TSU passes SWAC road tests
There are still 13 games left before the SWAC tournament but everything Texas Southern hoped this season would become is coming to fruition.
The Tigers (6-11, 5-0) remain the lone undefeated team in the conference after a 71-65 win at Jackson and a 69-54 win at Grambling State.
They passed the first conference road tests of the year. The Jackson State game is the only conference game that TSU has won by single digits, however.
“It was a close game at the end,” TSU head coach Mike Davis said. “We went up 20 and just kind of relaxed, turned the ball over, gave up too many turnovers at the end for points. That’s one area we try not to give up a lot of points off turnovers. We were able to hang on for the win but it shouldn’t have even been a close game if we would’ve just stayed focused and play.”
Davis, who gave credit to Jackson State for coming back, said the Tigers are still adjusting to handling big leads. They’ve upended Southern by 22, Alcorn State by 16, Prairie View A&M by 26 and Grambling State by 15.
The two-game road trip shows again what makes TSU dangerous. Anyone on the roster is capable of a big night.
Against Jackson State it was guard David Blanks, who had 27 points. At Grambling State it was Derrick Griffin posting his sixth double-double of the season and fourth in SWAC play (16 points, 11 rebound). The TSU receiver has played in 11 total games since joining the team after football season.
“He’s a key for us on the boards and shutting the middle down,” Davis said. “He does a great job of blocking shots and shutting that middle down. He was really good against Grambling.” Now TSU gets home dates against Mississippi Valley State (2-3 in SWAC play) on Saturday and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-4) on Monday.
With each win, the spotlight in the SWAC on TSU grows brighter. Looking ahead, ESPN’s Bracketology pits TSU in the play-in game between No. 16 seeds against another area team in Houston Baptist.
That same prediction has the winner of that game facing a No. 1-seeded Oklahoma.
Davis takes it for what it is if it indeed comes true. He said the Tigers can only worry about what’s in front of them.
“We had our opportunities in the non-conference games,” Davis said. “We didn’t take advantage of it. So right now, it’s not on us anymore. We didn’t take advantage of beating Central Michigan or Iona or Stephen F. Austin. Whatever happens, happens. We just have to be ready to play.”