Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Post Season

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

Southland Conference (23-9, 11-5)

Seed: #

Big Wins: 12/2 at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Jackson State (79-68), 2/27 Texas A&M CC (64-43), 3/11 Texas A&M CC (60-53)

Bad Losses: 1/16 at Nicholls State (63-70), 2/6 at Lamar (46-49), 2/20 at Southeast Louisiana (56-66)

Coach: Danny Kaspar

Why They Can Surprise:

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Stephen F. Austin after making their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009. The Lumberjacks lost four starters from that team, but Coach Danny Kaspar was ready to reload instead of taking the time to rebuild. The emergence of Jordan Glynn, a junior college transfer, has made SFA a very good rebounding team. Glynn, a 6-7 225 pound junior, averages 8.3 rebounds per game. Glynn has been inconsistent offensively, but he is a decent interior scoring threat.

Center Jereal Scott is the better scorer in the paint. While Scott is not as effective on the glass, he is a good rebounder and a decent presence on the defensive end. Orren Tims and Mark Gomillia do not play many minutes, but both are quality rebounders and they have to replace Will Reinke who went out for the season with a knee injury. What makes the Lumberjacks so dangerous on the glass is guard Eddie Williams. He is only 6-2, but Williams is a great rebounder. He is also a superb defender and the team’s best perimeter scorer.

Why They Can Disappoint:

Willliams is not a bad outside shooter, but he does not take too many shots from long range. He will do most of his scoring by attacking the basket. The same can be said for fellow starting wing Walt Harris. Harris, a 6-5 senior, is the team’s most efficient and prolific long range shooter, but with his size he will also attack the basket quite a bit. Those two are great scorers, but do not take a lot of three-point shots. The only option off the bench to do so is Denzel Barnes, but he hits less than one long ball per contest. SFA is a defensive orientated team and rarely needs to hoist up three-pointers in order to spark a comeback, but in March the outside shots better be falling or this is a group that will make another early exit.

Who To Watch:

Eric Bell is the lone returning starter. The 5-3 point guard has steadily improved since coming to Nacogdoches, Texas from the junior college ranks. His assist-to-turnover ratio has improved for his senior season and Bell is leading the group of mostly fresh faces to success. His tenacious defense and ability to find his way through the big guys make him a very effective player despite his diminutive stature. Bell will have a difficult time finishing around the basket because of his size and he rarely scores many points, but he will hit the occasional outside shot when necessary. However, Bell missed the conference tournament with a concussion and his status for the postseason is uncertain.

Probable Starters:

Eric Bell, Senior, Guard, 2.9 ppg, 3.8 apg

Walt Harris, Senior, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 1.8 apg

Eddie Williams, Junior, Guard, 13.3 ppg, 2.7 apg, 5.9 rpg

Jordan Glynn, Junior, Forward, 8.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg

Jereal Scott, Sophomore, Center, 12.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg

Key Roleplayers:

Denzel Barnes, Junior, Guard, 5.6 ppg, 2.3 apg

Mark Gomillia, Junior, Forward, 3.1 ppg, 1.0 rpg

Orren Tims, Junior, Forward, 5.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg

By the Numbers:

Scoring Offense: 66.9 (220^th in nation, 10^th in conference)

Scoring Defense: 60.1 (15, 1)

Field-Goal Percentage: 45.8 (63, 3)

Field-Goal Defense: 42.7 (151, 4)

Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.1 (326, 10)

Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: na

Free-Throw Percentage: 70.8 (110, 2)

Rebound Margin: 4.5 (47, 4)

Assists Per Game: 13.6 (133, 5)

Turnovers Per Game: 13.0 (102, 2)

Joel’s Bracket Says: