Men's Basketball | 2/8/2016 3:38:00 PM
ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Feb. 8) – The Central Washington University men's basketball team is preparing for the arrival of Saint Martin's University and Seattle Pacific University this week, as the team looks to secure its place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference playoffs.
Fresh off a two victory week, the Wildcats, who currently sit at 14-5 overall and 9-5 in the GNAC will play host in four of its six final games. An advantage that Head coach Greg Sparaling think will play a big role for his team.
"I think it's that time of the year where everyone has some nicks and bruises," Sparling said. "We've come a long way from our first practice in November. March Madness is right around the corner and we need to make sure all our guys are focused and ready to go."
The Wildcats have been a roll as of late, winning 10 of its last 13 games, including a two-game win streak.
Joseph Stroud leads the Central Washington attack that ranks 29
th in the country in points scored per game at 86.1 clip.
Stroud is averaging 16.2 points per game and snags 6.6 rebounds per contest.
Gary Jacobs heads the trio of talented guards for the Wildcats. The senior swing mans ranks second on the team in points per game, scoring 15.5 points per game. He leads the team in rebounding as the guard grabs 7.2 boards per game.
Joey Roppo chips in with 12.2 points per game, sinking two three-pointers a game and point guard
Devin Matthews continues to do a little bit of everything for the Wildcats as the Las Vegas native averages 11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.
Scouting Saint Martin's University (10-12 overall, 4-10 GNAC)Last week: 64-74 loss to Western Oregon, 81-64 win over Concordia
The Saints march into Nicholson Pavilion looking to avenge a 71-75 loss to the Wildcats nearly a month ago. Fred Jorg leads the scoring attack for the Saints that puts up 72.5 points per game. The big man is the only player on the roster that averages double-digits in the scoring column. Jorg is good for 11.4 points per game while grabbing 6.8 rebounds a game. Tyler Copp is second on the team in scoring as he averages 9.2 points per game. His 39.7 three-point field goal ranks 10
th in the GNAC. The Saints sink eight three-pointers a game which is fourth most in the GNAC.
"They are going to play extremely hard," Sparling said of the Saint's. "They got some kids that can shoot it and a big guy (Jorg) that is shooting a very high percentage, but at the end of the day, we have to defend our home court and we have to do what we need to do. We've built leads on teams and now we have to finish."
Scouting Seattle Pacific University (17-5 overall, 10-4 GNAC)Last week: 76-54 win over Concorida, 82-84 O.T. loss to WOU
The Wildcats will have their work cut out for them when they battle Seattle Pacific Saturday. The Falcons boast the number one scoring defense in the GNAC allowing just 64 points per game. Mitch Penner leads the Falcon's attack in scoring. He averages 17.2 points per game, which ranks fifth in the GNAC in individual scoring. Gillies Deireckx is second on the team in scoring at 11.9 points per game and leads the Falcons in rebounding, snagging 6.6 rebounds per game.
"We have to stretch them out on defense," Sparling said of the Falcons. "But it really comes down to making shots. We had good looks in that last game. I think we have get our inside game going which will lead to some easier shots on the outside. I also think we need to get some easy transitions baskets on Saturday night."
The both Thursday's (Feb. 11) matchup against the Saints and Saturday's (Feb. 13) matchup versus the Falcons will tip-off at 7 p.m. Thursday's game will be Military Appreciation night, and the first 500 fans to Saturday's contest will receive a free throw back tee.
"We have to make sure to clean up what's shooting us in the foot," Sparling added. "Those things are limiting turnovers, hitting our free throws and playing good defense. If we can do those things, I think this team is capable of making a deep run."
