SU men better than most expected
They weren’t supposed to do so well, so soon.
Looking back on it now, even Roman Banks concedes that much.
The first-year Southern men’s basketball coach said he hoped that with hard work and an uptempo style of play, the Jaguars would at least be competitive this season.
Eight games into the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule, they’ve been plenty more than competitive. They’ve been a handful. They’ve been flat-out good.
At 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the F.G. Clark Activity Center, Southern (10-11, 6-2) hosts Alcorn State (4-15, 2-6) to close out the first half of conference play, as well as a three-game homestand.
With a win, the Jaguars can make it three in a row.
“As sure as you win basketball games, it’s just that easy to lose them. ... They tend to take it easy, and you’re satisfied with where you are,” Banks said. “So we definitely don’t want that satisfied feeling.”
What’s more, in a season already filled with great moments, SU will offer one more.
The team will honor the late Bobby Phills, who played at Southern from 1987-91 and had a nine-year career in the NBA.
Phills died in a car crash on Jan. 12, 2000. A banner had hung in the F.G. Clark Activity Center since then, though Southern replaced it earlier this month with a more modern banner.
“I think it’s important not to let his legacy die,” Banks said. “Bobby did a lot — not only for this basketball program, but for this community and for this city.
“We’re about rebuilding our program — and in rebuilding your program, you’ve got to remember your traditions. He is definitely a memory that we don’t want to lose.”
Phills’ widow, Kendall, plans to be at the game Saturday, Banks said.
As for this season, as SU barrels toward its final 10 regular-season games, here’s a look at some highlights, lowlights and things to watch for down the stretch:
MOST IMPORTANT WIN: How about Monday’s sparkling effort against Alabama State?
Let’s put it this way: The Jaguars were only two days removed from a taxing overtime win against Alabama A&M. They had virtually no recent success against the Hornets, who had defeated them 10 of the past 11 times. And to that point, Southern had often followed a big win with a disappointing loss.
Monday night, however, they looked like a legitimate contender for first place. They led by as many as 20 points in the second half. Quite a night.
MOST HEARTBREAKING LOSS: This sounds silly at first, but it’s probably a 59-53 defeat at Providence on Nov. 22.
It’s the most heartbreaking loss because SWAC schools rarely have a realistic chance at beating a team from the Big East. The Jaguars had their chance, but they ran out of steam.
BEST MOMENT: It’s not often a three-time NBA All-Star comes to your building. It’s not often the All-Star returns home and cries as his alma mater retires his uniform number.
That’s exactly what happened at halftime of the Jaguars’ Jan. 7 game against Grambling, when Bob Love spoke to Southern fans, alumni students and old teammates before SU unveiled a banner in his honor.
It was a great moment, and long overdue.
WORST MOMENT: Players were thrilled beyond words after defeating Prairie View in their conference opener Jan. 3. The joy lasted two days. Texas Southern unloaded on the Jaguars on Jan. 5, winning in a 73-39 blowout that was every bit as lopsided as the final score.
TSU was simply better. But Banks said he was upset by the players’ effort that night.
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: Game by game, the name changes. One afternoon, Derick Beltran went for 21 points and drained a game-winning 3-pointer as SU rallied to beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff on the road.
On another, Quinton Doggett led the team in points and rebounds as the Jaguars outlasted Alabama A&M in overtime. Point guard Jameel Grace averages 33.1 minutes per game.
For now, let’s call it a tie between Grace, the only proven point guard, and Doggett, the team’s best big man and only consistent rebounder.
MOST IMPORTANT GAME AHEAD: Saturday’s game is a biggie, sure. Banks doesn’t want his players to be satisfied after winning back-to-back home games.
But the most daunting task may come in the next game, at Grambling. No Southern men’s team has won there since 2000. It’s been an 11-year losing streak.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Even with a short roster, the Jaguars find the energy to remain competitive and finish in the top half of the SWAC standings. They probably can’t catch Mississippi Valley State or Texas Southern. But considering where they started, finishing fifth or better would be quite an achievement.