Game Notes (pdf.)
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 12th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team returns to post-season action Saturday at 7:30 p.m. when it hosts the University of Wisconsin-Parkside for the first round of the GLVC Tournament at the Physical Activities Center. USI, the second seed in this year's tournament, has appeared in 12 of the 14 GLVC Tournaments, winning the title in 2005 and 2007.
The Screaming Eagles (22-4, 14-4 GLVC) begin the post season after a tough week, going 1-2 to finish the regular season. USI, which is still second in the latest NCAA II Midwest Region rankings, lost to Kentucky Wesleyan College, 84-77, and second-ranked Bellarmine University, 84-79, before righting the ship with a 63-61 win over then 21st-ranked Northern Kentucky University on Senior Day.
USI senior guard #C.J. Trotter# (Hopkinsville, Kentucky) is on top of the scoring column this season and in February for the Eagles. Trotter has had the hot hand this month with 16.8 points per game and has led the team from start to finish in 2010-11 with 15.0 points per outing.
Following Trotter in the scoring column is senior center
Mohamed Ntumba (Kinshasa, Congo). Ntumba, who leads the squad with 8.1 rebounds per contest, is averaging 13.6 points per appearance this year, while dropping in 12.7 points per game since February 1.
The Eagles have an 11-4 record against the GLVC Tournament field. USI outscored the tournament field by an average of nine points per game (76.5-67.5) and outrebounded the field by an average of 8.4 rebounds per game (37.9-29.5).
The Rangers of UW-Parkside (9-17, 6-12 GLVC) posted a win in their last game to earn a shot at USI this weekend. UW-Parkside defeated Saint Joseph's College, 62-61, to latch onto to the 11th seed.
USI leads the all-time series with UW-Parkside, 24-7, after defeating the Rangers, 93-81, in January. The Eagles also have won 15 of the last 18 meetings since 2000 and are 6-1 against the Rangers at the PAC during the last 12 years.
If USI wins its first round match-up with UW-Parkside, the Eagles will skip the second round and advance to the semifinals on March 5 at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. The GLVC Tournament championship game is slated for March 6.
NABC/Division II Coaches Poll
(February 22, 2011-Poll #13)
1. West Liberty
2. Bellarmine
3. Humboldt State
4. Alabama-Huntsville
5. Augusta State
6. Minnesota State
7. Central Oklahoma
8. Missouri Southern
9. Arkansas Tech
10. Findlay
11. Central Washington
12. Southern Indiana
13. Lincoln Memorial
14. Harding
15. Cal State-Dominguez Hills
16. Hillsdale
17. Fort Hays State
18. Rollins
19. Mary
20. Tarleton State
21. Ferris State
22. Bowie State
23. Colorado School of Mines
24. Bentley
25. Mercyhurst
Others receiving votes: Indianapolis 11, Georgia Southwestern 10, Benedict 8, W. Texas A&M 8, Stonehill 7, Northern Ky. 4, Drury 2, Fla. Southern 2, Indiana-Pa. 2, Wayne State (Mich.) 2, |
NCAA II Midwest Region Rankings
(February 23)
1. Bellarmine
2. Southern Indiana
3. Ferris State
4. Drury
5. Wayne State
6. Hillsdale
7. Northern Kentucky
8. Findlay
9. Indianapolis
10. Kentucky Wesleyan |
