MBB: American Southwest Conference

[Riley Zayas]

Not a good start by any means, for UMHB, but the Cru won it late, defeating Pacific Lutheran at the D3hoops.com Classic early this morning. Josiah Johnson hit a late three to make it 54-53, and PLU had a chance on the other end, but missed the short-range shot. Ty Prince added two FTs, and PLU attempted a long three at the buzzer but it was off the back iron. PLU was playing shorthanded as well. I expect the Lutes to be contending for that NWC title come February. Cru is now 8-1.

Full game story: https://truetothecru.com/2021/12/30/umhb-mens-basketball-defeats-pacific-lutheran-56-53-in-final-minute/

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

PacLu was without Seth Hall, their best player, as well.

[Riley Zayas]

PacLu was without Seth Hall, their best player, as well.

Exactly. Worth noting is that MHB was without two of their main rotational players, Nathan Stolz, and Fred Shields. Both had played solid minutes for them entering the week. Not sure why those two were not available.

[Riley Zayas]

Things seemed to come together for UMHB last night in an 84-64 win over Saint Mary's in the final game of the D3hoops Classic. The Cru shot 46% from 3pt range, the first time since Nov. 27 that they shot better than 33 percent in a game. Josiah Johnson had 25 pts. Saint Mary's did some good things offensively, including a 13-2 run before the half, but struggled to maintain a defensive presence.

Full game story: https://truetothecru.com/2021/12/31/umhb-mens-hoops-concludes-d3hoops-com-classic-with-84-64-win-over-saint-marys/

[Riley Zayas]

I know Concordia is not playing as well as we expected them to at this point, but this matchup between UMHB and CTX is always incredible and high-scoring. I'd highly recommend D3 nation tuning into tonight's contest in Belton. 7:30 p.m. CT tip. The matchup between CTX's Antoine Henderson and UMHB's Ty Prince will be excellent, and with it looking like UMHB will be unranked, or towards the bottom of the Top 25 this week, a win over a traditional quality opponent like Concordia would be huge. For the Tornadoes, a win over UMHB would have a huge affect on their spot in the ASC standings.

Live stream link is in our gameday preview: https://truetothecru.com/2022/01/03/mens-basketball-gameday-preview-concordia-tx-at-umhb/

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

UMHB is in a pretty tough situation.  They're good enough that no one will excuse a loss to anyone, but obviously going through a conference slate without losses is an unrealistic expectation.  It's a battle of attrition from here on out.

[Riley Zayas]

UMHB is in a pretty tough situation.  They're good enough that no one will excuse a loss to anyone, but obviously going through a conference slate without losses is an unrealistic expectation.  It's a battle of attrition from here on out.

Yeah it really is. The game of the year in the ASC might be that Jan. 27 matchup between HSU and UMHB in Belton. Both of these teams have a good opportunity to win out throughout the remainder of the conference schedule, though the ASC is deep enough that a Concordia team barely above .500 could really go toe-to-toe with anyone on any night. I think it's safe to say the ASC will be a one-bid conference this year...not sure of your thoughts on that, but SOS doesn't seem high enough for UMHB, HSU, or any of the other possible contenders.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Whichever doesn't win the conference is likely first to the table from R10. If it's an .850, .515 resume, like its projected to be, that's a solid case. It all depends on how many upsets happen in conference tournaments. I don't think two bids are out of the question, but you sure better not go winless against the other team.

[Riley Zayas]

Whichever doesn't win the conference is likely first to the table from R10. If it's an .850, .515 resume, like its projected to be, that's a solid case. It all depends on how many upsets happen in conference tournaments. I don't think two bids are out of the question, but you sure better not go winless against the other team.

I'd agree completely. That is what makes the Jan. 27 matchup between HSU and MHB in Belton so important. HSU already has 1 win against the Cru, MHB can't afford a second loss and still hope to keep its at-large opportunities open. SCAC seems slightly weaker this year, which, like you said, will probably open an opportunity for the team that doesn't win the ASC title. Time will tell, but calendars should be circled for that Jan. 27 matchup.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Whichever doesn't win the conference is likely first to the table from R10. If it's an .850, .515 resume, like its projected to be, that's a solid case. It all depends on how many upsets happen in conference tournaments. I don't think two bids are out of the question, but you sure better not go winless against the other team.

I'd agree completely. That is what makes the Jan. 27 matchup between HSU and MHB in Belton so important. HSU already has 1 win against the Cru, MHB can't afford a second loss and still hope to keep its at-large opportunities open. SCAC seems slightly weaker this year, which, like you said, will probably open an opportunity for the team that doesn't win the ASC title. Time will tell, but calendars should be circled for that Jan. 27 matchup.

The big help is the NWC. They traditionally have low SOS and likely fewer high WP teams.

[Riley Zayas]

Whichever doesn't win the conference is likely first to the table from R10. If it's an .850, .515 resume, like its projected to be, that's a solid case. It all depends on how many upsets happen in conference tournaments. I don't think two bids are out of the question, but you sure better not go winless against the other team.

I'd agree completely. That is what makes the Jan. 27 matchup between HSU and MHB in Belton so important. HSU already has 1 win against the Cru, MHB can't afford a second loss and still hope to keep its at-large opportunities open. SCAC seems slightly weaker this year, which, like you said, will probably open an opportunity for the team that doesn't win the ASC title. Time will tell, but calendars should be circled for that Jan. 27 matchup.

The big help is the NWC. They traditionally have low SOS and likely fewer high WP teams.

Yes...that part of why I have heard a number of coaches say that they like the R10 much better than the more south-east region than the ASC was in a few years back because all of the R10 schools are in the same boat when it comes to non-conf. scheduling, and it creates a little more balance SOS wise, which means better at-large opportunities.

UMHB looked very good in the first half last night, but got a little sloppy in the second which made the score seem a whole lot closer than it actually was. ETBU rolled to a 15-point win over Belhaven. UMHB and ETBU meet in Marshall next week.

[Riley Zayas]

Also...42 points from Josiah Johnson against Concordia last night...he hasn't been stopped much this year, even with teams putting more focus to guarding him and Ty Prince.

Game story from last night: https://truetothecru.com/2022/01/04/umhb-mens-basketball-wins-high-scoring-111-101-contest-against-concordia/

[Riley Zayas]

For UMHB head coach Clif Carroll and Sul Ross State head coach Xavier Webb, tonight's matchup holds a special significance. It always does whenever UMHB and SRSU meet on the basketball court. Carroll was recently the head coach in Alpine, before taking the UMHB job. Webb was once a three-point sharpshooter, for Carroll, before being named the head coach in Alpine.

https://truetothecru.com/2022/01/06/for-clif-carroll-and-xavier-webb-thursdays-matchup-holds-special-significance/

[Riley Zayas]

Sul Ross looked good in the first half, and even early in the second, but UMHB pulled away with several double-digit scoring runs. 5 players scored in double figures for the Cru, even with Ty Prince out.

Game story from Belton: https://truetothecru.com/2022/01/07/five-players-score-in-double-figures-as-umhb-mens-basketball-defeats-sul-ross-state-94-81/

Other ASC news: As previously reported, McMurry vs UTD was cancelled last night. UTD at Hardin-Simmons is off for Saturday. Per ASC ruling, these games are no-contests and will NOT be made up

[Riley Zayas]

A 26-0 run midway through the first half all but sealed today's win for UMHB against Howard Payne:
https://truetothecru.com/2022/01/08/exceptional-defensive-start-powers-umhb-mens-basketball-to-94-59/