The streak is at 12 in a row!
And ironically enough, Terry Sellers’ Bobcats are going for win number 13 against no. 7 Augusta State University on Thursday night.
Hmmm…trying to track down number 13 (we all know the negative implications of that number). Is it also a coincidence both teams’ mascots are members of the feline family?
This is setting up to be an outstanding matchup. Heck, I don’t even know where to begin with this one.
Therefore, I’ll let you know that the Bobcats are fresh off a 74-67 victory on Saturday against Clayton State. Georgia College got a new career high from junior guard Andre Mikell. ‘Dre put up 19 points, including 3-5 from behind the arc. Senior point guard Ty Rowland also chipped in with 18 points.
What was most impressing about the victory for GCSU?
-GCSU came back from an 11-point deficit at intermission to claim the lead midway through the second period.
-The Bobcats, as a team, committed just three turnovers for the entire game! That’s 1.5 turns a half and 1 miscue every 13.33 mins!
-During this recent twelve-game streak, we have seen a terrific display of shooting from the free-throw line. Against Clayton, Georgia College was 28-31 from the stripe, hitting 90.3%. (As an aside, GCSU averages 20 tosses per game from the charity stripe during the recent winning stretch).
The Bobcats, however got a scare during the game. Senior guard Graham Martin (15.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) suffered a mild concussion in the second period after crashing head-first into the steel bleachers in one of the Centennial Center end zones. Martin left towards the beginning of the second half, and did not return.
(Gasp. Inhale)
After speaking with Martin in class today, though, he said he is fine and ready to go.
(and exhale!)
Which brings us to this week…
The Bobcats recently jumped in the national poll, moving seven slots to no.14 on Tuesday afternoon. Augusta State also jumped, moving up five spots to no.7 in the nation.
What a match-up! This is a broadcaster’s dream: A packed house, two great teams battling it out, and perhaps a matchup that has postseason implications come conference and national tourney time.
So, what’s so great about Augusta?
Let’s begin with All-American senior guard Ben Madgen (18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists). Madgen is an excellent fundamental player: he can dribble, he can shoot, and he can shoot off the dribble.
Throw in senior guard/forward Fred Brathwaite (16.3 points, 7.8 rebounds), then you definitely have a sold one-two punch.
Don’t forget about senior guard Daniel Dixon (11 points, 4.7 assists) out front, too. Notice the trend? All of the three are seniors, meaning these Jaguars have experience.
Let me throw in one more senior: forward Alex Smith (14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds).
I think that about covers the big names for Augusta.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Georgia College is talented. But this is an Augusta State team that has seen success deep into the postseason. Just a short two years ago, the Jaguars played for all the marbles, falling just short of being named a national champion in the DII Tourney.
The Bobcats have experience, too. GCSU will put the 13 game winning streak on the line Thursday.
So, we’ve covered the attack for Augusta. But what are the keys to the game?
Glad you asked!
1) How well can Georgia College defend the perimeter? By that, can the Bobcat defense (either the Vegas Zone or Man-D) stop the dribble-drive-and-kick style offense that ASU has almost perfected? The Bobcats can not allow Madgen, Brathwaite, and Dixon to see easy looks at the basket because of the inability to stop the basketball. Staying in a defensive/athletic stance must be an emphasis the whole game. It’s odd to say, but this is the one out of a hundred times you might say “I’d rather get beat from the inside than the outside/outside-half.”
2) I’ll be looking at the rebounding numbers throughout the contest. Georgia College was out-duled on the glass last time out against Clayton by 17. Augusta State allows teams to lasso just 26.8 rebounds per outing. The Bobcat forwards (junior Josh Hurst, sophomore Ryan Aquino and reserve senior center Rob Thomas) must play big on the interior. The term “playing big” mean’s gaining position, using your body-hand and arms- to grab rebounds. Georgia College must box out on every shot! The Bobcats were torched on second-chance tries by Clayton 21-7 last Saturday.
3) Will Georgia College have a second option just in case the three-point shot doesn’t fall regularly? We live and die by the long-ball. That looks to stay true against Augusta State.
4) The bench play will be imperative. I can’t stress this enough! Comparing the four main bench players of each team, GCSU leads by just 4.9 points at 17.7-12.8. If the Bobcats can get significant minutes from the men on the pine, things will stay close the whole match. (As an aside…when junior guard Andre Mikell scores in double-figures, Georgia College is 7-0 on the year. Hence the nickname “Mr. Sparkplug!”)
5) Close games always come down to free throws most of the time. During this twelve game streak, GCSU is right around 80 percent as a team from the line. On the season, the Jaguars are 73.8 percent, whereas GCSU is 76.4.
Which guard set will prevail? Rowland-Martin-Rios of GCSU, or Madgen-Dixon-Brathwaite of ASU?
Those are a few places to begin. I’m sure we’ll see more stories unfold as the game progresses Thursday night.
I’ve been told Georgia College will be taking two large caravans to the game to support the women’s and men’s teams. ASU averages 1,516 per game…GCSU looks to take some of that away!
Now that’s what it’s all about!
And Scott MacLeod and myself will tell you all about at 7:20 on Thursday night on Country 102.3 fm in Milledgeville or online at www.country102fm.com (wkzr link).
This one is going to be a doozey!
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