Texas Southern Tigers
SWAC (19-14, 12-6)
Texas Southern is making their fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament. The last time the Tigers were dancing was back in 2003, where they lost in the opening round to UNC-Asheville. As usual, Coach Mike Davis’ squad struggled early against a tough non-conference schedule. They did win at Temple, which was not a great win this year, but still a very tough place to play. The Tigers got off to a slow start in SWAC play too, but finished winning nine in a row heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/9 Norfolk State (95-83), 12/19 at Temple (90-89), 1/27 Arkansas Pine Bluff (72-71)
Bad Losses: 1/20 at Jackson State (80-84), 2/8 at Prairie View A&M (77-85), 2/17 Jackson State (73-75)
Coach: Mike Davis (2 seasons at Texas Southern)
Why They Can Surprise:
Texas Southern works through senior Aaric Murray. The 6-10 center has had some big games at big times. He dropped 28 on Stanford, 30 on Tulsa and 48 against Temple. On the year he averages an amazing 21.2 points per game. He has made a huge impact in the SWAC after transferring in from West Virginia. Murray also played at La Salle. While Murray does a lot on offense, he is also a game changer on the other end of the floor, averaging 7.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. D’Angelo Scott and Jose Rodriguez help Murray out on the glass and, even against major conference teams, the Tigers can at least put up a fight in the rebounding department. Rodriguez is also a decent interior scorer who, like Murray, can step outside and knock down the long ball on occasion.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Turnovers have been the Tigers biggest problem. This team does like to get up and down the floor since Murray is athletic enough to get involved in the offense even if he is not established in the post. However, the turnover numbers are still too high. Point guard Madarious Gibbs commits nearly three per game on his own. This group also does not create many turnovers. Generally that works for Texas Southern since they do not need to take defensive risks with Murray patrolling the paint, but at some point getting easy buckets the other way would be beneficial.
Probable Starters:
Madarious Bibbs, Junior, Guard, 9.2 ppg, 2.9 apg
Lawrence Johnson-Danner, Senior, Guard, 7.3 ppg, 1.1 apg
D.D. Scarver, Senior, Guard, 13.3 ppg, 1.5 apg
D’Angelo Scott, Senior, Forward, 7.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Aaric Murray, Senior, Center, 21.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.6 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Jose Rodriquez, Junior, Forward, 11.3 ppg, 1.7 apg
Aaron Clayborn, Senior, Forward, 4.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Ray Penn, Senior, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 2.8 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.2 (56th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 74.8 (289, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.0 (84, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 45.4 (262, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.5 (137, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.2 (93, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.4 (122, 2)
Rebound Margin: 3.0 (90, 2)
Assists Per Game: 14.2 (71, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (252, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2011 NIT First Round loss to Colorado
2003 NCAA Opening Round loss to UNC-Asheville
1995 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Arkansas
1994 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Duke
1990 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Georgetown
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
