This week, the men’s basketball team is faced with some difficult tasks as they prepare to take on the Bobcats from Texas State and the Roadruners from UTSA.
Tonight, the Kats will take on the Cats at Johnson Coliseum at 7 p.m. While it should be a relatively easy victory for the Bearkats, it seems that nothing comes simple in the Southland Conference. Just this last week, the Bobcats won their first SLC game over the Roadrunners.
That being said, it should come as a blow out win for Sam Houston. Texas State (3-20, 1-11) is at the bottom of most of the statistical categories, including points scored per contest, rebounding and just about every defensive category.
For a school that prides itself in their athletics program, student morale towards basketball is at an all-time low. Rumblings have already begun among students.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Bearkats take on the Roadrunners (10-4, 5-8) on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The Roadrunners present a much more daunting task, as they are currently the number nine seed looking for wins so they can make the tournament. History has shown that desperate teams are usually the toughest down the stretch.
One thing working well for the Roadrunners is the play of Andre Owens. He is averaging 17 points per contest, as well as six rebounds. However, he is the only player from UTSA that cracks the top 25 in scoring for the conference.
Another thing that makes this game dangerous is the fact that the television cameras will be on. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southwest. Sam Houston has not faired well in televised games this season, going winless in two contests.
UTSA is playing with house money right now, and they have nothing to lose.
For the Bearkats, victories are important down the stretch. Their opponents’ record for the last four games is a combined 38-57, including a 17-32 conference record. To add onto that, the team that holds the
tie-breaker over them (McNeese State) has to play Northwestern State and SE Louisiana, two of the better teams in the conference.
Things seem to be looking up for the Kats, but the true test is yet to come.