, Up 39-26
Our offense went to a sleeping mode.

6:42, Up 45-31
Cook going to work, scoring our last 4 pts. Just prevent any big run, and we should hold on

1:27, Up 57-34
Our offense for today was highlighted only by a couple of short runs, and long stretches of drought. Fortunately, it was enough to beat UTA. This game is over; clear the bench; slow the game


Final score: Texas Arlington - 34, #22 Sam Houston St - 59


Box Score

[INDENT]Cook 23, 9, 2, 6 tos, 10-15 FG (*)
Majerus 14, 3, 2
Carr 7, 5, 1
Coulibaly 6, 3, 4
Smith 3, 0, 0
Granville 2, 3, 4
Johnson 2, 4, 6
Thomas 2, 1, 0
Griffin 0, 0, 2
Belton 0, 3, 0
Wadell, 0, 0, 0
Jackson 0, 0, 0
Hatter 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 50-29%
REB: +11
TO: -3
Paint: +4
2nd Chance : -2
Fast Break: Even[/INDENT]


Other Notes

[INDENT]1. Since our lost to Lamar, we tightened up our defense; our opponents during the current 4-game winning streak shot only 66-208 (32% FG).
2. We limited their star SF to only 6 pts, 3-14 FG
3. The 2 teams combined for only 12 FTAs
4. ISR = 0.4
[/INDENT]

[randy]

2/1/94

Academics
1. Todd Reed still at 1.5 GPA; Carr at 2.2. More tutoring for both of them

Recruiting
1. Justin McClinton now has "Some" interest to join us

[randy]

2/3/94: Texas San Antonio (6-16, 1-8) @ #22 Sam Houston St (18-4, 8-1)

Pre-game Notes
[INDENT]1. UTSA just won their first conference game, after losing thier first 8. Earlier in the season, we won 64-62 at their place. It was another 2nd half meltdown for us, as we led by as many as 21pts, but we let them come back. In that game, we were outscored in the paint.
2. UTSA is last in the conference in almost all statistical categories, including points, assists, and steals. If we don't commit silly turn overs, this game should be over early. Well that's what I thought also during the first time we faced them, when we were leading comfortably ...
[/INDENT]
Initial instructions
[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Freedom: Auto / 70%
2. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 / 8
3. Press Sets / Frequency: HC Trap / 8
4. Off/Def Reb Intensity: 8/9
5. Off Pace / Focus: 4 / Heavy Inside
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:53, Up 4-2
Both teams committing 3 tos each already.

10:49, Down 6-9
Shooting 30% FG. A case of overconfidence again on my players; screamed at them to wake up! Granville has 2 fouls

5:30, Down 14-17
Switching to man, as they converted on 3 3s already.


Halftime, Down 22-24
Everything that could go wrong happened during that half; 41% FG, 9 tos, and only 6 inside pts. To make matters worse, foul count is 8-0 on their favor!
Despite how bad we played, we're only down by 2. We have 20 mins to turn things around


Start of 2nd Half
Up def intensity to 9

13:35, Down 31-38
Crowd is getting restless! We'll increase pace to 8, and switch to Favor Inside.

11:37, Down 35-43
They were called for only their 1st foul of the game!

8:14, Down 43-45
It was 31-43 at one point. We have a chance now; its up to us to grab it. Cook is a non factor so far on offense, with only 4 pts.

6:11, Up 48-47
Took the lead after a converted 3-pt play by Majerus

3:38, Up 52-51
Trading baskets. My 3 guard rotation of Granville, Coulibaly, and Johnson has combined for 27 of our 52 pts; all of them are on the floor now as I am now going to a small lineup. I am hoping we can shoot our way out of this mess.

Majerus missing a J, but Cook grabs the offensive board ang got fouled on his follow up. 2 FTs

Miss the 1st. Hits the 2nd

3:23, Up 53-51

Time running out on their shot clock. Their C had to force a 3 pt shot. Missed it. Coulibaly with the rebound. I called time out.

I brought back Carr for Granville. I called for an isolation on Coulibaly.

2:34, Up 53-51

Coulibaly missed his jumper. They rebound

Their PF hits a 3!

2:07, Down 53-54

Johnson hits a jumper from the side. He has 11 big pts

1:49, Up 55-54
Since we took the lead at the 6 minute mark of this half, neither team has lead by more than 2 pts

They missed a 3. Carr rebounds. We call another timeout. Pick-and-roll between Coulibaly and Cook.

1:34, Up 55-54

Coulibaly commits a turn over.

Their PF is in the 3 pt line. Sensing that his man might shoot (and convert) another 3, Majerus went too close. Their PF drove to the basket instead, and score

1:04, Down 55-56

I elected not to call a time out.

They press. We get it on the front court.

Carr hits a huge 3! He was 0-3 from 3PT prior to that shot. They called a time out

0:47, Up 58-56

I am thinking of doubling their PF, but I elected not to. We'll press (half court), and go back to 2-3 zone. If they hit an outside shot (or worse, a 3), I will look like an idiot.

Their SG attempted a 3. I think my heart stopped for a moment. They miss! Cook rebounds. I immediately called time out.

0:31 Up 58-56

Shot clock is off. They will foul, and they are in the penalty. We'll go with a 3 guard lineup. Spread the floor (5-out), slowest pace (1). No need to go for offensive rebound to prevent any breaks on their part.

0:21. They are not fouling(?)

Carr puts up a shot with 0:11 left! Why? He missed. They rebound. They didn't call a timeout (even though they have 1 left). I yelled my instructions to go man

With time expiring, their PG shoots a 3. Missed!


Final score: Texas San Antonio - 56, #22 Sam Houston St - 58


Box Score

[INDENT]Coulibaly 13, 6, 3 (*)
Carr 11, 5, 1
Johnson 11, 1, 6
Majerus 9, 7, 2
Cook 5, 8, 0
Granville 5, 1, 1, 4 tos
Griffin 4, 4, 1
Smith 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 46-39%
REB: +4
TO: +3
Paint: -4 (only 18 for us)
2nd Chance : +1
Fast Break: +2[/INDENT]


Other Notes

[INDENT]1. Cook only had 8 FGAs (making 2). UTSA did a great job denying him the ball; on occasions when he touches the ball, he's not in a position to score, and has to pass back.
2. We're 2-0 against UTSA, both 2-pt wins. I certainly won't like to face them again during the conference tournament
3. ISR = 0.5
[/INDENT]


Standings

[INDENT]Sam Houston St, 9-1
Lamar, 6-4
Nicholls St, 5-5
Texas Arlington, 5-5
Texas A&M CC, 5-5
Central Arkansas, 5-5
Texas St, 4-6
Texas San Antonio, 1-9[/INDENT]

[Wayne23]

A nail biter!

[PointGuard]

I guess UTSA matches up well against you or they hate your guts and play over their head when taking your team on. Nice win though.

[randy]

2/7/94: #17 Sam Houston St (19-4, 9-1) @ Nicholls St (13-10, 5-5)

Pre-game Notes
[INDENT]1. We won during the first meeting at home, 78-68, despite us being assessed with 25 fouls (they wer called for 12), giving Nicholls St a +22 advantage in FTAs. Their starting back court did the most damage combining for 30 pts during that game, while on the other hand, we capitalize on inside points (+12).
2. An added advantage for us in this game is the fact that one half of that back court tandem is suspended due to academics. That leaves them to only one reliable scorer, their starting SG. They don't score a lot, but they don't give up a lot of points either. We expect a relatively low scoring ball game, with lots of steals on both side
[/INDENT]
Initial instructions
[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Freedom: Auto / 70%
2. Defense Sets / Intensity: man / 8
3. Press Sets / Frequency: HC Trap / 9
4. Off/Def Reb Intensity: 8/9
5. Off Pace / Focus: 4 / Heavy Inside
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:59, Up 4-2
Pace is quite slow; probably that a bit of an advantage for them, but I wont adjust yet.

9:35, Down 12-17
Their guards scored all of their pts, mostly from outside. We switch to 1-2-2

3:04, Down 20-25
We can't get it done offensively, while they continue to hit occasional outside shots


Halftime, Down 24-35
They are shooting those jumpers from everywhere, including long NBA-range 3s. We just can't find any rhythm offensively; our top 4 players have combined for 7-22FG


Start of 2nd Half
Up def intensity to 9

13:52, Down 34-43

9:38, Down 38-52
We're not making any progress; offense is still anemic. I'll switch to fast pace (10), and favor inside.

We can't trim the lead even to single digits. Not gonna happen (rally) today.


Final score: #17 Sam Houston St - 52, Nicholls St - 66


Box Score

[INDENT]Cook 18, 8, 1
Carr 10, 1, 3
Coulibaly 6, 4, 3
Majerus 6, 7, 0
Griffin 6, 2, 0
Smith 4, 1, 1
Belton 2, 0, 0
Granville 0, 0, 2, 4 tos in 10 mins!
Johnson 0, 1, 4
[/INDENT]
Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 43-50%
REB: -9
TO: +2
Paint: -2
2nd Chance : +1
Fast Break: Even[/INDENT]


Other Notes

[INDENT]1. With their shots coming mostly from the outside, their 50% FG is actually pretty impressive. In most instances, we can offset an opposing team's hot outside shooting by dominating other areas of the game, but that didn't happened tonight; we even lost the rebounding battle.
2. Another horrible game by Granville taking care of the ball. I am now forced to start Johnson. I know he's a walk on, but not much choice now
3. ISR = 0.7
[/INDENT]


Standings

[INDENT]Sam Houston St, 9-2
Lamar, 6-5
Nicholls St, 6-5
Texas Arlington, 6-5
Texas A&M CC, 6-5
Central Arkansas, 5-6
Texas St, 5-6
Texas San Antonio, 1-10[/INDENT]

We still need 1 more win to clinch the regular season conference title