ASU @ Texas State Sat. 1.24 5:30 PM ET San Marcos, TX
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 10:15 am
ESPN RPI #278 ASU (7-10, 4-4 SunBelt) is in the air today on a flight to Austin, Texas for tomorrow afternoon's contest with ESPN RPI #189 Texas State (10-8, 4-5 SunBelt) in San Marcos. ASU will be shooting for its fourth consecutive conference win and sole possession of sixth place in the conference standings. The Apps are in the dead center of the standings; percentage points ahead of Tx State who lost a two point defensive struggle with GaSouth on its home hardwood last night.
The numbers make the Apps four to fourteen point dogs for several reasons. The Apps are on a winning streak and will be eager to extend it. Can they live up to their recent press? The Bobcats are on a three game losing streak and will be hell-bent to end it. And the 'Cats have the home court advantage and power rating.
Despite the power rating differential, there is reason to be optimistic about tomorrow's game. The Apps have been playing never-say-die basketball; and improving each night out. On the other hand, Tx State is in a shooting slump. They shot just 32% from the floor last night; and only 9% from behind the arc. If that continues, the Apps could well extend the win streak. Look for a defensive struggle and very physical play.
One major concern is the health of Frank Eaves. He sustained some sort of injury on a fast break play last night and played the last 12 minutes of the game with a limp and a grimace on his face.
Despite T-dog's blog yesterday, saying this would be the first meeting between the two teams, it will actually be the second meeting. The Bobcats beat the Apps 79-68 in the 2010 Cancun Governor's Cup Holiday Tourney in Mexico. Some of you will remember that Christmas Tourney during which Capel let his players party at night with no restrictions and no curfew. They left Cancun with three losses and with two players on suspension and several others on a short leash for high jinx inappropriate for representatives of our university.
The numbers make the Apps four to fourteen point dogs for several reasons. The Apps are on a winning streak and will be eager to extend it. Can they live up to their recent press? The Bobcats are on a three game losing streak and will be hell-bent to end it. And the 'Cats have the home court advantage and power rating.
Despite the power rating differential, there is reason to be optimistic about tomorrow's game. The Apps have been playing never-say-die basketball; and improving each night out. On the other hand, Tx State is in a shooting slump. They shot just 32% from the floor last night; and only 9% from behind the arc. If that continues, the Apps could well extend the win streak. Look for a defensive struggle and very physical play.
One major concern is the health of Frank Eaves. He sustained some sort of injury on a fast break play last night and played the last 12 minutes of the game with a limp and a grimace on his face.
Despite T-dog's blog yesterday, saying this would be the first meeting between the two teams, it will actually be the second meeting. The Bobcats beat the Apps 79-68 in the 2010 Cancun Governor's Cup Holiday Tourney in Mexico. Some of you will remember that Christmas Tourney during which Capel let his players party at night with no restrictions and no curfew. They left Cancun with three losses and with two players on suspension and several others on a short leash for high jinx inappropriate for representatives of our university.
