Conference road series @ South Alabama

App State: 9-4 overall, 3-1 in conference.
South Alabama: 7-6 overall, 1-3 in conference. 5-1 at home but on a 3 game losing streak.

USA has beaten Florida Atlantic and Southern Miss.

Common Opponents: They played Auburn to within 9 at Auburn (who beat us by 14) and split 1-1 with Georgia Southern. All three losses in their streak have been by double digits.

***Watch on ESPN+ // Listen via appstatesports.com or the TuneIn app***

How should I feel after this weekend if we go:

2-0 - excited?
1-1 - ok
0-2 - we’re a bottom half SBC team?

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:53 pm

How should I feel after this weekend if we go:

2-0 - excited?
1-1 - ok
0-2 - we’re a bottom half SBC team?

2-0 definitely excited

1-1 - agree with okay, this is what I am expecting

0-2 - it still would be early but yeah bottom half of the East for sure

I’d be really disappointed with 2 losses to USA. They’re not a very good team. Being that arenas have no real atmosphere they’re a team we should be able to beat by 8-10.

Still no word on Kendall....

Stonewall wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:02 am

Still no word on Kendall....

We need a beat writer for basketball. Anyone know if the Watauga Democrat, High Country Press, or even the Appalachian serves as a beat writer? If any of them do we need to pump up their coverage.

HurricaneYosef wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:02 pm

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:53 pm

How should I feel after this weekend if we go:

2-0 - excited?
1-1 - ok
0-2 - we’re a bottom half SBC team?

2-0 definitely excited

1-1 - agree with okay, this is what I am expecting

0-2 - it still would be early but yeah bottom half of the East for sure

Agreed!

Ken Pom has the game close to a toss up although the stats/comparisons are all wonky since Kendall isn't playing and he actually leads the team in possession usage (however KP tracks it).

I haven't watched Michael Flowers play for SA yet, but his stat line is pretty blistering by Sunbelt standards to start the year. They actually have his closest comp as Donald Sims. We've given up a lot on the perimeter and unfortunately Flowers is shooting 40% from 3pt range so that'll be interesting to watch.

Bump! Line is USA -2.5

It’s go time Mountaineers. Let’s hear score predictions.

App 76 - USA 66

I'm going 74-72 App, back and forth game the entire ride.

We lose Friday by 5. Win Saturday by 15.

Mountaineers 76
SoAl - 70

Defensive stops spark Offensive buckets. Take the stairs!

Go! Fight!Win Apps!

As far as team rankings go...

NCAA NET App State #212, USA #216
KenPom App State #198, USA #218
RealTime RPI App State #143, USA #194

As far as 32 NCAA MBB conference rankings go...

KenPom #13 C-USA, #14 SoCon, #15 Sun Belt...just above the middle of the pack

RealTime RPI.com has App State the winner by 3 in both games. I'll take that weekend outcome in a heartbeat!

A split at the least. Possibility of winning both. Can’t lose both games. I say a split.

Looking good so far

Active hands on defense and good ball movement so far. We look crisp at the moment.

I wish Duhart would go up strong and draw a foul or throw it down. That’s what I miss most about K Lewis.

No answer for this 2-3 zone. 2 for 11 to finish the half. Proud of the effort and defense though. Really don’t want to see Eads or Parker launch another 3 this season.

We need to pound it in inside. Feel like we can wear this team down and pull away.

Tough foul on James Lewis Jr to start.