Idaho State at Sacramento State
Thursday, 8:05 p.m.
The Nest, Sacramento Calif.
Radio — 930 CBS Sports Radio or Rock 102.5Web — isubengals.com (live stats)
Free live video stream — watchbigsky.com
Records — Idaho State is 7-10 and 4-4 in the Big Sky. Sacramento State is 6-11 overall and 2-6 in the conference.
Series — Idaho State leads 26-15
Last outing — Idaho State beat Montana State 69-64 at home. Sacramento State fell 72-62 to Northern Colorado on the road.
Up next — Idaho State travels to Northern Arizona for a game Saturday.
Probable starters
Sacramento State:
F Zach Mills, 6-5, Jr., 7.1 ppg
F Alex Tiffin, 6-9, Jr., 4.7 ppg
G Cody Demps, 6-4, So., 7.7 ppg
G Dylan Garrity, 6-2, Jr., 13.0 ppg
G Mikh McKinney, 6-1, Jr., 13.6 ppg
Idaho State:
G/F Chris Hansen, 6-4, Jr. 17.4 ppg
F Jeffrey Solarin, 6-4, Jr. 9.6 ppg
C Avibakuro Preh, 6-9, Sr. 2.6 ppg
G Andre Hatchett, 6-4, Sr. 14.7 ppg
G Tomas Sanchez, 6-3, Sr. 14.8 ppg
Game notes: Idaho State, Sacramento State
Check out the Sacramento Bee's preview of the game here (just scroll down a bit in the article.
The Journal's preview of ISU vs Sac focuses on how the Bengals want to develop their depth.
Just found this preview for Sac State and ISU from The State Hornet. It's worth a read. Sac State has a 2-6 Big Sky record but a majority of the Hornets' conference games have been on the road.
Here's a quick Q&A with questions submitted to kfranko@journalnet.com
Do you think that A) other teams have started to figure out our three-headed monster of Hatchett, Hansen and Sanchez?
Yes and no. Idaho State scored lots of points at home against Portland State and Eastern Washington, two of the most porous defensive teams in the Big Sky to start the conference season.
Since then, the Bengals have run into teams like Weber State and Northern Colorado, squads who have ... 1) Done what you're hinting at, adjusted to ISU. Teams have done a much better job of limiting the Bengals' points in transition. They're forcing Idaho State to execute in the half court.
2) They've figured out Idaho State has no depth behind point guard Tomas Sanchez (and I mean none). Opposing defenses are making Sanchez work on defense and they're constantly pressing in the full court. Not to force turnovers, just to wear Sanchez down.
B) (Are) the guys are just sorta wearing down a little playing such a thin rotation?
Yes, they're wearing down and head coach Bill Evans is aware (and wary) of it. He wants to play more of his bench and he did against Montana State. Whether he'll have the confidence in guys like freshmen Scotty Tyler and Justin Smith on the road at Sacramento State (tonight) and Northern Arizona (Saturday) is the question.
C) Has Coach mentioned anything at all about changing up his strategy from earlier in the year?
No. He wants to play fast and score quickly after missed buckets. It's just difficult to do against good defensive squads like Weber State.
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