ASHLAND– Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne.
For the Southern Oregon University Raiders, they hope not to forget the start of their season nor the name’s that got them there.
At 11-3, and with two games left in 2012, Southern Oregon (11-3, 4-0 Cascade Collegiate Conference) are atop of CCC-standings by two games over Eastern Oregon University.
“It would help us sleep better during break!” said SOU Men’s head coach Brian McDermott laughingly, “These are two road games that we feel are gettable, and any road wins in this league are golden.”
The 12th-ranked Raiders are heading north this weekend in hopes to end 2012 the way it started for them, on top.
Friday night will be the Raiders first challenge, facing the Cavaliers of Concordia.
The Cavaliers are sitting in the cellar of the conference at 3-6 and winless in conference, but they are strong on the defensive front however by creating blocks, out rebounding opponents and having a stingy field goal percentage against opponents.
In all three catorgories, Concordia is no lower than 16th in the nation and are led by center’s Justyn Searle 2.33 blocks a game, and forward Adam Hermann’s 25.7 points a game and 11.67 rebounds a game.
“[We] try to do the things we are good at, get some easy ones in transition; get some 1/2 court baskets at the rim; get some looks from three from the right people.” said McDermott.
The key to beat Concordia for Southern Oregon will be the half-court philosphy. The Raiders are shooting 49 percent on their field goals this season, averaging 15 assist a game and outrebounding opponents two to one.
The Defensive key to victory must also follow this half-court idea and put pressure on Concordia. The half-court defense will force opponents to the outside of the arc and shoot the three. The Cavaliers are good with ball movement but are horrible with the three-pointers connecting on 26 percent of them compare to 41 percent from the rest of the field.
On Saturday, the Raiders will stay in Portland to take on the 9-4, middle-of-the-pack Knights of Warner Pacific.
The key to victory against the Knights is ball control. They are 16th in nation in steals and have 121 steals through 13 games.
“Take care of the ball,” said McDermott on the gameplan for Warner Pacific, “space the floor and make a few shots. Taking care of the ball wil be the most important part of the Warner Pac game.”
The second key to victory must be shot chart smarts. Warner Pacific is one of the best against the three pointers by allowing 29 percent of three’s to happen and are up there in preventing field goals at 40 percent.
This goes back to good ball control, ball movement, Southern Oregon can’t afford to chuck up a bad shot because of how good the Knights are on putting pressure on opponents.
As the year comes to a end, the Raiders are looking to keep their momentum and streak going on the road this weekend.
As Coach McDermott has said,
“Playing on the road is like playing with house money, nothing to lose and a lot to gain.”
JMcDonaldMedia 
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