Javelinas defense measures up against the best - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller
Back in 2004, Bo Atterberry was the defensive coordinator at Southeastern (Okla.) State when that ballclub advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
That season, Southeastern had the 16th-best defense in the country, limiting opponents to 283.9 yards per game. Now in his fourth season as the coach of the fifth-ranked Javelinas, Atterberry has maintained that Southeastern was one of the best defensive units with which he has been associated.
While that may be true, that Southeastern unit has company. These days, the Javelinas’ defense has proven to be equal, if not superior, to that squad.
Heading into Saturday afternoon’s Lone Star Conference crossover game at Southwestern (Okla.) State, A&M-Kingsville’s defense is ranked sixth among Division II teams in total defense, allowing 235.5 yards per game. The 7-1 Javelinas are first in rushing defense (53 yards per game) and fifth in scoring defense (13.6).
“I think this bunch is more athletic from top to bottom. That bunch in 2004 was probably made up of a few more guys who’d been together a little bit longer. That, to me, was what made them as good as they were,” Atterberry said. “This group, again, surprisingly with some of the new additions, has picked it up pretty quick and done what we’ve asked them to do and been in the right spot.
“Of course if there’s been a mistake here or there, there’s been some athleticism to make up for it, some effort,” Atterberry said.
A&M-K offense still looking for consistency - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller
Perched with a 7-1 record and No. 5 national ranking, it is difficult to have much of a beef with the way Texas A&M-Kingsville has performed offensively. On the other hand, the Javelinas continue to be a work in progress, still searching for consistency.
The latest effort, a very uneven 357-yard effort in last Saturday’s 13-10 Lone Star Conference squeaker in Stephenville against Tarleton State. Generously, the 7-1 Javelinas handled their business when needed, driving 85 yards for the game-tying score before halftime and a quick 36 yards for Christian Brom’s game-winning field goal with 21 seconds remaining.
Situations like that are giving the Javelinas hope that bigger things are, at least, possible.
“I feel like just from watching game film to game film, I feel like we’re really close. But I also understand that it’s a heated competition out there on Saturday nights and things are not going to go perfect as well,” fourth-year Javelinas coach Bo Atterberry said. “You could say a play here, a play there all you want. But the important thing is you take a look, correct it, put it behind you and start working forward.
“I think the difference between the good and great teams is that ability to correct mistakes and move on and not dwell on stuff.”
LSC Preseason Basketball Polls
UCO, MSU men's basketball preseason choices
Central Oklahoma and Midwestern State are the favorites according to the Lone Star Conference men’s basketball preseason polls announced Thursday.
Both teams won the divisional titles last season as the Bronchos claimed their third-straight North Division crown, while the Mustangs won the South Division and league championship titles for the second consecutive year.
Click here for the complete 2010-11 LSC Basketball Media Guide
The LSC has 15 teams set to play this season with the addition of Incarnate Word and the league races should be as spirited as ever. Action begins on November 12.
Here’s a closer look at what the voters said about LSC men’s basketball in 2010-11:
NORTH DIVISION
Central Oklahoma is favored in the Lone Star Conference North Division, according to the annual preseason polls.
UCO returns seven lettermen from last year’s 22-7 team that won a third straight Lone Star Conference North Division championship and made the NCAA Division II national tournament for the fifth time in six years. The Bronchos are led by returning All-American Dauntae Williams, who averaged 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.4 steals a game last season.
The Bronchos were a unanimous selection, collecting all 20 first-place votes to finish with 140 total points in the balloting of LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.
Northeastern State was second in the poll with 107 points to edge Texas A&M-Commerce, who was third with 103. Southwestern Oklahoma was fourth with 81, followed by Southeastern Oklahoma fifth (50), Cameron sixth (40) and East Central seventh (39).
SOUTH DIVISION
Midwestern State is the Lone Star Conference South Division preseason favorite after going 31-3 overall and 10-2 in league play in 2010-11, according to the LSC’s annual men’s basketball preseason polls.
The Mustangs enjoyed a banner campaign under first-year coach Grant McCasland last season advancing to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the first time in school history. MSU claimed their third LSC championship in the last four years as well.
The Mustangs received 12 first-place votes out of the 21 votes cast for 159 total points by LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.
Tarleton State was second in the poll with five first-place tallies for 134 points to edge Angelo State, who was third with 127 including three first-place nods. West Texas A&M was fourth with 102 points, Incarnate Word fifth (69), Texas A&M-Kingsville sixth (65), Eastern New Mexico seventh (55) and Abilene Christian seventh (45).
Rank North Division 1st Total
1 Central Oklahoma 20 140
2 Northeastern State 107
3 Texas A&M-Commerce 103
4 Southwestern Oklahoma 81
5 Southeastern Oklahoma 50
6 Cameron 40
7 East Central 39
Rank South Division 1st Total
1 Midwestern State 12 159
2 Tarleton State 5 134
3 Angelo State 3 127
4 West Texas A&M 102
5 Incarnate Word 69
6 Texas A&M-Kingsville 65
7 Eastern New Mexico 1 55
8 Abilene Christian 45
Women's Basketball: NSU, WTAMU preseason picks
Northeastern State is favored to win the North Division, while West Texas A&M is the top pick in the South Division as the annual Lone Star Conference women’s basketball preseason polls were announced on Thursday.
Both teams won the divisional titles last season as the RiverHawks picked up their fifth North Division title, while the Lady Buffs claimed the South Division for the fifth straight year and the league championship for the third consecutive year.
Click here for the complete 2010-11 LSC Basketball Media Guide
The LSC has 16 teams set for this season with the addition of Incarnate Word and the league races should be as tight as ever. The season begins November 12.
Here’s a closer look at what the voters had to say about LSC women’s basketball in 2010-11:
NORTH DIVISION
Northeastern State is the top choice in the Lone Star Conference North Division after winning its fifth divisional title with a 13-1 record in 2009-10.
The RiverHawks posted a school record for wins (28-7) and reached the title game of the LSC Championship and NCAA Division II South Central Regional last year.
NSU collected 17 of the 22 first-place votes and tallied 170 points as the top team in the balloting of LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.
Central Oklahoma finished second with five first-place nods and 151 points, while Southeastern Oklahoma was third with 130 points.
Texas Woman’s was fourth with 116 points, followed by Cameron’s fifth with70, East Central sixth with 68, Texas A&M-Commerce seventh with 45 and Southwestern Oklahoma eighth with 42.
SOUTH DIVISION
West Texas A&M is favored to win the Lone Star Conference South Division this season, according to the league’s annual women’s basketball preseason polls.
The Lady Buffs return three starters from last season’s team that went 30-4 overall and 10-2 in the LSC South Division, while winning a third straight LSC Championship and advancing to the school’s seventh consecutive NCAA Division II South Central Regional.
WTAMU received 15 of the 23 first-place votes and totaled 175 points as the top pick in the balloting of LSC coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives.
Tarleton State was picked second in the poll, with seven first-place votes for 166 points, while Angelo State was third with one first-place nod and 107 points.
Rounding out the poll in fourth was Abilene Christian with 99 points, Texas A&M-Kingsville fifth with 96, Incarnate Word sixth with 65, Midwestern State seventh with 63 points and Eastern New Mexico eighth with 57.
Rank NORTH DIVISION 1st TOTAL
1 Northeastern State 17 170
2 Central Oklahoma 5 151
3 Southeastern Oklahoma 130
4 Texas Woman’s 116
5 Cameron 70
6 East Central 68
7 Texas A&M-Commerce 45
8 Southwestern Oklahoma 42
Rank SOUTH DIVISION 1st TOTAL
1 West Texas A&M 15 175
2 Tarleton State 7 166
3 Angelo State 1 107
4 Abilene Christian 99
5 Texas A&M-Kingsville 96
6 Incarnate Word 65
7 Midwestern State 63
8 Eastern New Mexico 57
LSC Cross Country: ENMU's Noor and Reid earn weekly honors
Click here for championship webpage courtesy of ACU
RUNNERS OF THE WEEK
MALE
Mohamed Noor, Eastern New Mexico University, Jr., Lewiston, Maine, Lewiston HS
Despite strong winds, Noor placed 1st in the 8k at the ECU Tiger Chase with a time of 25:49.9.
FEMALE
Nicole Reid, Eastern New Mexico University, Jr., Pueblo, Colo., Pueblo East HS
Reid battled through tough weather conditions to place 1st at the ECU Tiger Chase. Reid won the 5k with a time of 19:44.2.
Click here for the complete release
OTHER TOP RUNNERS
Kiya Dandena, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, despite stopping to remove a thorn from the inside of his shoe, Dandena still managed to finish second at the ASU Blue and Gold Classic on Tuesday. He crossed the tape in 26:17.68 for the 8K course and led the Javelinas to a close third place finish.
Julius Korir, Cameron University, finished the 8k East Central Tiger Chase in second place with a time of 26:09. His time at East Central was just shy of his personal best at the LSC Championship last season.
Armando Saldivar, East Central University, ran the 8-kilometer ECU Tiger Chase in 26:13.7, good enough for third place on a wet course.
Briana Villarreal, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, led the Javelinas with a seventh place finish at the ASU Blue and Gold Classic on Tuesday. She finished the 5K race in a time of 20:31. 57. It was the first time this year that she has been the team’s top finisher.
Hayley Jennings, East Central University, clocked in at 19:58.0 for second place at the 5-kilometer ECU Tiger Chase. The final one-third of the race was hit by by high winds and a heavy downpour.
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