UTSA (13-13, 7-8 CUSA) at LaTech (22-7, 13-3 CUSA), 6pm tip.
Not much has changed with respects to LaTech since our first outing against them. LaTech has won 10 of their last 13 and recently claimed the top spot in CUSA with only three days of regular season ball left to play. If you're one of those peeps who don't regularly follow the game until closer to tourney time, here's what to expect from LaTech today:
LaTech is extremely quick in transition. After securing a defensive rebound their guys are always looking up-court and pushing the ball. You can forget the pull up mid-range J or square up pop shot from outside with these guys. Whether it's a lob to the man riding the baseline for the dunk or just straight hard drive down the middle, LaTech attacks in transition.
In half-court play, they have guys that can consistently hit shots from any spot on the floor. They are an unselfish team and move the ball extremely well. LaTech is led by Raheem Appleby (15.6ppg) and Alex Hamilton (15.7ppg). Michale Kyser is another guy who moves well without the ball and is rewarded with lobs for easy dunks inside.
They play with great intensity on the defensive side as well. Their athleticism allows them to contest shots inside despite any size disadvantage. Good speed and crisp switches on coverage make them a tough team to score against. LaTech is also know to switch up inbound play and press the ball early.
So what's it going to take for UTSA to steal this game? Perfection.
Early reports are that UTSA will be without a key piece of their offense tonight. Kaj did not play against S. Miss on Thursday due to lower back issues and is questionable for tonight. This is the same injury that sidelined him for a couple of games last year. Kaj is averaging 12ppg and 7 boards this season. Missing him from tonight's game would be a huge blow for UTSA. If Kaj ends up sitting this one out I would expect a heavy rotation between O'Brien, Ringholt and Jones. All three of them will need to be aggressive offensively taking advantage of any scoring opportunities they get. The majority of the pressure will be on Jeromie tonight. He's been one of our most consistent players all year. Hill may play a little closer in the block than usual if Kaj doesn't play tonight. One disadvantage of having Hill play low inside is that our perimeter scoring decreases tremendously. Keon Lewis and Ryan Bowie's on court success has been a nice surprise this year and are averaging 15 and 13 ppg, respectively. We'll need both those guy's to contribute at least double-digits in tonight's game.
LaTech is good at the one thing UTSA has been horrible defending all year, the 3-ball. The high PnR and high screens are going to have to be played tight. Our guards are going to have to fight through the screens and give their shooters little to no space to rise and shoot. LaTech also ran a good number of high PnR against us and got several mismatches for easy dunks inside. O'Brien, Ringholt, and Jones will have to anticipate those plays and be ready for the switch or to roll back.
Another tough match-up for UTSA tonight will be the home crowd. LaTech is riding a 27 win-streak at home. A win tonight would almost guarantee a regular season title for LaTech so the crowd will definitely be into this game.
Best of luck to our guy's tonight! GO RUNNERS!!!
Not much has changed with respects to LaTech since our first outing against them. LaTech has won 10 of their last 13 and recently claimed the top spot in CUSA with only three days of regular season ball left to play. If you're one of those peeps who don't regularly follow the game until closer to tourney time, here's what to expect from LaTech today:
LaTech is extremely quick in transition. After securing a defensive rebound their guys are always looking up-court and pushing the ball. You can forget the pull up mid-range J or square up pop shot from outside with these guys. Whether it's a lob to the man riding the baseline for the dunk or just straight hard drive down the middle, LaTech attacks in transition.
In half-court play, they have guys that can consistently hit shots from any spot on the floor. They are an unselfish team and move the ball extremely well. LaTech is led by Raheem Appleby (15.6ppg) and Alex Hamilton (15.7ppg). Michale Kyser is another guy who moves well without the ball and is rewarded with lobs for easy dunks inside.
They play with great intensity on the defensive side as well. Their athleticism allows them to contest shots inside despite any size disadvantage. Good speed and crisp switches on coverage make them a tough team to score against. LaTech is also know to switch up inbound play and press the ball early.
So what's it going to take for UTSA to steal this game? Perfection.
Early reports are that UTSA will be without a key piece of their offense tonight. Kaj did not play against S. Miss on Thursday due to lower back issues and is questionable for tonight. This is the same injury that sidelined him for a couple of games last year. Kaj is averaging 12ppg and 7 boards this season. Missing him from tonight's game would be a huge blow for UTSA. If Kaj ends up sitting this one out I would expect a heavy rotation between O'Brien, Ringholt and Jones. All three of them will need to be aggressive offensively taking advantage of any scoring opportunities they get. The majority of the pressure will be on Jeromie tonight. He's been one of our most consistent players all year. Hill may play a little closer in the block than usual if Kaj doesn't play tonight. One disadvantage of having Hill play low inside is that our perimeter scoring decreases tremendously. Keon Lewis and Ryan Bowie's on court success has been a nice surprise this year and are averaging 15 and 13 ppg, respectively. We'll need both those guy's to contribute at least double-digits in tonight's game.
LaTech is good at the one thing UTSA has been horrible defending all year, the 3-ball. The high PnR and high screens are going to have to be played tight. Our guards are going to have to fight through the screens and give their shooters little to no space to rise and shoot. LaTech also ran a good number of high PnR against us and got several mismatches for easy dunks inside. O'Brien, Ringholt, and Jones will have to anticipate those plays and be ready for the switch or to roll back.
Another tough match-up for UTSA tonight will be the home crowd. LaTech is riding a 27 win-streak at home. A win tonight would almost guarantee a regular season title for LaTech so the crowd will definitely be into this game.
Best of luck to our guy's tonight! GO RUNNERS!!!
