Week 13 Men’s Basketball Preview: App State Mountaineers
The App State men’s basketball program secured their first two game win streak within conference play last week. With comfortable wins over both Louisiana and ULM, the Mountaineers now have their sights set on adding to the streak this week. First up are the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
App State at Southern Miss
Southern Miss started off conference play strong, a perfect 4-0. However, the last four games have all been on the road and all gone the other way, 0-4. Like App State, the Golden Eagles have completed their regular season games against the Louisiana schools (3-0) and their average margin of victory was 10.33 points in those games. App was 2-0 with their average margin of victory of 15 points.
App has three players averaging double figures at this point of the season, Kasen Jennings (14.6), Alonzo Dodd (12.8), and Luke Wilson (10.8). Southern Miss is averaging just two, in Tylik Weeks (17.8) and Isaac Taveras (15.8). However, that drops to just one with Taveras injury about a month ago. His return was estimated to be 6-8 weeks with a hand injury. Djahi Binet is just under the double digit threshold with 9.8 points per game but is part of a strong inside tandem with Weeks. Southern Miss does have two centers listed on the roster in Tegra Izay and Fallou Diagne, but they only average about nine and a half minutes per game each.
Defensively, both teams play quite well but neither team is hot from the field at this point. Three point accuracy will be vitally important for both teams in order to take control of this game. For the Mountaineers, look for Jalen Tot to continue his hot play and Wilson to battle on the glass. On the Golden Eagles side, watch for Weeks, Binet, and Hart to have solid games, but the bench will be the most important factor. USM will need more contribution from their bench in order to not have a game like they did against Coastal. That one ended 85-67 in favor of the Chants even with Weeks, Binet, and Hart all in double figures.
Tipoff: Thursday, Jan. 29, 8 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Southern Miss Radio Network (Southern Miss), FLAGSHIP 97.3 (North Wilkesboro) (App State)
App State at Troy
Troy seems to find success in close games. When they aren’t in close ones, the Trojans typically win rather easily. It’s no surprise to see them atop the Sun Belt after last season’s run to the NCAA tournament. The core of that team remained in tact, not a simple task in the new era of NIL and transfer portal. Head Coach Scott Cross aims for his 5th consecutive 20 win season. His Trojans are already sitting at 15 victories on the season with 10 games remaining.
Part of the success on the court comes from the consistency of his players. Five players average double figures on the year. The only other Sun Belt team with five is Arkansas State. Unlike App State, who enjoys scoring success mostly from guard play, the majority of Troy’s points are scored their forwards. Victor Valdes leads the way with an average of 16.5, followed by Thomas Dowd (15.7) and Theo Seng (13.1). Those three also have a strong presence on the glass defensively as well. The Trojans guard play is controlled by brothers Cooper Campbell and Cobi Campbell. Both have been leading scorers on the year and can easily be in the 20-30 point range.
It will take one of App’s best games of the year in order to take down the Trojans on the road. They have only lost one home game thus far this season, while App is just 4-5 on the road. Dustin Kerns and his crew will really see who ‘Takes the Stairs’, a moniker both coaches have used for years.
Tipoff: Saturday, Jan. 30, 4:30 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Troy Sports Media Network (Troy), FLAGSHIP 97.3 (North Wilkesboro) (App State)
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