Basketball Times
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bluedog
"Leader of Kings"
Spivery, Jaguars set bigger goals
In a season that’s been all about redefining a program that’s languished, one more “first time since” remains. Southern, the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season champions for the first time since the 1989-90 season and with the first winning season since 1999-2000, will play this week for its first conference tournament title — and NCAA tournament berth — since 1993. Top-seeded SU (16-12) plays eighth-seeded Alcorn State (8-19) in the SWAC tournament quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m. Thursday
In a season that’s been all about redefining a program that’s languished, one more “first time since” remains. Southern, the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season champions for the first time since the 1989-90 season and with the first winning season since 1999-2000, will play this week for its first conference tournament title — and NCAA tournament berth — since 1993. Top-seeded SU (16-12) plays eighth-seeded Alcorn State (8-19) in the SWAC tournament quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m. Thursday
bluedog
"Leader of Kings"
Worth the wait
Riley-Smith’s improved play helps SU to success
His dad, Dennis Smith, knew best.
He wanted to think he knew better. But Dad knew.
Southern junior guard DeForrest Riley-Smith had last played a collegiate game in the fall semester in 2003 at Penn State, where he had been a two-year starter.
Dad said getting back in the groove would take some time.
“I thought it would be like riding a bike. I’d hop right back on,” Riley-Smith said.
Even though Riley-Smith practiced all last season with Southern after transferring from Xavier (of Ohio), where he spent the spring of 2004, getting used to his new team, his new role, and getting used to playing game after game took a few months.
Dad was right.
Riley-Smith’s improved play helps SU to success
His dad, Dennis Smith, knew best.
He wanted to think he knew better. But Dad knew.
Southern junior guard DeForrest Riley-Smith had last played a collegiate game in the fall semester in 2003 at Penn State, where he had been a two-year starter.
Dad said getting back in the groove would take some time.
“I thought it would be like riding a bike. I’d hop right back on,” Riley-Smith said.
Even though Riley-Smith practiced all last season with Southern after transferring from Xavier (of Ohio), where he spent the spring of 2004, getting used to his new team, his new role, and getting used to playing game after game took a few months.
Dad was right.
bluedog
"Leader of Kings"
SU's Lewis regains confidence
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sports writer
Published: Mar 8, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Southern coach Sandy Pugh once said she believed in sophomore center Fredrieka Lewis so much that she didn’t mind if Lewis missed 20 in a row, that Lewis would come back and make 20 straight.
She said SU had to ride that wave. And the Jaguars (17-10), the No. 2 seed, are doing just that as they face No. 7 seed Grambling (11-14) in a Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal game at 5 p.m. today in the BJCC Arena.
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sports writer
Published: Mar 8, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Southern coach Sandy Pugh once said she believed in sophomore center Fredrieka Lewis so much that she didn’t mind if Lewis missed 20 in a row, that Lewis would come back and make 20 straight.
She said SU had to ride that wave. And the Jaguars (17-10), the No. 2 seed, are doing just that as they face No. 7 seed Grambling (11-14) in a Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal game at 5 p.m. today in the BJCC Arena.
bluedog
"Leader of Kings"
SU men gets short and sweet workout
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate Sports Writer
Published: Mar 8, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Twenty-five minutes isn’t time to do much for a basketball team.
But all 16 Southwestern Athletic Conference teams — eight men, eight women, — were allotted that much time to get a feel for the conference’s tournament venue, the BJCC Arena. There was, of course, no way to allow each team an hour, so teams scheduled more extensive workouts elsewhere.
“It’s good to get in here and get a feel for the environment, the surroundings, so we’re not surprised by anything,” SU men’s coach Rob Spivery said. “Although it’s only 25 minutes. I don’t know how much that’s going to help us.”
The Southern women’s team took the floor at 4 p.m. after initially considering skipping the brief time.
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate Sports Writer
Published: Mar 8, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Twenty-five minutes isn’t time to do much for a basketball team.
But all 16 Southwestern Athletic Conference teams — eight men, eight women, — were allotted that much time to get a feel for the conference’s tournament venue, the BJCC Arena. There was, of course, no way to allow each team an hour, so teams scheduled more extensive workouts elsewhere.
“It’s good to get in here and get a feel for the environment, the surroundings, so we’re not surprised by anything,” SU men’s coach Rob Spivery said. “Although it’s only 25 minutes. I don’t know how much that’s going to help us.”
The Southern women’s team took the floor at 4 p.m. after initially considering skipping the brief time.
bluedog
"Leader of Kings"
SU reaches SWAC title game
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The top-seeded Southern men are one win away from a championship sweep. The regular-season champs led from beginning to end, but had to hang on for a hard-fought, 66=59 victory over Jackson State on Friday night in the SWAC tournament semifinals. SU will play Arkansas-Pine Bluff for the tournament title and an automatic NCAA berth at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Jaguars have not made it to the NCAA tourney since 1993.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The top-seeded Southern men are one win away from a championship sweep. The regular-season champs led from beginning to end, but had to hang on for a hard-fought, 66=59 victory over Jackson State on Friday night in the SWAC tournament semifinals. SU will play Arkansas-Pine Bluff for the tournament title and an automatic NCAA berth at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Jaguars have not made it to the NCAA tourney since 1993.