Featured Image Courtesy of Jason Marsteller, Southern Utah Athletics
LAS VEGAS — The Southern Utah Thunderbirds make the two-and-a-half-hour trip to Sin City on Saturday for a game against the California State University, Fullerton Titans. This game is a part of the Jack Jones Hoopfest which will include two additional contests following this game. The Titans won the Big West Conference Tournament last season and went to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Duke 61-78 in the first round. The Thunderbirds will look to get a major win that would bolster their resume with two more non-conference games remaining before WAC play begins.
Last Time Out
SUU drubbed NCCAA member West Coast Baptist College 120-49 Tuesday night. They are on a two-game winning streak that also includes a win over former Big Sky Conference opponent Idaho State 69-59 last Saturday. Cal State Fullerton is on a four-game losing streak most recently falling to Pac-12 opponent USC 50-64 on Wednesday. Faced against a desperate Titans team, the Thunderbirds will need to play great to come away with the win.
Stats and Other Need to Know
The Titans hold a slight edge over SUU in three-point shooting. The Titans make 34.8% of such shots while the Thunderbirds shoot 32.2% from distance. From the free throw line, SUU’s advantage is a bit more noticeable. The Thunderbirds are making 72% of throws from the charity stripe compared to the 63.4% Cal State Fullerton makes. SUU also holds a significant advantage in rebounding, scoring, and assists. If the Thunderbirds can outplay the Titans in all of these categories, they should leave Vegas with the win.
Beehive State Takes Over Vegas
SUU is one of three teams from the state of Utah that will play in Michelob ULTRA Arena on Saturday. All three games on the Saturday slate will feature a team from the Beehive State. BYU will do battle with Creighton following this game while Utah State takes on Loyola Marymount in the nightcap. The event continues Monday with two games neither of which involves a Utah-based team. Arizona State will face Creighton while San Francisco goes up against New Mexico. The Aggies and Lobos, both members of the Mountain West are undefeated heading into this event.