Often times a good showing by a mid-major in a BracketBuster game like this one will help a team get into the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team. Since the 49ers (17-9) have nine losses and no victories over a top 25 opponent, however, it doesn't figure they stand much of a chance of that. That said, this is still a good opportunity for the 49ers to show the nation just how much they have improved since going 4-7 during a tough nonconference schedule without mid-season transfers Keala King and Tony Freeland, both of whom are really coming into their own. Freeland, a junior forward, is averaging 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. King, a junior guard, is averaging 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Scouting the Lumberjacks: Stephen F. Austin is 22-3, having lost just its third game on Feb. 16 to Southeastern Louisiana 54-50. The Lumberjacks are led by Taylor Smith, a 6-foot-6 senior forward averaging 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds with a field goal shooting percentage of 70.7 percent, tops in the nation among Division I players. "He's a load," 49ers coach Dan Monson said. "He gets angles and is shooting 71 percent from the field. We have to limit him as much as possible." Stephen F. Austin averages 65.5 points and allows only 49.7, meaning the Lumberjacks will be trying to slow things down. "They're the best in the country at controlling tempo," Monson said.
Scouting the Lumberjacks: Stephen F. Austin is 22-3, having lost just its third game on Feb. 16 to Southeastern Louisiana 54-50. The Lumberjacks are led by Taylor Smith, a 6-foot-6 senior forward averaging 15.8 points and 8.9 rebounds with a field goal shooting percentage of 70.7 percent, tops in the nation among Division I players. "He's a load," 49ers coach Dan Monson said. "He gets angles and is shooting 71 percent from the field. We have to limit him as much as possible." Stephen F. Austin averages 65.5 points and allows only 49.7, meaning the Lumberjacks will be trying to slow things down. "They're the best in the country at controlling tempo," Monson said.
