ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Seattle University will travel across the country Friday for Saturday afternoon's game against fellow independent Longwood University, the first of a home-and-home series between the two schools this season. The Redhawks look to rebound after a tough loss at Idaho Tuesday, while the Lancers are also coming off a road loss as they begin a three-game homestand. This is the last day game scheduled for Seattle U in 2011-12.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
Seattle University
- Guard: #5 Cervante Burrell - 5-10, 170 - Sr.
- Guard: #10 Sterling Carter - 6-0, 200 - So.
- Forward: #2 Aaron Broussard - 6-5, 225 - Sr.
- Forward: #12 Clarence Trent - 6-6, 225 - So.
- Forward: #25 Eric Wallace - 6-7, 233 - Sr.
THE IDAHO GAME: Seattle University jumped out to an early lead, but Idaho came back in the second half to take the lead, and the Vandals held on for a 70-69 victory over the Redhawks Tuesday night at Cowan Spectrum. Idaho pulled ahead thanks to a three-pointer by Deremy Geiger with 1:24 left in the game. Aaron Broussard's layup attempt with 1:06 left rolled out, but the Vandals could not increase the lead, committing a turnover. After Seattle U failed to score on its next possession, Landon Tatum was fouled, but missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving the Redhawks one final chance with 14 seconds remaining in regulation. However, because Idaho was called for only three fouls in the second half up to this point, it was able to give three fouls without sending the Redhawks to the line, killing about nine seconds off the clock. On Seattle U's final chance, Broussard was able to get off a jumper, but it was unsuccessful, and the buzzer sounded with the Vandals holding on for the victory and the season sweep over the Redhawks.
NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS: Aaron Broussard is 42nd in the country in scoring average at 18.15 ppg. As a team, the Redhawks are eighth in Division I in rebounding, averaging 40.15 rebounds per game.
SCOUTING LONGWOOD: The Lancers come into Saturday's game with an 8-15 record after losing to South Carolina State Monday night, 74-58. Longwood is 5-3 at home entering Saturday's contest. The Lancers score 74.2 points per game and give up 83.7 points per contest. As a team, Longwood is shooting 43.5 percent from the field, including 34.9 percent from behind the three-point line, and 67.9 percent from the free throw line. Antwan Carter is one of the leading players among independent schools, averaging 18.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, thanks in part to shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 70.2 percent from the free throw line. Jeremiah Bowman is contributing 13.5 points and a team-high 5.95 assists per game. Tristan Carey has made 43 three-pointers on his way to averaging 12.7 points per game, and Martiz Washington is averaging 10.0 points per game thanks in part to a team-high 54 made three-pointers. This is the first meeting all-time between Seattle University and Longwood University.
LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE: Looking at the list of Division I independents on ESPN.com, there are only three this season: CSU Bakersfield, Longwood, and Seattle U. The two teams facing each other today, the Lancers and the Redhawks, are in their final year as an independent. Besides Seattle U's move to the WAC, Longwood is heading to the Big South Conference starting in the 2012-13 academic year. That will leave the Roadrunners as the only independent team next season. However, there is no automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the members of the Great West Conference, so it is just as difficult for schools in that league to reach the NCAA Tournament.
FROM WAY DOWNTOWN: In less than two seasons, Sterling Carter has already moved into seventh place on Seattle U's all-time list for made three-pointers with 133. The next target for Carter is a tie for fifth with Mack Junior (1995-99) and Arne Klubberud (1995-99) having 144 career made three-pointers apiece.
IT STARTS WITH AB: After passing the 1,000-point mark Nov. 22 at Montana State, senior Aaron Broussard is working his way up the Seattle U all-time scoring list. He currently has 1,326 career points, passing Stan Glowaski (1952-55) for 15th place on the list, Lou West (1967-70) currently sits in 14th place with 1,341 career points. Broussard also has 152 career steals, fourth place on the career steals list, with Chris Gweth (2006-10) just ahead of him in third place with 154 career steals. Broussard was named the Jesuit Player of the Week by the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight after his all-tournament performance in the Elgin Baylor Classic. He has also been named Independent Player of the Week by College Sports Madness three times this season, including Jan. 30 after finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds against UC Irvine Jan. 24. He was named Independent Player of the Month for January by College Hoops Net after averaging 20.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game in the first month of 2012.
INDEPENDENT PLAYER OF WEEK: After scoring a season-high 24 points in last Saturday's victory over Arkansas State, senior guard Cervante Burrell was named Independent Player of the Week by College Sports Madness, announced Monday by the website. Burrell shot 9-of-13 from the field, making all six of his field goal attempts in the first half that included a buzzer-beating three-pointer, his first of the season. He also went 5-for-7 from the free throw line to finish just two points shy of his career high in scoring. Burrell dished out six assists and earned two steals as the Redhawks defeated the Red Wolves, 75-69. The senior has been in the starting lineup for the last seven games, averaging 29.1 minutes, 10.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. For the season, he is shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the free throw line. With 286 career assists, Burrell has moved into ninth place on the school's all-time assist list, with Seattle U Hall of Famers Keith Harrell (287 assists) and Clint Richardson (289 assists) just ahead of him.
BACK AT JIMMY'S: The Cameron Dollar Coaches Show returns to Jimmy's on Broadway Monday, Feb. 13, beginning at 9 p.m. Hosted by Dave Grosby and Gary Hill, Jr., the show features an interview with Coach Dollar along with highlights of previous games and a preview of upcoming contests.
END-OF-YEAR BANQUET: The men's basketball banquet and silent auction is set for Sunday, March 11, at The Space Needle. For more information visit the Special Events tab on GoSeattleU.com.