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SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
MULERIDERS
6-6 (4-2 GAC)
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HENDERSON STATE
REDDIES
10-2 (5-1 GAC)
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ARKANSAS TECH
WONDER BOYS
7-3 (3-3 GAC)
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GAME NOTES (PDF)
Tipping Off
The Southern Arkansas men's basketball team is one of the top defensive teams in the Great American Conference ranking in the top-two in the league in Field Goal Defense (1st | .376), Rebounding (1st | 42.8 rpg). Scoring Defense (2nd | 68.1 ppg), and 3-Point Field Goal Defense (2nd | .290). That defensive prowess, however, will be put to the test this week as SAU's two opponents, Henderson State and Arkansas Tech enter play this weekend as the top-two scoring offenses in the GAC at 88.6 and 87.3 points per game, respectively.
The first test will come on the road this Thursday at Henderson State and then the Muleriders return home on Saturday to take on the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech.
MULERIDER NEWS & NOTES
The Southern Arkansas men's basketball team enters play this weekend with a 6-6 overall record and a 4-2 mark in the GAC. The Muleriders are coming off of a loss in their most recent game and have dropped four of their last five games.
On the season, the Muleriders are averaging 71.8 points per game, which ranks 11th in the GAC. Defensively, the Muleriders rank second in scoring defense in the GAC at 68.1 points per game, and their +3.7 scoring margin ranks seventh in the league.
As a team, the Muleriders are shooting .419 (294-of-702) overall from the floor which includes a shooting mark of .302 (64-of-212) from long range. From the free throw line, the Muleriders are shooting .659 (209-of-317). Their overall field goal percentage ranks 11th in the GAC while their 3-point field goal percentage ranks 12th. At the charity stripe the Muleriders' percentage ranks 11th.
Individually, the Muleriders have two players who are averaging double figures in scoring with
CJ Elkins leading the team at 18.1 points per game. Elkins' scoring average ranks fifth in the GAC.
Snyder Cenecharles is next on the team at 11.2 ppg.
The leading rebounder on the team is
Denarious Lockhart with 8.9 rpg. Elkins is the top assist man on the team with an average of 2.4 assists per game.
COACH
The Muleriders are coached by
Andy Sharpe, who is in his fifth season at Southern Arkansas. In his time at SAU, Sharpe has amassed a 58-60 overall record.
Over the past two seasons, Sharpe has begun to turn the Muleriders into serious contenders in the GAC as SAU has won 24 conference games and have finished in the top half of the standings each year as well. Overall in the past two seasons, Sharpe has guided the Muleriders to a 32-25 record while also posting consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.
SCOUTING HENDERSON STATE
The Henderson State men's basketball team enters play with a 10-2 overall record and are 5-1 in the Great American Conference. The Reddies are riding a six-game winning streak with their last defeat coming back at the first of December against East Central. During their streak, Henderson has scored 80 or more points in all six games and have topped the century mark in three of those contests.
As a team, the Reddies are shooting .506 (399-of-788) overall from the floor which includes a shooting mark of .324 (69-of-213) from long range. From the free throw line, the Reddies are shooting .754 (181-of-240). Their overall field goal percentage ranks first in the GAC while their 3-point field goal percentage ranks 10th. At the charity stripe the Reddies' percentage ranks first.
So far this season, the Reddies are averaging 87.3 points per game offensively, and are allowing a 71.3 points per game defensively. Their points per game scoring ranks second in the GAC while their scoring defense per game ranks fourth.
Three Reddies are averaging double-figures in scoring with Kaylon Tappin leading the team with 17.4 points per game. Chris Hawkins is next at 13.3 ppg and Kevin Kozan rounds out double-digit scoring at 11.1 ppg. Hawkins is also the team's leading rebounder at 6.9 rebounds per game. Eric Dailey is the team's top assist man at 2.9 assists per game.
COACH
The Reddies are coached by Jimmy Elgas, who is in his second season at Henderson State. Last season, Elgas' Reddies finished 9-19 overall and were 7-15 in the GAC.
Prior to becoming head coach at Henderson, Elgas was the top assistant at the University of Evansville. While at Evansville, Eglas helped lead the Aces to five post-season appearances.
LAST YEAR/LAST TIME OUT
Last year, SAU and Henderson State met twice with SAU claiming both games. In their most-recent game against one another, SAU picked up an 85-61 win on the road.
THE SERIES
This is the 42nd meeting since 1997-98 between SAU and Henderson State with the two teams meeting at least twice a year in that time as conference opponents. This portion of the all-time series is controlled by Henderson, 26-15, but SAU has won three of the last four.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS TECH
The Arkansas Tech basketball team enters play this weekend with a 7-3 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the Great American Conference. The Wonder Boys dropped their most recent game at home against East Central, but had won their previous four games.
On the season, the Wonder Boys are averaging 88.6 points per game, which ranks first in the GAC. Defensively, the Wonder Boys are allowing 84.0 points per game, ranking their scoring defense 12th in the GAC. Their +4.6 scoring margin ranks fifth in the league.
As a team, the Wonder Boys are shooting .441 (319-of-723) overall from the floor which includes a shooting mark of .347 (116-of-334) from long range. From the free throw line, the Wonder Boys are shooting .670 (132-of-197). Their overall field goal percentage ranks eighth in the GAC while their 3-point field goal percentage ranks fourth. At the charity stripe the Wonder Boys' percentage ranks 10th.
Individually, four Wonder Boys are averaging double figures with Alex Brown leading the way at 16.4 points per game. Bennie Lufile is the team's leading rebounder at 10.4 boards per game. Justin Graham is the leading assist man on the team at 6.4 assists per game.
COACH
The Wonder Boys are coached by Chad Kline, who is in his third season at Arkansas Tech. In his two seasons as head coach, Kline has led the Wonder Boys to a 33-28 overall record and a GAC Tournament Championship in his first season.
Prior to being named the head coach at Tech, Kline was an assistant coach in the program for three years under former head man Doug Karleskint.
LAST YEAR/LAST TIME OUT
Last year, SAU and Arkansas Tech met twice with the two teams splitting the matchups. In those games, the road team emerged victorious.
THE SERIES
This is the 40th meeting since 1997-98 between SAU and Arkansas Tech and Tech holds a 25-14 advantage. SAU and ATU have met at least twice a year in that time as conference opponents.
