M: vs Southern Utah & Northern Arizona

[SDHornet]

M: vs Southern Utah
The Hornets (11-16, 4-12 BSC) hosts Southern Utah (5-21, 3-13 BSC) in the final weekend of regular season play. This final home stand will determine who the worst team in the BSC truly is.

The Thunderbirds are led by guards James McGee (12.2 ppg), Trey Kennedy (11.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg), and Travon Langston (11.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.8 apg). The T-Bird offense is marginally worse than the Hornets, but their defense is worst in the BSC.

Comparison: Hornets - Thunderbirds
Points/Game: 72.0 – 69.7
Rebounds/Game: 35.9 – 30.0
Assists/Game: 14.3 – 11.5
Turnovers/Game: 11.7 – 13.0
Points Allowed/Game: 73.3 – 82.5

A loss in either of these 2 games will add embarrassment to an already disappointing season. The Hornets need to take care of business in The Nest and find some swagger in these last two games before heading up the hill to Reno for the BSCT.

 

[SDHornet]

Hornets squeak out a 69-63 win over SUU in OT. I didn't get to see it, but looking at the box score it seems that turnovers are what kept this game closer than it should have been. Pretty decent shooting night for the Hornets.

Recap says the Hornets have the 10th seed locked up and it can't change regardless of what happens Saturday night. We'll face either MSU or PSU at the 7th seed.

 

[SDHornet]

M: vs Northern Arizona

The Hornets (12-16, 5-12 BSC) hosts Northern Arizona (5-23, 3-14 BSC) to close out the regular season slate. The Hornets are locked into the 10th seed for the BSCT, while NAU can grab the 11th seed if they win tonight coupled with an SUU loss. This will be the final game for seniors Cody Demps and Dreon Barlett in the Nest.

The Lumberjacks are led by guards Kris Yanku (15.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.7 apg), Jaleni Neely (10.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.1 apg), and forward Ako Kaluna (12.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.1 apg). Similar to the SUU game, the Lumberjacks offense is marginally worse than the Hornets, but their defense is 2nd to worst in the BSC.

Comparison: Hornets - Lumberjacks
Points/Game: 71.9 – 69.7
Rebounds/Game: 36.0 – 33.3
Assists/Game: 14.2 – 10.5
Turnovers/Game: 12.0 – 12.8
Points Allowed/Game: 72.9 – 82.1

It’s been a disappointing season for both of these programs as they limp into the BSCT. The Hornets have a tiny bit of momentum having squeaked out an OT win on Thursday. I thought the Hornets were going to secure a comfortable win against SUU, and was anticipating that again tonight. However, I think this game will be close with another Hornets escape.

 

[SDHornet]

Hornets get a solid 64-51 win. A dominating 2nd half propelled the Hornets to victory tonight in the Nest. Not a bad turnout considering the awful weather blowing through town. Solid production on offense from pretty much everyone, and a damn good defensive effort on the other end. This is exactly the kind of win this team needed heading into the BSCT next week.

 

[josephpoint]

Congrats to the Hornets for the end of the Big Sky weekend sweep at Hornet Gym and best of luck in the Big Sky tourney coming up.