Friday, Feb. 21 – SWOSU at Arkansas-Monticello – 7:30 pm

Monticello, Ark. (Steelman Fieldhouse)

Sunday, Feb. 23 – SWOSU at Southern Arkansas – 3:00 pm

Magnolia, Ark. (W.T. Watson Athletic Center)

COVERAGE LINKS

The SWOSU Men's Basketball team (12-11, 9-9 GAC) will take a four game win streak with them, their longest of the season, when they travel to face Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Arkansas this week. The Bulldogs currently sit sixth in the conference standings with four games to go.

The Bulldogs previously went 1-1 against these opponents, defeating the Boll Weevils 71-63 but falling 68-62 to the Muleriders.

Due to winter weather, both games have been rescheduled to Friday/Sunday.

Arkansas-Monticello (4-20, 1-17 GAC) has struggled to find wins this season. The Bulldogs won the first meeting with four players reaching double figures. Seth Grandberry leads the Boll Weevils with 16.5 points per game (7th in GAC). However, Arkansas-Monticello has the lowest producing offense in the GAC and the third-lowest scoring average in Division II, averaging just 59.5 points per game. Their defense allows 65.5 points per game, with a conference-worst margin of -6.0.

SWOSU has an opportunity to even the series, which dates back to 2012, as the Boll Weevils currently hold a 14-13 lead. In Monticello, the Dawgs are 5-7 and have lost six of their last seven there.  

Southern Arkansas (11-13, 8-10 GAC) previously defeated the Bulldogs back in January and currently holds the eighth and final postseason spot. The Muleriders are led by BJ Davis (12.9 PPG), Carel Ray Jr. (12.4 PPG), and Anthony Igiede (11.2 PPG). As a team, they have the seventh-ranked offense (74.2 PPG) and defense (72.5 PPG) in the conference. However, their field goal percentage is among the lowest in the conference, at 42.8%. The Bulldogs will need to be effective on the defensive boards, as Southern Arkansas averages 11.5 offensive rebounds per game, second-most in the GAC.

Since 2012, these two teams have played 28 times, with an even 14-14 record. In Magnolia, the teams are 6-6. SWOSU won their last matchup inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center 84-72 last season. 

Four Bulldogs score in double digits, led by Tobias Roland with 13.9 points per game. MJ Warrior averages 5.3 assists per game, third-best in the conference. As a team, SWOSU scores 70 points per game while allowing 71.7 points per game. The Bulldogs defend the three-point line well, allowing teams to shoot just 32% from beyond the arc, the second-best mark in the conference.

Last week, SWOSU set season high scoring totals in back-to-back games, capped off by an 85-75 win against Southeastern. The Bulldogs are 10-2 if they reach 70 points this season.