SAN MARCOS, Texas– Texas State hosts Little Rock on Feb. 5-6 at Strahan Arena as they look to return to its winning ways after dropping two consecutive games last weekend.
The Bobcats (11-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) have the second-best record in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference and are receiving 32 votes in the latest CIT Mid-Major poll. The team averages 66.8 points per game behind a 46.7 field goal percentage, which ranks No. 54 in the NCAA and No. 4 in the conference. TXST also ranks No. 47 in the country with a 37.4 3-point field goal percentage. On the defensive end, the team thrives as they rank inside the top 100 of the NCAA in five categories, including No. 28 in scoring defense (No. 2 in Sun Belt).
Junior guard Mason Harrell leads the Bobcats with 13.7 points per game (No. 14 in the Sun Belt) and is coming off a career-high 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting in the 74-73 loss vs. Louisiana. Harrell is shooting 45.7 percent from the floor, 40.4 percent from 3-point range (No. 10 in the Sun Belt), and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line (No. 5 in the Sun Belt). Harrell also averages 2.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.
Junior guard Caleb Asberry follows with 12.7 points per game (No. 19 in the Sun Belt) and is shooting 53.2 percent from the field, which ranks 11th in the Sun Belt. Asberry also has a .446 clip from behind-the-arc (No. 5 in the Sun Belt). In conference play, Asberry averages 13.4 points and shoots 50.0 percent or better from both the floor (52.6%) and 3-point range (50.0%). In the first two meetings vs. Little Rock, Asberry averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game and was tabbed that week's Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week.
Senior forward Isiah Small averages 10.2 points per game and leads the Bobcats with 5.7 rebounds (No. 14 in the Sun Belt) and 1.2 blocks per game (No. 6 in the Sun Belt). Small also ranks No. 88 in the NCAA with 21 total blocks and No. 7 in the Sun Belt with a 55.6 field goal percentage. The New Jersey native leads the team with 13.8 points per game and shoots 63.2 percent from the floor and 54.5 percent from 3-point range in conference games only.
SCOUTING LITTLE ROCK
After losing three of four games, the Trojans (10-7, 6-4 Sun Belt) swept ULM in Little Rock and enters the weekend third in the Sun Belt West Division. The two-game series vs. Texas State opens a three-game road trip for LR where they are 2-2 in conference road games this season. The Trojans average 72.1 points with a 47.0 field goal percentage (No. 3 in the Sun Belt). Defensively, LR gives up 68.8 points on average and has 3.5 blocks per game.
Junior guard Markquis Nowell leads the team with 14.9 points per game and leads the Sun Belt with 6.4 assists per game. He also sits third in the conference with 2.5 steals per game. Junior forward Nikola Maric follows with 14.8 points per game and shoots 56.1 percent from the floor (No. 6 in the Sun Belt). Senior forward Ruot Monyyong averages a double-double with 12.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Monyyong has 11 double-doubles this season and is tied for the most in the NCAA. Monyyong also ranks 2nd in the league with 1.8 blocks per game and 4th with a 61.4 field goal percentage.
ALL-TIME SERIES
The all-time series between Texas State and Little Rock is tied 9-9, although the Bobcats have won seven of the last eight games, including a two-game weekend sweep earlier this season in Little Rock. TXST is 5-3 all-time when playing LR in San Marcos and have not lost at home to the Trojans since a 77-74 double-overtime setback in 2016.
CHALK TALK
The Texas State men's basketball staff will be hosting Chalk Talk. Chalk Talk will be a presentation by one of the coaching staff members, followed by a meet and greet. Light refreshments will be provided. Chalk Talk will be before each non-conference home game, the UT Arlington game on Feb. 13, 2021, and all Friday home games. For more information about joining the tip-in club, call 512-245-3832.
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