KINGSVILLE, Texas – After playing only one game over the last three weeks, the Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team is prepared to pop the cork on the 2019 portion of their schedule. A stretch of seven home games in their next nine tilts begins on Saturday at the Steinke Physical Education Center against the Angelo State Rams in Kingsville, Texas. The Lone Star Conference matchup is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
The Javelinas (4-6, 0-2) are no doubt anxious for the opportunity to get back to business after suffering a defeat at the hands of St. Mary's in their final game before the holiday break. For just the third time all season, TAMUK was outrebounded, as the Rattlers totaled 45 rebounds compared to 32 for TAMUK.
"We can be better," said coach Johnny Estelle. "We're working on some things to make us a better contender in the Lone Star Conference, which is shooting the ball more consistently, hitting free throws and not turning the ball over as much. We've worked really hard and been diligent since we've been back on the things we need to correct."
Junior John Mouton (Missouri City, Texas) was one of the bright spots in the Javelinas' most recent outing. The Missouri City native matched his season-high in points, with 16, and rebounds, with six. Mouton, who has come off the bench in every game this season, has reach double figures in both games in which he's registered 20 minutes of floor time.
Mouton is part of a diverse offensive attack that includes eight players who are averaging better than five points per game. Junior Chauncey Thomas (Plano, Texas) sits atop the team leaderboard in scoring with a mark of 8.2 points per game and he's reached double figures in scoring four times in his last six games. Senior Alex Mills (Laurens, S.C.) has found a rhythm of late, averaging 10.8 ppg over the team's last five contests.
The Hogs have continued to be a nightmare for opposing offenses this year and they've allowed the opposition to top 75 points just twice, including once in an overtime contest. The Javelinas still maintain possession of the top spots in the Lone Star Conference in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense and blocks per game.
Saturday's clash will also be the first of the new year for the Rams (8-3, 1-1) and they're looking to build on the momentum of a 3-1 December. The month included a road victory over a Tarleton team that's currently receiving votes nationally and against St Mary's, who ASU throttled by 26. While Angelo State suffered a loss in their last regular season contest against Le Moyne College on Dec. 19th, they flexed their muscle in a Monday exhibition with Dallas Christian College, cruising to a 115-54 laugher.
"No. 1, you have to make sure you have a great defensive effort [against Angelo State]," said Estelle. "I think guarding is one thing we've done well and guard consistently. Secondly, we have to make sure we're getting good shots. I think we've been getting good shots, but you've got to start putting them down, because no matter what you do defensively, you still have to score points to win."
Fueling ASU's success has been the top rebounding tandem in the LSC. Junior guard Ronald Bell's average of 7.1 rebounds per game has him fifth in the league and he's pocketed three double-doubles so far this season. Just one spot behind Bell on the rebounding leaderboard is fellow teammate Josh Boutte. His average of 6.5 boards per night includes a 19-point, 16-rebound performance on Nov. 10th at UC-Colorado Springs.
Senior Daron Mims has established himself as Angelo State's top scorer, scoring at a rate of 13.3 points per game. One of six seniors on the roster, Mims is the only player who's started every game during the 2018-19 campaign and his year has included a pair of 20-point games highlighted by scoring 28 points against Adams State on Nov. 24th. Mims has logged at least 10 points eight times in 11 competitions during the current season.
"They're a talented group, they're well coached," said Estelle. "They're probably one of the most talented groups we've played. We'll have our work cut out for us."
Last year's meetings between these two programs was a perfect metaphor for the all-time series. TAMUK took the first matchup at home, winning by seven, before ASU evened the score on their home court with an eight-point triumph. That allowed the Rams to keep a thin edge in all-time ledger at 56-54. Angelo State used a seven-game winning streak against the Javelinas from 2014-16 to take the lead in rivalry. The Javs will be looking to set themselves up for the chance to sweep the season series for the first time since 2011-12.
Coverage of Saturday's contest will include live video and live stats and links to both can be found on Javelinaathletics.com, where a postgame recap will also be published. To keep up with Javelina men's basketball all year long, follow @JavelinaMBB on Twitter and @JavelinaSports on Instagram, like JavelinaMBB on Facebook and visit Javelinaathletics.com.
