UMHB sports are back beginning Tuesday evening as the men’s basketball team returns to action on the road. All in all, the Cru have had 21 days between games, and will return to the court this week to finish the final three games of their non-conference schedule. We caught up with head coach Clif Carroll and previewed the week ahead for the Cru in this week’s men’s basketball “Coach’s Clipboard”.
Quotes from head coach Clif Carroll:
On coming off a long break: “It’s tough. We don’t usually get this much time off. Practice was ugly yesterday, I’m just gong to be honest. We’ve got to get back to playing basketball, and focus on what is important to us. We’ve got to make sure that we take care of the little things first, then everything else should fall into place.”
On playing their second division one opponent of the season: “I think this team is so young that they believe they’re going to go beat them, which is good to some extent. Right now, I don’t even think they’re thinking about it. I’m trying to tell them, ‘We have to keep things simple, we have to play hard, and give ourselves a chance’. Sam Houston plays tough. It is going to be interesting to see us go there and play. I know this, our effort level has to improve.”
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Josiah Johnson, Sophomore- 24.7 PPG*, 3.7 APG, 8.3 RPG
G- Kyle Wright, Sophomore- 14.0 PPG, 0.7 APG, 5.3 RPG
G- Carson Hammond, Junior- 12.7 PPG, 4.3 APG*, 4.7 RPG
F- Sam Reaves, Sophomore- 0.7 PPG, 1.3 APG, 4.0 RPG
F- Aedan Welch, Senior- 13.7 PPG, 2.7 APG, 9.3 RPG*
About the opponent: Sam Houston State
Date: Dec. 27
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Huntsville, Texas
Watch: https://gobearkats.com/watch/?Live=4&type=Live
Notes:
- Sam Houston State enters the contest with a 5-5 record. The Bearkats have two wins over division one opponents, with recent victories over Rice and UTRGV.
- This contest with UMHB will be SHSU’s last before Southland Conference play begins on Saturday.
- The Cru will have to defend Bearkat guard Zach Nuthall well. The Bryan, Texas native averages 20.9 points per game.
- Though the Bearkats have a 5-5 record, they have played a tough schedule to begin the year. They have gone toe-to-toe with No. 13 Texas Tech, No. 8 Texas and LSU. (All rankings are current).
- This contest will be an exhibition for UMHB. Originally, the two were set to meet on December 12, until the game was rescheduled.
About the opponent: LeTourneau YellowJackets
Date: December 31
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Place: Longview, Texas
Watch: https://letuathletics.com/watch/?Live=362&type=Live
Notes:
- The YellowJackets have played just one game that has counted against their record this season, a 100-63 win over Howard Payne. However, they have also played division one opponents in exhibition games, losing to Texas Southern, Sam Houston State, Rice, New Mexico and Stephen F. Austin. LeTourneau also beat North American University in a exhibition 108-67.
- Andrew Eberhardt has been the leader of LeTourneau’s offense so far, scoring 31 points against Howard Payne and leading the team with 19 against New Mexico.
About the Opponent: East Texas Baptist University Tigers
Date: January 2
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Place: Marshall, Texas
Watch: https://goetbutigers.com/watch/?Live=1477&type=Live
Notes:
- ETBU is off to a quick start, with a 5-2 record in non-conference play. That includes victories over non-ASC opponents in Huntington College and Piedmont College. They also battled D1 Grambling State, falling by single digits, 68-59.
- This will be the last non-conference game for both teams before the conference slate tips off on Thursday.
- Look for Charlie Cochran to make a big impact for ETBU. The 6’7 forward uses his height to dominate in the post, and could take advantage of UMHB’s smaller lineup. He is averaging 16 points per game, and has already received two ASC Player of the Week honors this season. Chris Haynes, a 6’6 forward, is also an offensive threat for the Tigers, leading the team with 17.6 points per game. This game will likely be won or lost in the paint.
