Featured Image Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics
SEATTLE — Southern Utah has made it clear it belongs in the WAC over the past couple of weeks. The Thunderbirds just swept a three game homestand and head to the Emerald City for a huge showdown. The winner takes possession of the first place in the WAC. Both teams have exceeded expectations this season. Seattle U, which had a share of the regular season WAC title last season was only picked to finish 6th this year. The Thunderbirds are the bigger surprise of the two. After being picked 9th in the preseason, they find themselves with an opportunity to take 1st place in the league.
The Leadup
Both teams were in action on Thursday. SUU completed the season sweep of New Mexico State in a 111-76 rout. The Aggies have largely run the WAC for the past decade, yet sit winless in league play seven games in. Seattle dispatched the lone WAC team to have beaten the Thunderbirds thus far this season. Tarleton edged SUU 68-65 two weeks ago but was handled soundly by the Redhawks, who defeated the Texans 67-47. Both teams also come in on impressive winning streaks. Seattle comes in winners of seven straight while SUU enters having won four straight.
Making History
The NET rankings that came out Friday morning had quite the surprise for the Thunderbirds. SUU checked in at No 104. That is 4th highest in the WAC behind Sam Houston, Utah Valley, and Grand Canyon. Seattle sits one spot behind the Thunderbirds at 105. An SUU win would make for a great opportunity for the Thunderbirds to crack the Top 100 come Sunday morning. In what has been a historic season for SUU, the team continues to find ways to make even more history.
Storm Warning
It rains a lot in Seattle both literally and figuratively. A storm is expected to hit the Redhawk Center hard on Saturday evening. Expect lots of points from two explosive offenses. Tevian Jones, Harrison Butler, and Maizen Fausett have made it pour with their scoring all season long. Harrison Butler and Jason Spurgin are ready to show out as well. That is just one corner, however. Seattle will have a strong scoring unit of its own. Cameron Tyson averages 19.9 points per game. Alex Schumacher and Riley Grigsby also average in double figures. A rainstorm of points is in the forecast for Saturday. SUU will need a bigger storm than Seattle on Saturday night if they want to hand the Redhawks their first home loss of the season.