The No.3-seeded Sam Houston State Bearkats (17-14) take on the Nicholls Colonels (11-22) in the second round of the SthLnd tournament at Leonard E. Merrell Center. The game starts at 8:30 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 10 and will air on ES3.
The Bearkats lost big to Stephen F. Austin 85-64 the last time they played. Jovante’ Spivey was the team’s high scorer, contributing 15. The Colonels, meanwhile, are coming off a 94-90 win over McNeese State in the 1. Ja’Dante’ Frye stood out for Nicholls, recording 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, ball protection could play an integral role in this matchup. Sam Houston State commits the 11th-fewest miscues in the nation (TO% of 16.6%), while Nicholls’s ball-hawking defense forces the 21st-most (opponents’ TO% of 19.3%). Furthermore, the 334th-ranked offense of the Colonels (offensive efficiency of 94.1) will face a tough test against the 26th-ranked defense of the Bearkats (defensive efficiency of 102.2).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Bearkats won the first game 87-76. Jamal Williams was a top performer in the victory with 17 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Notes
Sam Houston State lost its last game by a 21-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Nicholls is 3-9. Sam Houston State is 7-4 in blowouts this season.
The Sam Houston State Bearkats have a defensive rating of 102.2 (ranked 26th), while the Nicholls Colonels have an offensive rating of 94.1 (ranked 334th).
The Sam Houston State Bearkats average a field goal percentage of 43.6% this season. The Nicholls Colonels have an underachieving record of 3-14 when opponents have a FG% of 43.6% or greater.
The Sam Houston State Bearkats rank lower for their field goal percentage (204th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (192nd), but the Nicholls Colonels have a better FG% ranking (273rd) than eFG% ranking (281st).
The Sam Houston State Bearkats rank 15th in assists per game with an average of 17.1. The Nicholls Colonels are among the worst in the country with 12.8 assists per game (ranked 212th).
Nicholls, the 35th-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 4.9 per game. Sam Houston State does worse, ranked 346th with 1.6.
The Sam Houston State defense has forced an average TO% of 19.5% this season (ranked 19th). In games where it gives up a TO% of 19% or greater, Nicholls has an abysmal 5-16 record.
