Texas A&M International (12-3, 2-0 Heartland) at Newman (9-4, 1-0 Heartland)
Thursday, Jan. 12 || 5:30 p.m. || Fugate Gymnasium || Wichita, Kan.
Live Video || Live Stats || Live Audio
Newman Notes || A&M International Notes
WICHITA- The Newman men's basketball team continues its three-game homestand when the Dustdevils of Texas A&M-International come to Wichita on Thursday. Tip-time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium. The game will be broadcast live in Wichita by KGSO 1410 AM, with Jimmy Chavez and Bernie Pearson calling the action.
Projected Starters...
Newman Jets Texas A&M-International Dustdevils
Pos-Player-Height-Class Pos-Player-Height-Class
G Eric Saunders 6-4 SR. G Ryan McLucas 5-11 SR.
G Bobby Wesley 5-10 R-JR. G Brian Schaeffer 6-2 SR.
G Kyle Grant 6-4 JR. G Armando Brito 6-6 SR.
F Chuck Coley 6-7 SR. F Ian Salter 6-10 SR.
F Mason Felter 6-8 SR. C Evan Matteson 6-10 SR.
Jets Open Up Conference Slate...
The Jets play the second of three-straight conference home games on Thursday when the Dustdevils come to town. Newman opened up Heartland Conference play on Saturday with a 84-68 victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith. Senior Eric Saunders (12.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.2 apg) was the Jets go-to-player in the non-conference portion of the schedule. The Moberly, Mo., native has scored in double-figures in three-consecutive games for the Jets. Chuck Coley (9.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg) has used his size and length to wreak havoc on both sides of the ball. In his Newman debut on Nov. 11 against Missouri S&T, the West Palm Beach, Fla. native grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds.
Newman is undefeated at home this season, owning a 6-0 mark inside Fugate Gymnasium. The Jets are averaging 71 points per game on their home floor, shooting 41.1 percent from the field. On the road, TAMIU is playing .500 basketball, possessing a 1-1 record in true road games.
Last Time Out...
The Jets improved their record to 2-1 in Heartland Conference openers, when they dismantaled Arkansas-Fort Smith 84-68 on Saturday. In a game that was physical from the opening-tip, neither team trailed by more than six points in the opening period of play. Both teams made a living at the free-throw line, combining to attempt 30 free-throws in the first half.
The second half carried a similar tone as the first period. Newman scored five points in the first minute of play, extending its lead to 39-30 after an Eric Saunders three-pointer. UAFS kept themselves in the game, scoring six unanswered points, highlighted by a Jake Toupal layup. At the 8:14 mark, the Jets finally grabbed firm control of the ball-game, following a pair of Josh Pleasant free-throws, widening their lead to 64-56. During the final seven minutes of the game, five Jets scored baskets to close out the victory. The two squads combined for a record 91 free-throws. Eric Saunders led the Newman offense with 19 points, one of four Jets to finish the night in double-figures.
Player to Watch...
Josh Pleasant- The junior-college transfer from Otero CC has averaged 10.2 points per game in the past four outings, including tying his career-high of 15 points in his last game against Arkansas-Fort Smith on Jan. 7
Stacking Up Against the Heartland...
Newman finds themselves at the top of many statistical categories in the Heartland Conference. As a team, the Jets lead the league in blocked shots per game (4.3), steals per contest (9.5), and turnover margin (+4.23).
Eric Saunders' point-per-game average ranks 12th in the Heartland, and his assist totals mark him fifth. Chuck Coley is near the top of many categories. Coley ranks seventh in rebounds per game, his 78.1 free-throw percentage is eighth in the conference, while his 1.2 blocked shots per contest is the third best mark in the Heartland.
Scouting TAMIU...
The Dustdevil s enter Thursday's game with a record of 12-3, and are off to a 2-0 start in Heartland Conference play, beating UT-Permian Basin, 65-59 and St. Edward's 80-73, last week.
Ryan McLucas (12.7 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.6 rpg) is one of many offensive threats for TAMIU. The senior guard from Oxnard, Calif is shooting a 44.7 percent clip from three-point land, while averaging a team-high 32.6 minutes per game.
Brian Schaeffer (12.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.1 apg) ranks seventh in the Heartland Conference, shooting 54.6 percent from the field. The 6-2 senior from Phoenix, Ariz. scored a season-high 24 points in a 102-60 win over Hillsdale Freewill Baptist on Dec. 2, 2011. Schaeffer's mark was also a team-high for the season.
Evan Matteson (10.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg) is one of two 6-10 centers for the Dustdevils. The transfer from Alaska-Fairbanks, has lead TAMIU in rebounds four-straight games. Matteson's rebound-per-game average marks fourth in the conference.
As a team, the Dustdevils are averaging 77.2 points per game, out-scoring its opponents by a Heartland Conference best, 16.8 points per game. TAMIU also leads the conference in the following statistical categories: scoring defense (61.3 ppg), field goal percent defense (39%), three-point field goal percentage (40.4%), assists (18.1 apg), and assist/turnover ratio (1.3)
Thursday Showdown...
Thursday's contest marks the tenth time the respective schools have met. TAMIU leads the all-time series, 4-3. Last season, each school won in their home gyms. In Wichita, the Jets won 80-77, while in Laredo the Dustdevils raced to a 85-59 victory. The schools also met in the Heartland Conference tournament on March 4, 2011, as TAMIU ended Newman's season 91-74.
