ASU can't battle back from slow start in NCAA tournament game

DAYTON, Ohio -- Ala­bama State was hoping to make history on Wednes­day night.

Those dreams fell apart quickly against Texas-San Antonio. The Roadrunners roared out to a 27-point halftime lead to earn the team's first NCAA Tour­nament victory, hanging on for a 70-61 win over the Hornets in the "First Four" at the University of Dayton Arena.

Texas-San Antonio (20-13) will face the tour­nament's No. 1 overall seed, Ohio State, on Fri­day in Cleveland.

Texas San Antonio wins 'First Four' game

DAYTON, Ohio — Shot by shot, Melvin Johnson III played up to his penmanship. The smooth guard with "SWISH" scrawled on the side of each orange shoe scored a career-high 29 points Wednesday night, putting on the most scintillating show so far in the NCAA tournament while leading Texas San Antonio to a 70-61 victory over Alabama State in the "First Four" round.

The Roadrunners (20-13) and their smooth guard head to Cleveland for a game Friday against top-seeded Ohio State, which won't allow all those open shots.  Against Alabama State (17-18), Johnson took advantage of...

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Texas-San Antonio to open NCAA Tournament play against Alabama State on Wednesday night

INDIANAPOLIS — The UTSA men's basketball team learned its NCAA Tournament destination and opponent on Sunday evening and the Southland Conference Tournament Champion Roadrunners will square off against Alabama State, which won this weekend's Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament. The two squads will play at 5:40 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday at UD Arena as part of the newly-created "First Four" games on the campus of the University of Dayton.

UTSA, winners of five consecutive outings in the last 11 days, will bring a 19-13 overall record into its fourth "Big Dance" appearance in program history and first since 2004 (1988, '99 are the others). The No. 7 seed Roadrunners earned the Southland's automatic bid following their 75-72 championship game victory against top-seeded McNeese State on Saturday afternoon. Senior guard Devin Gibson was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player and he was joined on the All-Tournament Team by freshman Jeromie Hill.

NCAA MEN'S BRACKET

Hornets To Face Texas-San Antonio In NCAA Tournament

The Alabama State men's basketball team will face Texas-San Antonio in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. central time in Dayton, Ohio. The two teams will be a part of the newly created “First Four” games on the campus of the University of Dayton.

The Hornets emerged from the fourth seed in the Farmers Insurance SWAC Tournament to win the title and the league's automatic berth for the fourth time in school history and second time in three seasons.

“We're excited to have an opportunity to be in the NCAA Tournament again,” Hornets' head coach Lewis Jackson said. “It's great for our players, Alabama State University, the community of Montgomery and people around the city and the state. Guys will have the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Tournament again and that's big. That's as high as it gets, and we're excited about being in it.”

Alabama State (17-17) enters the NCAA's as one of the nation's hottest teams, being victorious 11 of their last 12 games. That lone loss, a 74-73 decision at Grambling on March 5, was avenged in the tournament championship game Saturday night with a 65-48 win over the Tigers.

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What Can the MEAC and SWAC Learn from the Southland Conference?

Coppin State University Coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell has been accused of over-scheduling the Eagles with powerhouse money games. However, the Eagles do have their share of lower Division cup-cake games this season...Lincoln (Pa.), West Virginia Tech and Washington Adventist University.

Raising the level of its competition

To improve seeding in NCAA Tournament, Southland wants teams to cut down on number of lower division foes.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Southland Conference is building its regional television network, and commissioner Tom Burnett is working with ESPN to expand the league’s reach. But there still are obstacles impeding the Southland’s quest for an enhanced national profile. They are seemingly small stumbling blocks, but part of a big issue. Try Harris-Stowe, Paul Quinn or Ecclesia. Maybe the University of Science and Arts or Mid-America Christian. Perhaps a name off Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s schedule — Oklahoma Panhandle State.

Those schools are a sampling of the non-Division I opponents that line Southland men’s schedules this season. They are part of the reason the league is stuck in a rut of being seeded 14 or higher in the NCAA Tournament. Non-Division I schools do not count toward a Division I team’s win total when analyzed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. The games are a lost opportunity to improve the RPI, the NCAA’s rating of a team’s or league’s strength of schedule, its opponents’ strength of schedule and how it fared against opponents. Division I teams can face up to four non-Division I schools a season, but it’s best not to use the full allotment, if any. Yet the 12 Southland men’s teams combine to face 44 non-Division I opponents this season. That does it no favors with the selection committee, which factors the RPI into its seeding process.

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The MEAC and SWAC should take note of the strategy of the Southland Conference. A 16th seed in the NCAA Tournament is always a guaranteed ticket for a quick exit home.

MEAC Men Basketball Scheduled Cup-Cakes...

1. Delaware State: Holy Family, Wilmington and Mary Washington
2. Coppin State: Lincoln (Pa.), West Virginia Tech and Washington Adventist University
3. South Carolina State: Erskine College, Allen, Southern Wesleyan
4. Florida A&M: Albany State (Ga.)
5. North Carolina A&T: Brevard College, Davis & Elkins and Carson Newman
6. Bethune Cookman: Edward Waters, Florida Gulf Coast, Carver Bible, Florida Christian College and Jacksonville
7. Winston Salem State: Atlanta Christian, Milligan, Ferrum College and Columbia Union
8. Morgan State: None
9. UMES: Stevenson
10. Howard: None
11: Hampton: None
12: Norfolk State: None

SWAC Men Basketball Scheduled Cup-Cakes...
1. Alabama A&M: Oakwood, Martin Methodist, Stillman and Tuskegee
2. Alabama State: Columbus State and West Alabama
3. Alcorn State: Tougaloo College, Mississippi College and University of Detroit-Mercy
4. Grambling State: Centenary College (Louisiana), Paul Quinn College (Texas)
5. Jackson State: Spring Hill
6. Mississippi Valley: Champion Baptist
7. Prairie View A&M: Schreiner, Florida Gulf Coast, Champion Baptist, Ecclesia, Dallas Christian
8. Southern: Xavier (La.), Talladega, Central Arkansas and Chicago State
9. Texas Southern: Northern Colorado, Dickinson State, Jarvis Christan University
10. Arkansas Pine Bluff: None

Other Division I HBCUs
1. Tennessee State (OVC): Detroit-Mercy
2. North Carolina Central (Indep/MEAC): North Carolina Wesleyan, Carver Bible College, Florida Gulf Coast, Tennessee Temple University and The Apprentice School
3. Savannah State (Indep): Webber International, University of North Florida, University of Virginia-Wise, Allen University, Carver Bible College and Jacksonville University.

Texas State Bobcats 52, Texas Southern Tigers 18

Texas Southern Coach Johnnie Cole Tigers get overwhelmed by Southland Conference power Texas State.

George shatters Bobcats' passing mark

SAN MARCOS — Texas Southern's four laterals that resulted in a 90-yard touchdown return off of a blocked field goal might be a candidate for the football highlight of the week. However, the effort ended up playing second fiddle to Texas State quarterback Bradley George's record-breaking performance in the Bobcats' 52-18 victory Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. The senior from New Braunfels Canyon became Texas State's career passing leader by throwing for 325 yards and two touchdowns to increase his total to 7,287 yards and eclipse Barrick Nealy's mark of 7,206 yards set between 2003-05.

George also threw three interceptions for the first time since his freshman year, but he was still sharp enough to keep the Bobcats (2-1) in control. His favorite receiver was Da'Marcus Griggs, who came within one reception of tying the single-game record after finishing with 11 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. “I think the three picks are what stand out in my mind,” George said. “But we won and that means something. To be mentioned in the same breath as Barrick Nealy is still an honor. But records aren't what you shoot for in sports. I have a couple (Southland Conference) rings, and I would like to get a third.”

Texas State routs Tigers 52-18

SAN MARCOS — Statistics don’t always tell the story, especially on the football field. Texas State’s defense made a huge impact in forcing four fumbles and an interception that led to 28 points in the Bobcats’ 52-18 win Saturday at home over Texas Southern. But Texas State coach Brad Wright points to one play that will stick in his mind — one of the only defensive faux pas all game. “It was one of those games where so much happened, I don’t even know what we did right and what we did wrong,” said coach Brad Wright, “The only play that comes to mind is that blocked field goal right before half time. The guys in the locker room (at half time) looked like they just had a trophy stolen from them.”

The play in question was a bit of razzle dazzle by the Tigers as time expired in the first half.Texas Southern’s John Cole blocked a Justi Garelick field goal attempt with three seconds left on the clock. Tigers’ Harry Brown recovered the ball and four Texas Southern players would touch the ball — on a series of laterals — before DeMa Washington scampered 24 yards for the touchdown and cut the Bobcat lead to 24-12. “I’m sure I’ll catch that play on (ESPN) Sports Center,” Texas State quarterback Bradley George said. “I’d like to see it again though; it looked like he was down to me.”

Complete Game Statistics in PDF Format

Attendance: 12,048 at Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX

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Texas Southern Tigers at Texas State Bobcats

Texas State wary of Texas Southern

On paper, Texas State, ranked 23rd in FCS, seems to have a clear advantage over Texas Southern, winless in eight games against the Bobcats. The Tigers lost their first two games this season against Southwestern Athletic Conference rivals by a combined 75-7 tally before beating Texas College, an NAIA school, 75-6. The injury bug – which has bitten the Bobcats' offensive playmakers hard – could even things out a bit for the Tigers. The Bobcats will miss running back Karrington Bush (knee), who has been out after missing all but the first quarter of the opener. Also out is speedy slot receiver Cedric Alexander (pulled quadricep), while starting receiver Mishak Rivas has been nursing a foot injury. However, Wright said he expects Rivas and linebacker Joe Bell, who also hasn't played a down this season, to return tonight Wright said Texas Southern is a team to be reckoned with.

"They're scary," Wright said. "They're extremely athletic. Coach (Johnnie) Cole has done a great job in all three phases of the game. More than anything, they're a throwing team." Wright said the offense, run by the quarterback tandem of Arvell Nelson and Gino Simoni, runs out of a spread formation, similar to the Bobcats', and will throw the ball 40-50 times, at least. Defensively, the linemen and linebackers are the strength, Wright said, using a variety of line twists and blitzes to stay unpredictable.

TSU second year Coach Johnnie Cole.

College Football: Bobcat Record Breaker

San Marcos — Bradley George was ready to sign with Louisiana Tech. He already planned to sleep on a graduate assistant’s couch while trying to find a place of his own. George had signed up for classes and prepared to begin classes in early January. Then he got a phone call from former Texas State head coach David Bailiff. “I was packed up and ready to go,” George said. “Bailiff called me and said ‘Hey, I hear you’re coming back to football. Why don’t you give me a call?’ I didn’t want to, because I had a Division I mindset and wanted to try that.” Something beyond George’s control pulled him to the Bobcats.

Maybe it was because his parents are alums. Or, it could have been that his hometown is 15 minutes down I-35 in New Braunfels. His brother Reagan (a former quarterback with the Bobcats) might have talked to him or heck, maybe he’d miss his grandmother’s homemade cookies Whatever the reason, George signed with Texas State and was ready to begin his collegiate career – at 22-years old. George spent five years after high school in the Cincinnati Reds’ minor league system. He felt his best chance at stardom was on the diamond, but his arm wouldn’t allow it.

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Fourth-quarter letdown dooms Grambling at Northwestern State

GSU Coach Rod Broadway

NATCHITOCHES, LA — The final score will say that 12 points separated Grambling State and Northwestern State on Sunday. But all that really separated them was one yard. Trailing 17-13 early in the fourth quarter, the visiting Tigers faced third-and-goal from the NSU 1-yard line. After two questionable playcalls failed to put the ball in the end zone, Grambling was turned away without a score.

Grambling can forget the three touchdowns that followed — NSU took the ball and marched down the field on a game-clinching 99-yard touchdown drive, and the teams traded scores to make the final score 31-19. The game was decided at the goal line with 12:36 left on the clock. "That's pitiful," Broadway said. "That's bad football. ... When you get the ball to the 1-yard line and can't score you don't deserve to win. You don't deserve to win."

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Attendance: 8,752 (55%) at Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches, LA (Capacity: 15,971).

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Bearkats look forward to facing fellow undefeated opponent, PVAMU

Update: (9/12/08) Ike Wins! Prairie View A&M-Sam Houston State football game was canceled!

Sam Houston-Prairie View Game Notes (.pdf)

Sam Houston State Bearkats (1-0) vs. Prairie View A&M Panthers (2-0)
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 -- 6 p.m.
Bowers Stadium -- Huntsville, TX
Radio KSAM 101.7 FM
Internet Radio: http://www.gobearkats.com/

The Sam Houston State Bearkats look to make it to 2-0 on the season when they take on Prairie View A&M on Parent's Weekend this Saturday. The Panthers come in to town after a 53-0 victory over Texas College, while the Bearkats look to get back to where they left off with their strong victory over East Central Oklahoma, 58-14.

Prairie View A&M is 2-0 with its first winning season since 1976 coming last year when the Panthers went 7-3. The Panthers hold the all time record for most consecutives losses at 80, lasting from 1989-98. This is almost double the previous record held by Columbia University, who accumulated 44 straight losses.

The Bearkats look to have another explosive offensive performance out of Rhett Bomar, who passed for 198 yards and had four touchdowns, as well as 30 yards rushing. The offense scored on every possession of the first half, including two touchdown catches by Catron Houston, and another by Jason Madkins. James Aston also rushed for 115 yards on eight carries and two scores.

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Expect Hurricane Ike to win this battle...

SU, McNeese football to meet in 2010

Southern’s return date to play a football game at McNeese State is finally in sight, though still a few years away. The Jaguars and the Cowboys are now scheduled to play Sept. 18, 2010, in Lake Charles.

Southern and McNeese State were to have played Sept. 3, 2005, in Lake Charles, but that game was called off in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which hit south Louisiana and the Gulf Coast earlier that week.

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