Nicholls men’s basketball team takes on Blue Mountain Christian in home debut

The Nicholls men’s basketball team goes into its home opener Tuesday against Blue Mountain Christian after going 1-2 in the Jaguar Classic in Mobile, Ala.

Nicholls lost to Denver 91-85, and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville 60-51, while defeating host South Alabama 102-97.

Of more significance than the record was perhaps the variety of scenarios the Colonels faced during the tournament, according to coach Tevon Saddler.

Among the experiences was playing in a tournament setting in which the Colonels played three games in three days.

“It gives us game experience for March,” Saddler said. “I thought the guys competed at a high level. I thought it also helped us as a staff just understanding the grind it’s going to take in March to get to do what we gotta do.

“The ultimate goal is the NCAA tournament. In our Southland Conference tournament, you have to win two games, maybe three games, maybe four games.”

What type of lesson did the Colonels learn from the experience?

“Every possession matters. When you talk about winning 120 minutes in three days, every possession matters,” said Saddler.

A new experience for the Colonels experienced in the tournament was having to play from behind. In previous games, Nicholls saw big leads disappear.

“Versus Denver, we blew another 18-point lead and so just getting those guys to understand when you get up by that amount, you can’t take your foot off the gas and basketball was a game of runs,” Saddler said. “I was pretty excited, I remember being down six with about eight minutes or being down eight with six minutes left in the game versus South Alabama and I told the guys like, ‘hey, we’re finally behind and finally feels good that we’re hunting someone.

At the end of the day, this early success just shows that you know how to win.”

The Colonels also experienced having to play more than 40 minutes. In Nicholls’ win over South Alabama, the Colonels had to play three overtime periods.

“I think just being able to play overtime just helps the guys handle adversity. The game kind of slows down. We didn’t have any panic, and I think that’s just going to translate to later in the season. That’s probably my favorite part, just getting game experience and game reps and allowing those guys to do it together,” said Saddler.

Nicholls (2-3) will host Blue Mountain Christian, a NAIA school, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Stopher Gym. The game comes in the middle of Thanksgiving break at Nicholls.

“I don’t know how the crowd would be, but I’m excited to do it at home. I’m excited just to get back home. All the work the guys are putting in in the gym just to be able to play someone else. I don’t know how the crowd would be. I hope the people come out and support my guys. They work so hard, but no matter who’s there, we have a goal to go undefeated at home, so Tuesday starts that fight,” Saddler said.

Blue Mountain is 4-4 on the season. The Toppers are coming off a narrow 78-76 loss to Life University in which featured a 26-point performance by Blue Mountain’s Vincent Douglas.

On Friday, the Colonels travel to Starkville, Miss., to take on Mississippi State. Nicholls already has a SEC win on its resume this season with a 68-66 win over LSU.

The Bulldogs are 5-0 on the season and coming off a 66-57 win over Northwestern in the finals of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off on Sunday.

Mississippi State is a team of balanced scorers, with six players averaging at least eight points per game.

The Bulldogs feature three double-figure scorers. Josh Hubbard is averaging 13.3 points per game, while Jimmy Bell Jr. is averaging 11.3, and Trey Fort 10.8. Bell is the team’s leading rebounder, pulling down 10.8 rebounds per outing.

“I think Chris Jans does a hell of a job out there,” said Saddler, referring to the Mississippi State coach. “He always has, even back at New Mexico State. I heard a lot of good things about Chris Jans. There’s a couple of guys who are good buddies of mine who works with Chris, so I’m excited to go play those guys and just be able to see family and compete at a high level.”

Four days following the Mississippi State game, the Colonels play at Baylor of the Big XII.

“Playing Mississippi State and playing Baylor, it’s two elite programs with two elite coaches,” said Saddler. “I think Scott Drew is one of the best coaches in the country.

“Just as a young dude being able to go up against some legends and just learn – and I tell people all the time – playing those games, they don’t scare me at all. I honestly like my guys. My guys are confident, they’re resilient. They actually do the work. I’m excited to go to Starkville. I’m excited to go to Waco. Let’s roll the dice and see where they land.”

Baylor is 4-0 on the season. The Bears’ victories have come over the likes of Auburn, John Brown, Gardner-Webb, and Kansas City.

Ja’Kobe Walter paces Baylor in scoring, averaging 18 points per game. Jayden Nunn is averaging 14.8 points per game, Ray Dennis 12.8, and Langston Love 11.8. Josh Ojianwuna leads the team in rebounding, averaging 6.0 boards per outing.

Saddler said he is pleased with his Colonels through the early part of the season.

“I like us. I liked us before the season. I still like us a lot,” the first-year Nicholls coach said. “I think we have a chance to be really, really special. We’ve got to keep growing. The season’s early.

“We can’t beat ourselves, but overall, I’m pretty happy where we are as a group. I know we got so much more work to do, so that keeps me up at night. But where we currently stand, I’ll take it. I’m not really into moral victories. I thought we lost a couple games that we should have won, but that’s why we practice, why we watch film, and we get in the gym. I’m pretty happy with where we are now.”