Sam Houston crunch time

SCOUTING REPORT

If you're looking for the secret to Sam Houston State's success in the Southland Conference this season, it's easy: superior athleticism.

The conference is not known for teams that brim with it, but the Bearkats have plenty. For that reason, some conference coaches think they have a chance to do more damage in the NCAA Tournament than the typical yearly representative.

The Bearkats play an uptempo style, but that's not to say they run at will. Defensively, they press some but rely mostly on a strong man-to-man set that they play well enough to have placed in the top 10 nationally in field-goal defense.

If there is an NBA prospect in the league, it's Donald Cole, a 6-foot-8 forward who is the team's best inside and outside scorer. Steady senior point guard Robert Shannon makes the offense go.

Stopping Shannon is the key. The last time he had a bad game was the last time the Bearkats lost, as Louisiana Monroe forced him into a season-high four turnovers. With Shannon and Cole clicking down the stretch, the Bearkats won 14 of 15.

CRUNCH TIME

When the game is on the line, who do you want...

TAKING THE LAST SHOT: Though a forward, Donald Cole is the best pure shooter, even from 3-point range. His 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in overtime was the winner against Stephen F. Austin in the Southland tournament final.

AT THE FREE THROW LINE: Guard Robert Shannon, the Bearkats' only reliable free-throw shooter, is money in the final five minutes, when he is 27 of 31. Against Texas-Arlington on Feb.17, his two free throws in the final minute sealed a 56-52 victory.

HANDLING THE BALL: Shannon is the sure-handed playmaker. Whether protecting a lead or coming from behind, the Bearkats want the ball in his hands. The Southland's assist leader the past two seasons, Shannon found Cole wide open for the winner in the league's tournament final.

GUARDING THE OPPONENT'S BEST PLAYER: Center Jay Oliphant is undersized at 6-foot-5, but if the ball goes inside, no one makes players more miserable. On the perimeter, 6-4 freshman guard Chris Jordan is an in-your-face defender whose hands are everywhere.

Who do you not want...

TAKING THE LAST SHOT: If the Bearkats need a last-possession basket, coach Bob Marlin has the luxury of putting five veteran players on the floor capable of hitting the winner. But it's safe to say freshman reserves Marcus Ebow and Chris Jordan have never been called on to deliver under anything close to NCAA Tournament pressure.

AT THE FREE THROW LINE: Though a talented shot-blocker, center Eddy Fobbs is not usually on the floor for offense at the end of close games -- with good reason. He is a 60-percent free-throw shooter.

HANDLING THE BALL: Though Cole is a capable ball handler, it is not his best role. He usually receives the inbounds pass but quickly kicks it to Shannon and runs the floor. If Cole is dribbling across the halfcourt line, the Bearkats are out of synch.

GUARDING THE OPPONENT'S BEST PLAYER: Junior guard Jason Stephenson is a deadly long-range shooter, but his defense can be fatal, too. Marlin usually tries to substitute for Stephenson when the Bearkats are on defense because he struggles defending the perimeter.

COACH'S TENDENCIES

Armed with a deep roster, Marlin is a substituting master, constantly switching offensive and defensive players late in games. The goal is to have Cole, Stephenson and forward Rodrick Winters on offense, Fobbs, Oliphant and forward Felton Freeman on defense. The constant interruptions also allow him to communicate with players.

TEAM'S TENDENCIES

The Bearkats are 5-2 in games decided by five points or less and 1-2 in overtime. The overtime losses were by six and seven points, both on the road in conference play. Twice Sam Houston scored the game-winner in the closing seconds, on a tip-in by center Jay Oliphant at Texas-Arlington and Cole's 3-pointer in the tournament final.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

The Bearkats, who entered Division I competition in 1987, are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance.

FUN FACT

Were it not for ESPN2, the Bearkats might not be making their NCAA Tournament debut. With 4:37 left in the first half of the Southland Conference tournament final against Stephen F. Austin, forward Donald Cole made an outside shot that officials ruled a two-point basket. Coach Bob Marlin was sure it was a three. Because the game was broadcast on ESPN2 -- just the Bearkats' second TV appearance of the season -- officials had access to video replay. Sure enough, Cole's toes were behind the arc. The Bearkats won in overtime on Cole's 3-pointer with 13 seconds left, but his heroics would not have been possible without his first 3-pointer of the game -- that almost wasn't.

FUN FACT II

The little ol' Bearkats handed legendary coach Bobby Knight his first lost at Texas Tech, 69-65, on Nov. 23, 2001, in Lubbock, Texas. It was Knight's fourth game as coach of the Red Raiders.

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