A Look at the Games
The California State University, Sacramento men’s basketball team (8-9
overall, 2-4 in the Big Sky) will end its three-game road trip this week
as it travels to the University of Montana on Thursday and Montana State
on Friday. The games represent the only time this season that Sacramento
State will have to play back-to-back contests.
The Hornets have lost their last three games including a 72-70 loss to
Portland State on Jan. 22 which ended the team’s six-game winning streak
at Memorial Auditorium.
Montana is currently 9-9 overall and 4-3 in the Big Sky Conference.
Last week, the Grizzlies defeated Portland State (78-76) on Thursday and
Eastern Washington on Saturday (88-82).
Montana State (11-9 overall, 3-4 in Big Sky games) split a pair of home
games last week. The Bobcats fell to Eastern Washington (78-75) on
Thursday and defeated Portland State (91-73) on Saturday.
A Look at the Coaches
Head coach Tom Abatemarco, in his third season with Sacramento State,
has posted a 12-57 record in his time with the Hornets. Prior to coming
to CSUS, Abatemarco served as head coach at Lamar and Drake. He has also
served as an assistant coach at St. John’s, Maryland, Virginia Tech,
North Carolina State, Colorado and Rutgers. While at N.C. State, he was
a member of the Wolfpack staff that defeated Houston to win the NCAA
Tournament.
Montana is coached by Don Holst who is in his second season at UM.
During that time, Holst has posted a 22-23 overall record.
Montana State is guided by Mick Durham who is in his 10th season at the
helm of the Bobcats. Including this season, Durham owns a 140-138
overall record.
A Look at the Hornets
Believe It or Not
With the victory over Eastern Washington on Jan. 20, Sacramento Stateset a new school record for wins at the Division I level. The previous
mark of seven victories was held by the 1995-96 team which finished
7-20. The Hornets are also closing in on the school record for Big Sky
wins set last season (3-13). The team is currently 2-4 with 10 games to
play.
Road Woes
Simply stated, Sacramento State has never won a Big Sky road game.With the loss at Idaho State on Saturday, the Hornets have now dropped
26-straight games. During that stretch, Sacramento State has been
outscored, 80.9-55.5.
The Hornets have lost 10 games by less than 15 points but 11 by more
than 30. The closest the team has come to a win came in the 1997-98
season where it fell 52-50 at Montana and 75-73 in overtime at Eastern
Washington.
Filling in Nicely
Sophomore Arinze Anoruo has made the most of his new playing time. Theforward, who has inherited a starting spot since Thomas Wieck was
injured, has scored in double-figures in three of the past four games.
Anoruo scored 10 against both Eastern Washington and Cal State
Northridge before recording a career-high 14 points at Idaho State. The
San Francisco native also had eight rebounds against Portland State and
seven boards at ISU. He also led the team with five assists against CSN.
Stepping it Up
After a very slow start, junior Ricky Glenn is starting to find hisniche in the Hornet offense. Glenn, who started his first game at
Sacramento State on Saturday, responded with 19 points and nine rebounds – both team highs. In six Big Sky games, Glenn trails only Flood,
Gonzales and Anoruo with 8.0 points per game. The Sacramento, Calif.,
native also ranks fourth on the team with 4.3 boards in conference
games.
What a Difference a Year Makes
For those who think a three-game losing streak is bad, you only haveto think back to this time last season. After 17 games, the Hornets were
winless and within one loss of tying the national record for consecutive
losses. The difference between the two seasons can be solely attributed
to defense. Last year, the team averaged 61.4 ppg in its first 17
contests – the exact number it is averaging this season. Defensively,
the 1998-99 team allowed 79.9 ppg while the 1999-2000 squad is holding
teams to 65.4.
New Faces In Practice
Hornet practices will became a little more crowded this week asfreshman Shawn Patterson and transfer Ronnie Walton will both begin
participating with the team. Patterson, who redshirted last season, has
missed all of this year after breaking a bone in his foot during the
first week of practice. Walton, a graduate of Grant HS in Sacramento,
transferred to Sacramento State from University of Detroit. The guard
will be cleared to play in competition next January and will have one
and a half seasons of eligibility left with the Hornets.
In the Rankings
As a team, Sacramento State continues to lead the Big Sky in scoringdefense (65.4 ppg), defensive field goal percentage (.408) and turnover
margin (+3.29). On the other side, the Hornets rank last in scoring
offense (61.4 ppg), field goal percentage (.389), assists (11.65) and
three pointers per game (5.35).
Individually, Flood is second in blocked shots (1.76 pg), third in
rebounding with 7.5 per game and 13th in the Big Sky with 14.0 ppg.
Pablo Gonzales is third in steals (1.76) and Rame Batta is fifth in
steals with 1.65 per game and eighth in free throw percentage (.796).
A Look at the Opponents
After losing three straight, Montana picked up a pair of wins lastweek. The Grizzlies have now won six of their past nine. Matt Williams
leads the team and is second in the Big Sky with 19.7 ppg. Williams also
leads the conference with 9.5 rebounds.
Montana leads the all-time series, 9-1. Last season the teams each wonat home. The Hornet win snapped the school’s 34-game losing streak.
MSU is just 1-3 in its last four games but 7-4 in the past 11. JeffLazosky and Justin Brown rank eighth and ninth in the leage,
respectively, with 14.9 and 14.8 ppg.
The Bobcats own a commanding 11-1 lead in the all-time series and are6-0 in Big Sky Conference games against the Hornets.
