Talk about your big-time turnarounds.
Two years ago, the Jacksonville State basketball team was among the worst in the country when it came to shooting free throws. The Gamecocks were 338 out of 341 teams in Division I. Only Wagner, Winthrop and Washington were worse.
After Tuesday night's game at Ole Miss -- where they went 11-for-11 from the line in the first half and 19-of-21 in the game -- they are among this season's best -- 13th.
JSU coach James Green suggested two reasons for the turnaround Wednesday -- recruit players who are better free throw shooters and emphasize the skill.
"I think we work on it and we try to put a little bit of pressure on guys and we constantly talk about the importance of it," Green said. "That's kind of been a deal this year where our guys understand that and our concentration level is higher. I'm really excited about that."
We'll take a look at the turnaround later this week when we preview the Gamecocks' weekend road trip to Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri. Check it out.
But for now, here's the year-by-year listing of JSU's national ranking in free throw shooting since the program went full-fledged Division I as a member of the TransAmerica Athletic Conference (remember them?):
YEAR PCT. RANK
2009-10 .765 13
2008-09 .653 T276 (with Toledo)
2007-08 .600 338
2006-07 .673 T219 (Milwaukee, Alcorn State)
2005-06 .696 T147 (Oregon St., Bucknell, St. Louis)
2004-05 .721 68
2003-04 .656 T254 (Long Island, Alabama State, Army)
2002-03 .676 T228 (SE Louisiana, Santa Clara, Binghamton)
2001-02 .681 T194 (Houston, Dayton, W. Virgina)
2000-01 .654 T252 (Milwaukee, Va. Tech, Ole Miss)
1999-00 .664 T218 (Stephen F. Austin, Winthrop, Cornell, Ga. State)
1998-99 .640 T264 (Stephen F. Austin)
1997-98 .700 T79 (Liberty, UMass, Missouri)
1996-97 .656 T209 (Iowa State, UIC, William & Mary, Buffalo)
1995-96 .721 NA
It should be noted that a good percentage at the free throw line doesn't guarantee a winning season. In the three years the Gamecocks shot .700 or better -- 2004-05, 1997-98 and 1995-96 -- they went 7-22, 12-14 and 10-17, respectively, while in their best Division I season -- 20-10 in 2002-03 -- they were .676 at the line.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Perrilloux's NFL dream on track
Things seem to be moving along well for JSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux.
He recently accepted an invitation to play in the Feb. 6 Texas vs. The Nation all-star game in El Paso, Texas, and he's within days of signing with sports agent Bus Cook.
His only setback since the season ended was undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. "Nothing serious," he said. He has recovered from it and will start his training regimen for the next level in Hattiesburg, Miss. -- Cook's home base -- starting Jan. 2.
Cook, by the way, is the agent for Brett Favre and Jay Cutler, the two quarterbacks in Monday night's Vikings-Bears shootout.
Check Wednesday morning's Star for more insights from Perrilloux, who celebrates his 23rd birthday on New Year's Day.
He recently accepted an invitation to play in the Feb. 6 Texas vs. The Nation all-star game in El Paso, Texas, and he's within days of signing with sports agent Bus Cook.
His only setback since the season ended was undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. "Nothing serious," he said. He has recovered from it and will start his training regimen for the next level in Hattiesburg, Miss. -- Cook's home base -- starting Jan. 2.
Cook, by the way, is the agent for Brett Favre and Jay Cutler, the two quarterbacks in Monday night's Vikings-Bears shootout.
Check Wednesday morning's Star for more insights from Perrilloux, who celebrates his 23rd birthday on New Year's Day.
Monday, December 21, 2009
JSU 16th in final TSN poll
As the highest ranked team not in the FCS playoffs, Jacksonville State thought it might have a chance to crack the top 10 when all the shouting was through.
It didn't happen. The Gamecocks pulled down a No. 16 ranking in the final Sports Network media poll that came out Monday.
Villanova, the national champions, was No. 1, of course, receiving all 101 first-place votes in the balloting. The Wildcats were No. 2 in the final regular season poll.
National runnerup Montana was second.
National semifinalists Appalachian State and William & Mary were third and fourth, respectively.
Richmond (11-2), the 2008 national champion, was fifth, followed by Southern Illinois, New Hampshire, South Carolina State, Elon and Stephen F. Austin.
Coming in at No. 11 was South Dakota State, followed by McNeese State, Eastern Washington, Holy Cross, Prairie View, JSU (8-3 with nowhere to go), Weber State, Northern Iowa, OVC playoff rep Eastern Illinois and Penn.
It didn't happen. The Gamecocks pulled down a No. 16 ranking in the final Sports Network media poll that came out Monday.
Villanova, the national champions, was No. 1, of course, receiving all 101 first-place votes in the balloting. The Wildcats were No. 2 in the final regular season poll.
National runnerup Montana was second.
National semifinalists Appalachian State and William & Mary were third and fourth, respectively.
Richmond (11-2), the 2008 national champion, was fifth, followed by Southern Illinois, New Hampshire, South Carolina State, Elon and Stephen F. Austin.
Coming in at No. 11 was South Dakota State, followed by McNeese State, Eastern Washington, Holy Cross, Prairie View, JSU (8-3 with nowhere to go), Weber State, Northern Iowa, OVC playoff rep Eastern Illinois and Penn.
Friday, December 18, 2009
All-Decade Basketball Team
As promised, here's one man's take on JSU's All-Decade Basketball Team. With fewer spots than the football team and so many players to consider, this one could create the most debate of any, but the criteria is pretty much the same as the football -- stats, impact and postseason recognition. That's partly the reason I picked 10 guys, to take some of the pressure off a starting five.
Omar Barlett
DeAndre Bray
Courtney Bradley
Will Ginn
Brant Harriman
Jay Heard
Mike McDaniel
Poonie Richardson
Walker D. Russell
Scott Watson
As they say on TV, "Your thoughts?"
Omar Barlett
DeAndre Bray
Courtney Bradley
Will Ginn
Brant Harriman
Jay Heard
Mike McDaniel
Poonie Richardson
Walker D. Russell
Scott Watson
As they say on TV, "Your thoughts?"
Thursday, December 17, 2009
All-Decade Football Team
Around the office they've been toying with an idea for an on-line reader poll to determine the Player of the Decade for the three universities and all the high schools The Star covers, and it got me thinking:
I've been around here covering Jacksonville State for at least that long, let's do an All-Decade Team.
Here's the one for football (basketball will come tomorrow). A couple of spots could be open for debate -- these kinds of things often are -- but this is one man's idea based on stats, impact and postseason awards.
Let me know how this stacks up with your team. If this doesn't get some replies, nobody's watching.
JSU All-Decade Football (2000-2009)
Offense
QB - Ryan Perrilloux
RB -- Rondy Rogers, Clay Green
WR -- Maurice Dupree, Taurean Rhetta
TE -- Keller Speaks
OL -- Jeremy Sullivan, Deon White, John Pettus, Rod Olds, Keith Gergel
Defense
DL -- Brandt Thomas, Mark Tibbs, Greg Green
LB -- Alexander Henderson, Lemarcus Rowell, Jonathan Crutcher, Devin Phillips
CB -- T.J. Heath, Delvin Hughley
S -- Josh Cain, Carnell Clark
Specialists
P - Richie Rhodes
K - Gavin Hallford
RS - Craig Agee
I ran it past Gamecocks coach Jack Crowe, who's been here the whole decade, and he said he could do something with that kind of lineup.
"That's a salty bunch of football players, that's what that is," he said. "You wouldn't have to practice four days a week with that crowd.
"One thing in common with those guys is they all loved the game. They'd play in the street at midnight."
I've been around here covering Jacksonville State for at least that long, let's do an All-Decade Team.
Here's the one for football (basketball will come tomorrow). A couple of spots could be open for debate -- these kinds of things often are -- but this is one man's idea based on stats, impact and postseason awards.
Let me know how this stacks up with your team. If this doesn't get some replies, nobody's watching.
JSU All-Decade Football (2000-2009)
Offense
QB - Ryan Perrilloux
RB -- Rondy Rogers, Clay Green
WR -- Maurice Dupree, Taurean Rhetta
TE -- Keller Speaks
OL -- Jeremy Sullivan, Deon White, John Pettus, Rod Olds, Keith Gergel
Defense
DL -- Brandt Thomas, Mark Tibbs, Greg Green
LB -- Alexander Henderson, Lemarcus Rowell, Jonathan Crutcher, Devin Phillips
CB -- T.J. Heath, Delvin Hughley
S -- Josh Cain, Carnell Clark
Specialists
P - Richie Rhodes
K - Gavin Hallford
RS - Craig Agee
I ran it past Gamecocks coach Jack Crowe, who's been here the whole decade, and he said he could do something with that kind of lineup.
"That's a salty bunch of football players, that's what that is," he said. "You wouldn't have to practice four days a week with that crowd.
"One thing in common with those guys is they all loved the game. They'd play in the street at midnight."
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
JSU baseball schedule
While Jacksonville State announced its 2010 football schedule earlier in the week, the 2010 baseball schedule -- the one the Gamecocks play this season -- is still a work in progress.
There apparently is a holdup on a date with Kennesaw State.
Here are some things that are certain.
The Ohio Valley Conference games are set -- among them Tennessee Tech (April 2-3), Murray State (April 10-11), SE Missouri (April 24-25), Eastern Illinois (home May 8-9), at UT Martin (March 27-28), at Austin Peay (April 17-18), at Eastern Kentucky (May 15-16), at Morehead State (May 21-22). The OVC Tournament is set for Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.
The Gamecocks also will play ...
Michigan on Feb. 19 and 20 in the Texas Tech Tournament, according to Michigan's schedule ...
Auburn -- for the first time since 1994 -- on the Plains May 18 at 6:30 p.m ...
Home-and-home series with Samford (at JSU March 10, at Samford March 16) and Troy (at JSU March 2, at Troy March 23 and ...
A three-game home series with Middle Tennessee home March 5-7.
There apparently is a holdup on a date with Kennesaw State.
Here are some things that are certain.
The Ohio Valley Conference games are set -- among them Tennessee Tech (April 2-3), Murray State (April 10-11), SE Missouri (April 24-25), Eastern Illinois (home May 8-9), at UT Martin (March 27-28), at Austin Peay (April 17-18), at Eastern Kentucky (May 15-16), at Morehead State (May 21-22). The OVC Tournament is set for Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.
The Gamecocks also will play ...
Michigan on Feb. 19 and 20 in the Texas Tech Tournament, according to Michigan's schedule ...
Auburn -- for the first time since 1994 -- on the Plains May 18 at 6:30 p.m ...
Home-and-home series with Samford (at JSU March 10, at Samford March 16) and Troy (at JSU March 2, at Troy March 23 and ...
A three-game home series with Middle Tennessee home March 5-7.
JSU's Heath makes All-America squad
Jacksonville State junior cornerback T.J. Heath was picked to the second team of the FCS All-American Team announced by The Associated Press Wednesday.
Heath was among the national leaders in interceptions with six and returned two of the three picks he had against UT-Martin for touchdowns. He also had 34 tackles and 10 break-ups.
He was the only JSU player on any of the three teams.
Here's the complete team
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Armanti Edwards, senior, 6-foot, 185 pounds, Appalachian State.
Running backs — Deji Karim, senior, 5-11, 205, Southern Illinois; Pat Paschall, senior, 6-0, 198, North Dakota State.
Linemen — Derek Hardman, senior, 6-6, 300, Eastern Kentucky; Matt McCraken, senior, 6-3, 300, Richmond; Vladimir Ducasse, senior, 6-5, 330, Massachusetts; Jeff Hansen, senior, 6-4, 292, Montana State; Kyle Mutcher, senior, 6-3, 300, Weber State.
Tight end — Clay Harbor, senior, 6-4, 243, Missouri State.
Wide receivers — Terrell Hudgins, senior, 6-2, 235, Elon; Marc Mariani, senior, 6-0, 185, Montana.
All-purpose player — Matt Szczur, junior, 5-11, 195, Villanova.
Kicker — Matt Bevins, sophomore, 6-2, 185, Liberty.
Defense
Linemen — James Ruffin, senior, 6-4, 265, Northern Iowa; Arthur Moats, senior, 6-2, 250, James Madison; Austen Lane, senior, 6-6, 250, Murray State; Dane Fletcher, senior, 6-2, 242, Montana State.
Linebackers — Brandin Jordan, senior, 5-11, 230, Southern Illinois; J.C. Sherritt, junior, 5-10, 220, Eastern Washington; Mike Morales, senior, 6-0, 230, UC Davis.
Backs — Terrell Whitehead, senior, 6-2, 200, Norfolk State; Mark Legree, junior, 6-0, 200, Appalachian State; Jeromy Miles, senior, 6-2, 215, Massachusetts; Josh Morris, senior, 6-0, 180, Weber State.
Punter — Jonathan Plisco, freshman, 6-0, 200, Old Dominion.
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Dominic Randolph, senior, Holy Cross.
Running backs — Chase Reynolds, junior, Montana; Toddrick Pendland, senior, McNeese State.
Linemen — Benjamin Ijalana, junior, Villanova; Mario Acitelli, senior, Appalachian State; Johnny Culbreath, junior, South Carolina State; James Williams, senior, Harvard; Austin Steichen, senior, Northern Iowa.
Tight end — Scott Sicko, senior, New Hampshire.
Wide receivers — Tysson Poots, junior, Southern Utah; Buddy Farnham, senior, Brown.
All-purpose player — LeRoy Vann, senior, Florida A&M.
Kicker — Craig Camay, senior, Chattanooga.
Defense
Linemen — Danny Batten, senior, South Dakota State; Tim Knicky, senior, Stephen F. Austin; Adrian Tracy, senior, William & Mary; Larry Hart, senior, Central Arkansas.
Linebackers — Matt Cohen, senior, Lehigh; Tyler Santucci, senior, Stony Brook; George Howard, senior, Morgan State.
Backs — Charles Graves, senior, Delaware; Jason House, junior, Southern; Patrick Stoudamire, senior, Western Illinois; T.J. Heath, junior, Jacksonville State.
Punter — Jon Vanderwielen, senior, Idaho State.
THIRD TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Matt Nichols, senior, Eastern Washington.
Running backs — James Mallory, senior, Central Connecticut; Kyle Minett, junior, South Dakota State.
Linemen — Dorian Brooks, senior, James Madison; Will Rackley, senior, Lehigh; Levi Horn, senior, Montana; Joe Gibbs, senior, Tennessee-Martin; Austin Howard, senior, Northern Iowa.
Tight end — John Sheffield, senior, Yale.
Wide receivers — Jason Caldwell, senior, Fordham; Juamorris Stewart, senior, Southern.
All-purpose player — Taiwan Jones, sophomore, Eastern Washington.
Kicker — Zach Kutch, senior, Illinois State.
Defense
Linemen — Christian Anthony, senior, Grambling State; Tim Kukucka, senior, Villanova; Josh Beard, senior, Chattanooga; Mychal Savage, senior, Youngstown State.
Linebackers — Wes McDermott, sophomore, Morehead State; Jake Lewko, senior, Penn; Jacque Roman, senior, Appalachian State.
Backs — Anthony Beck, senior, Prairie View A&M; Justin Rogers, junior, Richmond; Korey Lindsey, junior, Southern Illinois; Josh Norman, sophomore, Coastal Carolina.
Punter — Jahmal Blanchard, senior, Hampton.
Heath was among the national leaders in interceptions with six and returned two of the three picks he had against UT-Martin for touchdowns. He also had 34 tackles and 10 break-ups.
He was the only JSU player on any of the three teams.
Here's the complete team
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Armanti Edwards, senior, 6-foot, 185 pounds, Appalachian State.
Running backs — Deji Karim, senior, 5-11, 205, Southern Illinois; Pat Paschall, senior, 6-0, 198, North Dakota State.
Linemen — Derek Hardman, senior, 6-6, 300, Eastern Kentucky; Matt McCraken, senior, 6-3, 300, Richmond; Vladimir Ducasse, senior, 6-5, 330, Massachusetts; Jeff Hansen, senior, 6-4, 292, Montana State; Kyle Mutcher, senior, 6-3, 300, Weber State.
Tight end — Clay Harbor, senior, 6-4, 243, Missouri State.
Wide receivers — Terrell Hudgins, senior, 6-2, 235, Elon; Marc Mariani, senior, 6-0, 185, Montana.
All-purpose player — Matt Szczur, junior, 5-11, 195, Villanova.
Kicker — Matt Bevins, sophomore, 6-2, 185, Liberty.
Defense
Linemen — James Ruffin, senior, 6-4, 265, Northern Iowa; Arthur Moats, senior, 6-2, 250, James Madison; Austen Lane, senior, 6-6, 250, Murray State; Dane Fletcher, senior, 6-2, 242, Montana State.
Linebackers — Brandin Jordan, senior, 5-11, 230, Southern Illinois; J.C. Sherritt, junior, 5-10, 220, Eastern Washington; Mike Morales, senior, 6-0, 230, UC Davis.
Backs — Terrell Whitehead, senior, 6-2, 200, Norfolk State; Mark Legree, junior, 6-0, 200, Appalachian State; Jeromy Miles, senior, 6-2, 215, Massachusetts; Josh Morris, senior, 6-0, 180, Weber State.
Punter — Jonathan Plisco, freshman, 6-0, 200, Old Dominion.
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Dominic Randolph, senior, Holy Cross.
Running backs — Chase Reynolds, junior, Montana; Toddrick Pendland, senior, McNeese State.
Linemen — Benjamin Ijalana, junior, Villanova; Mario Acitelli, senior, Appalachian State; Johnny Culbreath, junior, South Carolina State; James Williams, senior, Harvard; Austin Steichen, senior, Northern Iowa.
Tight end — Scott Sicko, senior, New Hampshire.
Wide receivers — Tysson Poots, junior, Southern Utah; Buddy Farnham, senior, Brown.
All-purpose player — LeRoy Vann, senior, Florida A&M.
Kicker — Craig Camay, senior, Chattanooga.
Defense
Linemen — Danny Batten, senior, South Dakota State; Tim Knicky, senior, Stephen F. Austin; Adrian Tracy, senior, William & Mary; Larry Hart, senior, Central Arkansas.
Linebackers — Matt Cohen, senior, Lehigh; Tyler Santucci, senior, Stony Brook; George Howard, senior, Morgan State.
Backs — Charles Graves, senior, Delaware; Jason House, junior, Southern; Patrick Stoudamire, senior, Western Illinois; T.J. Heath, junior, Jacksonville State.
Punter — Jon Vanderwielen, senior, Idaho State.
THIRD TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Matt Nichols, senior, Eastern Washington.
Running backs — James Mallory, senior, Central Connecticut; Kyle Minett, junior, South Dakota State.
Linemen — Dorian Brooks, senior, James Madison; Will Rackley, senior, Lehigh; Levi Horn, senior, Montana; Joe Gibbs, senior, Tennessee-Martin; Austin Howard, senior, Northern Iowa.
Tight end — John Sheffield, senior, Yale.
Wide receivers — Jason Caldwell, senior, Fordham; Juamorris Stewart, senior, Southern.
All-purpose player — Taiwan Jones, sophomore, Eastern Washington.
Kicker — Zach Kutch, senior, Illinois State.
Defense
Linemen — Christian Anthony, senior, Grambling State; Tim Kukucka, senior, Villanova; Josh Beard, senior, Chattanooga; Mychal Savage, senior, Youngstown State.
Linebackers — Wes McDermott, sophomore, Morehead State; Jake Lewko, senior, Penn; Jacque Roman, senior, Appalachian State.
Backs — Anthony Beck, senior, Prairie View A&M; Justin Rogers, junior, Richmond; Korey Lindsey, junior, Southern Illinois; Josh Norman, sophomore, Coastal Carolina.
Punter — Jahmal Blanchard, senior, Hampton.
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