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TIPPING OFF
Seemingly finding their footing the last two games, the Arkansas Tech men's basketball team will now face another tough early season test as they are set to take part in the Ed Messbarger Classic hosted by Angelo State.
Playing a pair of in-region games over the weekend, the Wonder Boys will first have a neutral site battle with Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday at 5 p.m. Just over 24 hours later, the Wonder Boys will turn around and play host school and No. 18-ranked Angelo State on Saturday at 7 p.m.
This weekend will be the Wonder Boys' final significant non-conference test of the season as they have just one more non-GAC game left on the schedule, a newly-added December 15 home tilt with Hendrix College.
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TECH TIDBITS
The Wonder Boys enter play this weekend 2-1 overall are coming off a big 20-point win over Missouri Southern in their home debut earlier this week.
So far this year, the Wonder Boys are averaging 70.0 ppg and rank 10th in the GAC. On the defensive end of the court, the Wonder Boys rank second in the league in scoring defense, giving up an average of 62.0 ppg. In terms of field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense, the Wonder Boys are 10th in the conference as they shoot at an overall clip of .443 (90-of-203) and are limiting their opponents to a .394 mark (67-of-170) to rank second.
From beyond-the-arc, the Wonder Boys are shoot at a clip of .317 (19-of-60) to rank ninth in the GAC while their opponents are making three-pointers at a mark of .311 (23-of-74) to rank sixth. From the free throw line, the Wonder Boys are shooting .550 as a team (11-of-20) to rank 12th.
Individually, the Wonder Boys have four players average double figures in scoring.
Czar Perry leads the way at 15.0 ppg.
Tony Hall is next at 12.0 ppg.
Cameron Kennedy and
Niko Gosnell are the other two in double figure scoring at 10.0 ppg each, respectively.
The Wonder Boys are coached by
Mark Downey, who is in his second season back on the sidelines at Tech after a 10-year hiatus. In his first stint, Downey patrolled the sidelines at Tech for four seasons from 2006-07 - 2009-10. In his final season, Downey guided the Wonder Boys to a program-record 30 wins and during the course of that season, the Wonder Boys were ranked No. 1 in NCAA DII for the first time ever.
In his time at Tech, which is now in its sixth season overall, Downey has amassed an 86-55 record. Overall, Downey is in his 15th season as a head coach and has career record of 252-161.
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SCOUTING THE JAVELINAS
Texas A&M-Kingsville enters Friday's non-conference clash against Arkansas Tech at 3-1 overall. The Javelinas will also be looking to extend a three-game winning streak after they dropped their season-opener to South Dakota Mines. In two of their last three games, the Javelinas have scored over 80 points.
In the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, A&M-Kingsville finished 15-3 overall and played an exclusive Lone Star regular season schedule, finishing first in the LSC South Division with a 14-2 record. A&M-Kingsville won their first conference tournament game against Angelo State, but was upset in round two by St. Edward's
Statistically this season, the Javelinas average 78.0 ppg on offense to rank 10th in the LSC and give up an average of 67.3 ppg to rank eighth in the LSC. In terms of field goal percentages, Texas A&M-Kingsville shoots at a .421 clip overall (109-of-259) to rank 16th and is allowing opponents to shoot at a mark of .450 (90-of-200) to rank 13th.
From three-point range, the Javelinas shoot at a .397 clip (50-of-126) to rank sixth in the LSC and are allowing their opponents to shoot .447 (34-of-76) from range to rank 17th. At the charity stripe, the Javelinas shoot .667 (44-of-66) to rank 12th in the LSC.
Individually, the Javelinas have two players scoring in double figures and are led by Derek Luna at 19.0 ppg. Behind Luna in scoring and rounding out double figure scoring is C.J. Smith at 16.5 ppg.
The Javelinas are coached by Johnny Estell, who is in his eighth season at Texas A&M-Kingsville. In his time as a head coach at A&M-Kingsville, Estelle has amassed a 101-90 record.
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SCOUTING THE RAMSÂ
Angelo State enters this weekend of action 4-0 overall. The Rams will have played Missouri Baptist prior to tipping off against Tech. Off to that 4-0 start, the Rams are ranked No. 18 in the latest NABC Top-25 poll and are currently out-scoring their opponents by 19.0 ppg. Additionally, the Rams have already scored 95 or more points in three of their four games.
In the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, Angelo State finished 8-10 overall and played an exclusive Lone Star regular season schedule.
Statistically this season, the Rams average 94.3 ppg on offense to rank second in the LSC and give up an average of 75.3 ppg to rank 15yh in the LSC. In terms of field goal percentages, Angelo State shoots at a .490 clip overall (124-of-253) to rank fifth and is allowing opponents to shoot at a mark of .403 (96-of-238) to rank fifth.
From three-point range, the Rams shoot at a .366 clip (34-of-93) to rank ninth in the LSC and are allowing their opponents to shoot .318 (28-of-88) from range to rank eighth. At the charity stripe, the Rams shoot .742 (95-of-128) to rank sixth in the LSC.
Individually, the Rams have six players scoring in double figures and are led by Devaughn Thomas at 17.5 ppg. Behind Thomas in scoring is Andi Vrapcani at 15.0 ppg. Two others are averaging at least 13.0 ppg with an additional two over 11.0 ppg.
The Rams are coached by Cinco Boone, who is in his seventh season at Angelo State. In his time as a head coach at Angelo State, Boone has amassed a 113-57 record and has won 20 or more games three times.
