Path to the Hall of Fame

[randy]

6/12/96

Mike Riley chose Georgia Tech also. David Fields undecided

6/22

David Fields chose to transfer to Florida St

We decided not to pursue other prospects, and focus instead on the upcoming recruiting season

[randy]

Flye Griffin was selected in the 2nd round (#48 overall)

[randy]

Potential starting 5
1: Sr PG Joem Thomas, 6-3, 4.0 stars
2: Sr SG Charles Burditt, 6-5, 4.5 stars
3: So SF Angelo Wallace, 6-6, 3.0 stars
4: Jr PF Linehan Johnson, 6-7, 2.0 stars
5: Jr (JuCo) C Glendon Jackson, 6-9, 3.0 stars

Key bench players
1/2: Jr (JuCo) PG Ray Smith, 6-4, 4.0 stars
4/5: So PF Rashif McCoy, 6-8, 2.0 stars
3/4: Jr SF Dexter Thornton (walk on), 6-8, 3.0 stars
5: Sr C Chris Doss (walk on), 6-10, 1.5 stars
2: Sr SG Marlon Decker (walk on), 6-2, 1.5 stars

Bench warmers
1: Sr PG Keith Jackson, 5-11, 1.5 stars
1/2: Jr (JuCo) SG Dan Wilson, 6-1, 1.5 stars
5: Fr C Mark Lampley (walk on), 7-4, 1.0 stars

Red shirted
3/4: So SF Tyrone Willis, 6-7, 1.0/4.0 stars
4/5: Fr PF Joel Wilson, 6-8, 1.0/4.5 stars


My 3 best players are all guards: Burditt, Thomas, and Smith. At times during a game, I can put in a small lineup with these 3 guards all at the same time.

Rashif McCoy is my best offensive big man, and he'll be in the end game if necessary

Potential end game lineup (offense):
1: Thomas
2: Smith
3: Burditt
4: McCoy
5: Jackson

Potential end game lineup (defense):
1: Thomas
2: Smith
3: Burditt
4: Johnson
5: Jackson

[randy]

11/16/96: Sam Houston St (0-0) @ Weber St (0-0, 0-0)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: 1-3-1 zone
2. Offense focus: Balanced
3. Key players: So C Tyron Hodge
Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Balanced
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 7 / 60%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 9 / 8
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 zone / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:52, Up 11-2
WEB called an early timeout. My post players Johnson and Jackson scored 4 pts each, before Burditt connected on a 3 pt shot. Thomas with 2 fouls, so I have to bring in Ray Smith early.

11:45, Up 23-5
And another timeout by WEB. My new center Glendon Jackson (10 pts, 5-5 FG) is very comfortable on the post, while Burditt is consistent from the perimeter (9 pts, 4-7 FG). It's now time for the bench to see what they've got

7:24, Up 28-5
Smith got called for 3 quick fouls. I had to bring back Thomas who has 2. Thomas was called for another also. I had no choice but to play my 3rd string PG, Keith Jackson. WEB is 1-14 FG (7%)


Halftime, Up 41-15
G Jackson almost outscored the entire WEB team, stringing in 14 pts on 7-7 FG. Burditt has 11 pts. WEB shooting 19% FG. We're 1-6 FT


Start of 2nd Half

14:10, Up 55-29
WEB beginning to hit some shots, but we managed to answer. Time to experiment on some lineups, and then give the bench more playing time in the end


Final score: Sam Houston St - 70, Weber St - 45


Box Score

[INDENT]G Jackson 18, 5, 1, 9-10 FG (*)
Burditt 15, 3, 0
McCoy 10, 9, 2
Johnson 8, 4, 0
Smith 7, 2, 2
Wallace 4, 3, 0
Doss 4, 8, 1
Decker 3, 3, 0
Thomas 1, 4, 4
Thornton 0, 5, 0
K Jackson 0, 2, 4
Wilson 0, 1, 0
Lampley 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 44-32%
REB: +21
TO: -5
Paint: +28
2nd Chance : +16
Fast Break: +14
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. With the bench playing majority of the 2nd half, we were outscored 30-29. Results of our plays in the 2nd half were lots of misses and lots of off rebounds
2. I am impressed with our new set of big men - G Jackson, Johnson, McCoy, and throw in Doss as well. We simply out-hustled WEB: 18-4 advantage in offensive rebounds, 38-10 pts in the paint, and we did not allow WEB a single 2nd chance point
3. WEB's Tyron Hodge had 12 pts, 4 rebs
[/INDENT]

[randy]

11/19/96: Sam Houston St (1-0) @ Nevada (0-1)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: M2M
2. Offense focus: Outside (but they were 0-6 in their first game)
3. Key players: Jr C Jeff Stallings
4. We'll see if they can hit their outside shots, before we shift to m2m defense

Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Balanced
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 7 / 60%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 9 / 8
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 zone / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:57, Up 17-3
We forced NEV to call an early timeout. We had at least 8 fast break pts off turn overs. When we are not running, Johnson and Jackson are making a living on the paint (10 pts combined, 5-5 FG)

12:48, Up 23-10
Jackson already with 10 pts

7:26, 37-19
I'll switch to m2m defense, as NEV begins to connect on some outside shots


Halftime, Up 51-34
Much better offensive showing by Ray Smith as compared to his debut, who leads us with 15 pts (6-11 FG) coming off the bench


Start of 2nd Half

14:55, Up 62-46
Burditt scored 7 straight pts to start our 2nd half. NEV getting to the inside now. We'll go back to 2-3

11:32, Up 73-50
Smith (19 pts) continues to be our spark plug from the bench.

5:48, 82-58
Smith (23 pts) shows his versatility by taking it strong to the hoop twice

1:57, Up 86-68
NEV making some headway, but it's a little too late for them. I clear the bench


Final score: Sam Houston St - 93, Nevada - 71


Box Score

[INDENT]Smith 23, 3, 4, 3 stls, 4 blks (*)
Burditt 18, 1, 1, 2 stls
G Jackson 16, 8, 5, 3 stls, 8-10 FG
McCoy 6, 8, 0
Johnson 6, 3, 1
Wallace 6, 3, 0
Decker 6, 1, 0
Thomas 5, 3, 11, 2 stls
Thorton 5, 1, 0
Doss 2, 3, 1
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 56-47%
REB: +5
TO: -10
Paint: +40
2nd Chance : Even
Fast Break: +20
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. We had 31 fast break pts, which led to blowing up the game as early as the first half. With Smith playing well off the bench, we were able to sustain a consistent 40-minute effort on offense
2. We need to improve on our FTs; we're a combined 8-21 (38%) in our first 2 games. C Glendon Jackson is shooting 85% FG in the first 2 games
3. PF Bernie Rychart led NEV with 15 pts, 5 rebs
[/INDENT]

[randy]

11/23/96: Sam Houston St (2-0) @ Texas A&M (2-0)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: 1-3-1
2. Offense focus: Balanced
3. Key players: Sr PG Dana Ledoux 8.5 ppg, 4.5 apg)
4. Charles Burditt has a sore calf, but he is suited up to play (93%); I may have to limit his minutes

Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Favor Inside
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 7 / 60%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 9 / 8
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 zone / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

13:00, Up 11-6
Our first 4 possessions resulted in 4 turn overs. TEXAM not hitting their outside shots so we'll stick with 2-3

6:42, Down 13-18
We started 5-7 FG, but has shot 1-11 since then. TEXAM hits back-to-back 3s, so I'll adjust to m2m defense. We have 8 turn overs already


Halftime, Down 32-33
Not happy with the 12 turn overs at the half. We seem to have problems solving the 1-3-1 zone when we try to force it inside. I'll be switching to a more Balanced offense.

PF Linehan Johnson kept us in the game with 12 pts, 4 rebs. TEXAM's sub Ivan Crispin is 3-3 from 3PT. Burditt (5 pts) played only 7 minutes in the 1st half


Start of 2nd Half

15:51, Up 37-35
We went ahead on a long 3pt shot by Burditt. Thomas has 3 fouls, and with Burditt not 100%, I have to go deep into my guard rotation

11:59, Down 39-42
Ray Smith (4 pts, 2-9 FG) not hitting his shots, and so does the entire 2nd unit. Plus we're giving away easy baskets on the paint

7:05, Down 49-52
TEXAM's Ivan Crispin has just hit his 4th triple. I'll bring back Thomas and Burditt, to play with Smith on a 3 guard lineup

4:06, Down 51-56
Glendon Jackson goes back into the game; together with our 3 gurds plus Linehan Johnson, we have our best unit on the floor now

SAM: Thomas missed. Jackson with off rebound. The out back is good. Down 3
TEXAM: Thomas called for his 4th foul. We have 8 team fouls. Hits both. Down 5
SAM: Johnson hits a jumper from top of the key. Down 3. Johnson has 18 pts
TEXAM: Their SG hits a running jumper. Down 5
SAM: Burditt missed a shot
TEXAM: They turn the ball over. I call a time out

We will set up motion plays from hereon (no off freedom)

2:37, Down 55-60

SAM: Jackson hits a medium-range jumper. Down 3
TEXAM: They run another shuffle play, allowing their SG tto drive to the hoop again. They score. Down 5
SAM: Burditt takes the shot. Miss. We get the rebound. Smith a 3 pt shot attempt. Missed as well
TEXAM: We steal
SAM: Jackson was fouled while attempting a shot on the low post. 2 FTs. Miss the 1st. Hits the 2nd

1:04, Down 58-62

TEXAM: We get another steal, but we turn the ball over. Wasted opportunity

TEXAM: They waste some time. We get another steal. Time out

0:24, Down 58-62

We'll not force a 3. If we get a 2, then we can foul afterwards

SAM: Smith gives it to Jackson on the post. Jackson makes his move. Traveling!

0:17 remaining. We have to give up a foul, and shoot 3s

They hit both FTs to seal the game


Final score: Sam Houston St - 58, Texas A&M - 64


Box Score

[INDENT]Johnson 18, 5, 2
G Jackson 17, 7, 0, 4 tos
Burditt 8, 3, 0, 2 stls
Thomas 5, 4, 10, 6 tos!
Smith 4, 3, 3
Wallace 2, 5, 0, 2 stls
McCoy 2, 4, 0
Thorton 2, 3, 0
Decker 0, 2, 2, 2 stls
Doss 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 40-49%
REB: +8
TO: Even (21 each)
Paint: +2
2nd Chance : +9
Fast Break: +2
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. Offensive execution was very poor today. Plus, we did not get to the line until the last 2 mins of the game. Despite those negatives, we had several opportunities to get back late in the game, but we didn't take advantage
2. Burditt (8 pts) limited to 18 mins. Joem Thomas and Ray Smith combined for only 9 pts on 4-20 FG shooting
3. TEXAM's C Ivan Newby was named best player: 6 pts, 9 rebs, 3 blks
[/INDENT]

[randy]

11/26/96: Sam Houston St (2-1) @ Missouri (1-2)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: M2M
2. Offense focus: Balanced
3. Key players: So SF David Eisley (8.3 ppg)
4. They have a thin bench in the front court, which probably explains why 2 of their players averaging more than 31 mpg. They scored only 50 pts in their 2 losses

Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Favor Inside
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 7 / 60%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 9 / 8
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 zone / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:30, Up 12-4
Our big men Johnson and Jackson has combined for 10 pts.

11:34, Up 21-11
We are more aggressive driving to the hoop, resulting in 13 FTAs

7:56, Up 31-24
We'll shift to m2m, as MIZZOU is 4-9 3PT. Burditt continues to be aggressive on offense, with 15 pts


Halftime, Up 56-43
Notwithstanding our good offensive showing, giving up 43 pts at the half is not acceptable. Both teams have gone to the FT line a lot; we're 15-19, MIZZOU is 11-12

Smith and Burditt in double figures with 17 and 15. MIZZOU's C Erik Smith leads them with 10


Start of 2nd Half

14:45, Up 64-59
MIZZOU opened up the half on an 8-0 run. It's been close since then. Our defense is totally non-existent today

11:04, Up 77-63
Burditt has kept us ahead in this game, with 28 pts already

7:21, Up 82-65
Well, neither can MIZZOU guard a flagpole. Both Burditt and Smith now with 20+ pts

3:36, Up 84-67
We went cold, but MIZZOU couldn't capitalized. Will clear the bench in a while


Final score: Sam Houston St - 91, Missouri - 79


Box Score

[INDENT]Burditt 28, 2, 0 (*)
Smith 20, 2, 6
G Jackson 14, 4, 0, fouled out
Thomas 9, 3, 6
Johnson 6, 8, 2
Decker 6, 3, 0
McCoy 4, 3, 2
Doss 4, 2, 0, fouled out
Thorton 0, 4, 0, 2 stls
Wallace 0, 2, 2
Lampley 0, 1, 0
K Jackson 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 57-44%
REB: +9
TO: Even
Paint: +20
2nd Chance : +4
Fast Break: +2
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. My 2 centers both fouled out. We just got lucky that Burditt and Smith were both hitting their shots. Having made 22 FTs (out of 32) also helped. A total of 43 fouls were called (20-23)
2. I had 4 different players leading the scoring in our 1st 4 games. Good sign
3. Audrey Baker lead 3 MIZZOU players in double figures, with 14 pts
4. My seldom-used Fr C Mark Lampley (7-1, 300 lbs) looked like a big stiff at the court; can't move in defense, can't rebound, and even missed both FT attempts
[/INDENT]

[randy]

11/30/96: Clemson (4-0) @ Sam Houston St (3-1)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: 2-3 zone
2. Offense focus: Balanced
3. Key players: Jr PF Ryan Evans (14.0 pts, 7.8 rebs)
4. Clemson had 3 home blowouts against weaker opponents, and a road win against Illinios. They have 3 starters averaging in double figures. They don't have a true PG in their starting lineup, so we figure we can force them to commit turn overs

Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Balanced
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 7 / 60%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 9 / 8
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 zone / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:30, Up 12-4
I like the way Burditt has shifted his focus to drive more, rather than hoisting up lots of outside shots

11:35, Up 21-12
Burditt (9 pts) has gone to the FT line 6 times already.

4:49, Up 32-20
Quality minutes for PF Rashif McCoy, hitting back-to-back shots


Halftime, Up 46-31
Burditt and Smith took over in finishing the 1st half with a good run. They combine for 26 pts. We shot 68% FG in the 1st half.


Start of 2nd Half

14:45, Up 55-38
We're doing ok with the 2-3 zone, but our PGs are fouling a lot. We'll go to m2m defense now

7:33, Up 63-40
We begin to force CLEM into some turnovers. Will start pulling away our starters


Final score: Clemson - 55, Sam Houston St - 79


Box Score

[INDENT]Burditt 19, 3, 4, 2 stls, 2 blks, 6-8 FT (*)
Smith 15, 4, 3
Johnson 10, 7, 1
Thomas 10, 4, 3, 2 stls
McCoy 8, 6, 2, 3 stls, 3 blks
Wallace 5, 1, 0
G Jackson 4, 3, 2
Thorton 4, 2, 1
Decker 2, 1, 1
Doss 2, 1, 1
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 58-32%
REB: +1
TO: -9
Paint: +26 (32-6)
2nd Chance : -2
Fast Break: +10
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. Much more satisfying win, than the 91 pt performance we had against Missouri. Defense was good, and we turned the ball over only 8 times. The payers are getting more comfortable on our rotation
2. CLEM's SG Ryan Boozer led them with 13 pts, but was only 5-16 FG. Ryan Evans limited well below his average, coming up with only 4 pts (1-5 FG)
3. We continue to stink at the line, 12-19 (63%) today. Our season average of 58.1% FT is 4th worst in the country
[/INDENT]

[randy]

12/3/96: Sam Houston St (4-1) @ Evansville (1-6)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: M2M
2. Offense focus: Balanced
3. Key players: Jr SF Bernard Borman (10.6 ppg)
4. In Evansville's last 3 losses, they gave up 77 ppg. They don't have quality scorers as well.

Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Balanced
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 7 / 60%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 9 / 8
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: 2-3 zone / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:43, Up 10-5
EVAN shooting 2-8 FG


Halftime, Up 45-32
Despite the fact that we outshot them (54-41% FG), out rebounded (22-11), and had more FTAs (10-2), EVAN is still within striking distance trailing by only 13 pts.

Ray Smith is perfect thus far, 6-6 FG for 12 pts. Burditt with 11. EVAN's Borman has 8 pts


Start of 2nd Half

18:28, Up 45-37
Two turn overs, and 2 productive offensive plays by EVAN. Lead is only single digits. We seem to relax every time we face a seemingly weaker opponent. I called a timeout to wake them up. We'll shift to m2m defense now.

15:09, Up 51-42
We got baskets by Burditt and Johnson, but EVAN still keeping it close

10:54, Up 60-46
We started dominating the off glass. Rashif McCoy big off the bench with 6 pts and 6 off rebs

7:54, Up 64-52
We go back to 2-3, as EVAN is driving to the hoop at every opportunity

4:17, Up 70-54
3 consecutive turn overs by EVAN, and most likely removes any opportunity for a comeback


Final score: Sam Houston St - 80, Evansville - 63


Box Score

[INDENT]Smith 20, 7, 1, 9-11 FG (*)
Burditt 20, 4, 1
Johnson 14, 6, 0, 2 blks
Thomas 9, 9, 7, 3 blks
G Jackson 8, 11, 1
McCoy 7, 11, 1
Thorton 2, 1, 0
Wallace 0, 2, 1
Decker 0, 0, 1
Dos 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 48-39%
REB: +29 (51-22)
TO: +4
Paint: +28
2nd Chance : +10
Fast Break: +2
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. While many would have thought that we can simply outscore EVAN, it was our rebounding which spelled the difference in this game.
2. Bernard Borman had a big game for EVAN, scoring 22 pts on 9-14 FG
3. Yet another poor FT shooting performance for us, 13-20 (65%)
[/INDENT]

[randy]

12/7/96: Mississippi (3-3) @ Sam Houston St (5-1)

Scouting Report
1. Primary defense: M2M
2. Offense focus: Outside
3. Key players: Sr SF Henry Miller (18.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
4. Aside from Miller, Mississippi does not have anyone averaging more than 6 ppg. The 6-8 Miller starts at the "2" position, so he'll pose some matchup problems with our guards; we should double him

Initial instructions

[INDENT]1. Offense Sets / Focus: Auto / Balanced
2. Offense Pace / Freedom: 7 / 60%
3. Off / Def Rebounding Crash: 9 / 8
4. Defense Sets / Intensity: M2M (double on Miller) / 8
5. Pressure Set / Frequency: Auto / 3
[/INDENT]


Tip off (1st Half)

15:04, Up 11-9
OLEMIS' Miller immediately makes a move (either put up a shot or drive to the lane) before the double team arrives; we need to be quicker in double teaming him

11:55, Up 17-9
OLEMIS with 5 turn overs

6:36, Up 27-16
We go to a 3 guard lineup only when OLEMIS' Miller is on the bench, and we go to a 2-3 zone. Otherwise, our SFs Wallace and Thorton will continue to guard him


Halftime, Up 44-31
We're playing a solid all-around game. Our 13 fouls, which resulted 16 FTAs for OLEMIS, has kept them in the game. OLEMIS' Henry Miller put up 5 pts in the first 5 mins of the half, and has been scoreless since then


Start of 2nd Half

16:54, Up 50-42
OLEMIS' Miller went nuts scoring all 11 of their points in the 2nd half; all of a sudden, he has 16 pts

14:46, Up 56-44
We denied Miller to get the ball on their next 3 possessions.

11:56, Up 64-48
Burditt continues to drive to the lane and get to the FT line. Glendon Jackson also starting to dominate the paint. It it OLEMIS turn to go to the penalty early

6:54, Up 76-54
Good continuity in our offense, regardless of who's on the floor. 4 players in double figure scoring now. OLEMIS' Miller has gone quiet since that explosion early in the half

3:02, Up 86-60
I pulled out my starters. Solid performance from everyone


Final score: Mississippi - 74, Sam Houston St - 95


Box Score

[INDENT]Burditt 20, 2, 4, 3 blks (*)
Smith 17, 7, 6
Johnson 17, 4, 4, 3 stls
G Jackson 14, 5, 1
McCoy 10, 5, 0
Thomas 5, 3, 3
Wallace 4, 4, 1
Thorton 4, 3, 0
Decker 2, 1, 0
Doss 2, 0, 0
[/INDENT]

Team Stats Comparisons

[INDENT]FG: 57-45%
REB: +7
TO: -6
Paint: +28
2nd Chance : -4
Fast Break: +2
[/INDENT]


Post Game Notes

[INDENT]1. Not a bad performance for OLEMIS, but they just couldn't keep up against our offense for the entire 40 mins. With 2 players from our bench scoring in double figures, we're hard to beat. It's also a bonus that we shot 80% from the line today (20-25)
2. OLEMIS' Henry Miller finished with 21 pts.
3. During our current 4-game winning streak, Burditt and Smith have combined an average of 40 ppg
[/INDENT]