Men's Hoops Streak Ends at 12, Look to Start New Streak vs. USC-Aiken

The streak ended at 12 this past Thursday night at no.7 Augusta State. The no.14 Bobcats were defeated by the Jaguars 84-67 on a dismal night shooting, highlighted by the fact that the Bobcats were without their senior leader/guard/MVP Graham Martin (15.6 points).

But, that’s the game of basketball (and life, really). There are no excuses. You tip your cap to the other team, and hope to see Augusta State in the Peach Belt Conference Finals later this month.

Now, it’s on to USC-Aiken. The Pacers are 13-8 and 8-6 in the PBC-east.

Led by a great guard attack, Aiken presents many matchup problems for GCSU.

With that, here are the keys for the game this afternoon:

1) We are going to see a lot of three-point attempts in this one, folks. The Bobcats and Pacers are first and second in the conference in three’s made per game, respectively. Obviously it’s the calling card of both teams. However, if one team goes flat from beyond the arc, where do you go?

2) The answer to the question above for GCSU is you pound the ball inside. Senior center Rob Thomas has been playing terrific of late, using his 6’10 prowess and strength to muscle up down low. However, Thomas comes off the pine. Therefore, if the three ball is not clicking, junior forward Josh Hurst and sophomore forward Ryan Aquino have help the team realize that ball rotation from the inside to the outside is imperative.

3) Will the Pacers play defense? Aiken is eleventh of thirteen teams in points allowed this season at 75.2. If there is no defense, then watch out. This one will be a blow out!

4) Perhaps the biggest story line of the game is getting Martin back from the concussion the senior guard acquired last Saturday against Clayton State. (Rules are, you must sit out a week if suffering a concussion) Will Martin be effective is the question? It’s great to have your leading scorer back, and obviously the Bobcats need Martin for the long-haul headed down the stretch run.

5) GCSU has been outstanding from the free-throw line the past 13 games. Can we continue the trend of knocking down the freebies? I hope so.

I also hope to put the Augusta game in the rear-view mirror and move on. USC-Aiken is talented, guys. This is a team that competes in the eastern division with Augusta, and has handed the nationally ranked Jaguars a loss this year.

The nationally ranked Bobcats look to spring that on the Pacers today at the ‘Center.
Chat with you all from a snowy Milledgeville! 3:25e…PeachBeltTV (www.pennatlantic.com- free telecast)

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