After losing its first two games of the season at home, the SMU men’s basketball team looks to rebound against the Centenary Gents (2-1).
SMU is undefeated against Centenary in its last seven matchups and wants to give the home crowd a win.
Forward Alex Malone is averaging over 14 points per game while adding five rebounds per game. Papa Dia has played big in his first two games averaging almost 10 points and eight rebounds per game.
These two freshmen have started the first two games alongside Bamba Fall, Jon Killen, and Derrick Roberts.
Killen and Roberts are the captains this year, and the responsibility will mainly fall on the two guards and their leadership to help put the Mustangs in the win column.
In the second half of their last game against Alabama State, the Mustangs worked the ball through the low post players. Fall and Dia were the two who mainly played down low. When the offense ran through them, Alabama State was forced to double and therefore opened up the court for the Mustangs’ shooters.
The tradeoff by playing a low post game is a high number of turnovers from the post players. Dia and Fall combined last game for a total of 10 turnovers.
Playing tough, physical basketball, while mixing in some outside shots, won the Mustangs the second half, 35-32. The team came up short of a victory because SMU came out a little flat in the first half of its second game of the tournament. It was the team’s second game in less than 24 hours.
The Mustangs have made it tough for opponents to score inside. Fall is averaging three blocks per game and Dia is averaging 2.5 per game.
Most of the Gents’ scoring comes from their two guards who are six-feet tall. Juniors Tyrone Hamilton and Nick Stallings have accounted for over 50 percent of the Gents’ offense this year. They can shoot from behind the arc but also get to the free-throw line.
With the constant penetration from the guards, the Mustangs’ big men will need to help out Killen, Roberts, Mike Walker and Ryan Harp when these speedy guards drive to the lane. If the Mustangs are not careful, this style of basketball could land some key players in foul trouble early. On average, the Gents get to the line 22 times per game.
This will undoubtedly be a game of the Gents’ quickness against the Mustangs’ size. If SMU can keep up with the Gents on the defensive end of the floor, they have a good chance at delivering their first win of the season in front of the home crowd.
The Mustangs have an all-time record of 11-2 against the Gents and will be looking for their 12th win. The game takes place Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Moody Coliseum.
