2008 Woodie Awards
Maverick men could solidify top spot in NCC with win over Coyotes
by Chris Jagerson
Issue date: 2/14/08
Section: Mens Sports
In its last 10 games, the Minnesota State men's basketball team has just one mishap.
The lone blemish in that span and in the conference season so far came Feb. 2 to South Dakota.
The Mavericks' time to redeem themselves comes tonight against the Coyotes.
"Last time we played them, we didn't play like the team we're capable of being," junior Jake Morrow said. "We need to try and be more efficient with our cuts and passes, get Atila (Santos) going inside and hopefully that will open things up for our guards outside."
Cold shooting eventually led to MSU's downfall in an 80-61 loss less than two weeks ago in Vermillion. In that game, the Mavericks shot the worst all season - just 32.9 percent from the floor and 13.6 percent from 3-point range.
"I took really bad shots and forced a lot of things," Morrow said. "We need to be more efficient, get in the middle of the lane and make their defense work. If we can make them move and get them tired, we can get out and run."
The Coyotes have 6-foot-11 center Steve Smith in the middle of their primarily 2-3 zone defense and 6'8" forward Tyler Cain and 6'6" forward Eric Hall on the bottom out on the perimeter.
"We struggled finding spots to score against their zone," point guard Jesse Clark said. "They're so long they make you settle into shooting 3s."
MSU (18-5, 7-1 in NCC) holds a two-game lead over USD (19-2, 4-2) in the conference standings. If the Coyotes win Thursday and then both teams win out the rest of the season, the tiebreaker would go to USD.
"We just need to stick to what we do because we got away from our identity against them last time," Clark said. "We usually don't turn the ball over like that and settle for the shots we took."
South Dakota fell to No. 10 in the most recent NABC poll after dropping a 75-60 decision to Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday. The Mavericks are unranked, but picked up 10 votes in the most recent poll, putting them one vote shy of 25th-ranked Fort Lewis, a team MSU defeated earlier this season.
MSU is fourth in the North Central Region poll released Wednesday, while USD is third.
The Mavericks are riding the hot hand of center Atila Santos, who averages 20.8 points and 15.4 rebounds in his past five games. He is averaging a team-high 15.7 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. Morrow is at 15.3 ppg and Jadee Jones also averages double-digits with 13.6 ppg.
The Coyotes are led by Dylan Grimsley, who averages 15.3 ppg.
The Mavericks are just 4-12 against USD under coach Matt Margenthaler, but all four victories have come at home.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight at the Taylor Center. The Mavericks then host Nebraska-Omaha in the third-to-last regular season game for MSU at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Chris Jagerson is a Reporter staff writer
The lone blemish in that span and in the conference season so far came Feb. 2 to South Dakota.
The Mavericks' time to redeem themselves comes tonight against the Coyotes.
"Last time we played them, we didn't play like the team we're capable of being," junior Jake Morrow said. "We need to try and be more efficient with our cuts and passes, get Atila (Santos) going inside and hopefully that will open things up for our guards outside."
Cold shooting eventually led to MSU's downfall in an 80-61 loss less than two weeks ago in Vermillion. In that game, the Mavericks shot the worst all season - just 32.9 percent from the floor and 13.6 percent from 3-point range.
"I took really bad shots and forced a lot of things," Morrow said. "We need to be more efficient, get in the middle of the lane and make their defense work. If we can make them move and get them tired, we can get out and run."
The Coyotes have 6-foot-11 center Steve Smith in the middle of their primarily 2-3 zone defense and 6'8" forward Tyler Cain and 6'6" forward Eric Hall on the bottom out on the perimeter.
"We struggled finding spots to score against their zone," point guard Jesse Clark said. "They're so long they make you settle into shooting 3s."
MSU (18-5, 7-1 in NCC) holds a two-game lead over USD (19-2, 4-2) in the conference standings. If the Coyotes win Thursday and then both teams win out the rest of the season, the tiebreaker would go to USD.
"We just need to stick to what we do because we got away from our identity against them last time," Clark said. "We usually don't turn the ball over like that and settle for the shots we took."
South Dakota fell to No. 10 in the most recent NABC poll after dropping a 75-60 decision to Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday. The Mavericks are unranked, but picked up 10 votes in the most recent poll, putting them one vote shy of 25th-ranked Fort Lewis, a team MSU defeated earlier this season.
MSU is fourth in the North Central Region poll released Wednesday, while USD is third.
The Mavericks are riding the hot hand of center Atila Santos, who averages 20.8 points and 15.4 rebounds in his past five games. He is averaging a team-high 15.7 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. Morrow is at 15.3 ppg and Jadee Jones also averages double-digits with 13.6 ppg.
The Coyotes are led by Dylan Grimsley, who averages 15.3 ppg.
The Mavericks are just 4-12 against USD under coach Matt Margenthaler, but all four victories have come at home.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight at the Taylor Center. The Mavericks then host Nebraska-Omaha in the third-to-last regular season game for MSU at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Chris Jagerson is a Reporter staff writer
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