Tigers, Panthers to end longwait
It’s SWAC opener for both teams, which haven’t played in newyear
By the time Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M expected to be playing basketball against each other in 2021, they both would have two SWAC games and several more nonconference encounters under their belts.
That’s not the case. Monday’s 7 p.m. tipoff at the Nicks Building in Prairie View will be both teams’ SWAC opener, as well as each team’s first game of the new year.
“Normally it’s a question with our kids, ‘How am I playing?’ But this year it’s been, ‘Are we playing or who are we playing?’ ” Prairie View coach Byron Smith said. “It’s been difficult, but we’ve handled it the best we can.”
TSU, which paused basketball activities Dec. 29, resumed practicing late last week, going two weeks without a practice. TSU’s women, which play Prairie View at 5 p.m. Monday, paused basketball activities Dec. 30.
“We’ve had quite some time off and only a few practices since that time and (are) excited to be back on the floor against an opponent,” TSU coach Johnny Jones said. “And really excited about it being conference play.”
Attendance for Monday’s doubleheader is limited to 25 percent (1,625).
TSU last played Dec. 21, an 87-71 loss at BYU. Prairie View last played Dec. 30, a 66-61loss at TCU, a game the Panthers picked up after TSU had to drop its game with the Horned Frogs. Panthers point guard Cam Mack scored a team-high 16 points.
Monday’s men’s game matches the two-time reigning regular season champion (Prairie View) and the preseason pick to win the conference (TSU) by the league coaches.
“It certainly is not the ideal schedule for either of us,” Jones said. “We both would have loved to have played a (conference) game, but unfortunately we have not been able to. I’m sure we’re both eager and looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge that this presents.”
Like TSU, Prairie View has dealt with COVID-19 issues. The Panthers paused basketball activities for two weeks in early December, having three nonconference games canceled. After resuming play, the Panthers got two games in, including that close loss at TCU.
TSU (2-5) and Prairie View(1-4) were scheduled to open conference play on the road last week, each team playing Alcorn State and Southern University.
But a positive test in the Jaguars program postponed those games.
The Tigers and Panthers originally were scheduled to play each other Saturday, but the game was moved back two days.
For both programs, there seems to be one road block after another. Jackson State, which Prairie View was
scheduled to host this upcoming Saturday, notified the SWAC two days ago that a player within its program tested positive for COVID-19.
“The number for us is trying to get to that 13 games,” Smith said.
In September, the NCAA Division I Council announced that teams will be considered for NCAA Tour
nament selection if they play at least13 games against Division I teams.
After Monday’s game with TSU, Prairie View will need to play at least seven more games to be eligible for postseason.
Smith has been proactive looking to schedule additional games. He’s looking to schedule a mid week non
conference game this week.
But for now the focus for TSU and Prairie View is playing each other on Monday night.
TSU’s Michael Weathers, a first-year transfer from Oklahoma State, has twice been named SWAC Player of the Week. He averages a team-best 15 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 steals. Galen Alexander, a Georgetown transfer, averages 11.1 points. John Walker III, a former Texas A&M player, averages 14.6 points and erupted for a career-high 35 points in a 103-60 home win over LeTourneau on Dec. 11.
“I expect them to be hungry and want to beat us,” Smith said. “They have some new players, some high-major transfers that can really play.”
Mack, a junior point guard transfer from Nebraska, leads the Panthers in scoring at 15 points a game and averages 6.5 assists. Guard Jeremiah Gambrell averages 9.4 points. Guard Faite Williams was named to the 10-player All-Tournament team at the Wade Houston Tipoff Classic in Louisville, Ky.