Texas State Bobcats
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #103
Conference Rank: #2 Sun Belt
Texas State did not have high expectations heading into the 2018-2019 campaign, but they ended up winning 24 games, finishing second in the Sun Belt and earning a trip to the CIT. That is what solid defense can do for an often struggling offensive team. Last season the Bobcats found a secondary scoring option in Tre Nottingham. He is one of three starters gone though and Texas State could take a step back offensively.
2018-19 Record: 24-10, 12-6
2018-19 Postseason: CIT
Coach: Danny Kaspar
Coach Record: 98-98 at Texas State, 563-291 overall
Key Departed Players:
Tre Nottingham, Guard, 14.2 ppg
Alex Peacock, Forward, 8.2 ppg
Jaylen Shead, Guard, 7.9 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Nijal Pearson, Senior, Guard, 16.4 ppg
Eric Terry, Senior, Forward, 8.4 ppg
Alonzo Sule, Sophomore, Forward, 6.4 ppg
Mason Harrell, Sophomore, Guard, 3.9 ppg
Quentin Scott, Junior, Forward, 2.9 ppg
Shelby Adams, Junior, Guard, 2.8 ppg
Chandler Davis, Senior, Forward, 2.1 ppg
Marlin Davis, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Key New Players:
Caleb Asberry, Sophomore, Guard, JC Transfer
Ryan Bormann, Freshman, Guard
Clayton Carpenter, Freshman, Forward
DeShawn Davidson, Junior, Guard, JC Transfer
Garrett Shaw, Junior, Guard, JC Transfer
Isiah Small, Junior, Forward, JC Transfer
Micah Terry, Freshman, Guard
Drew Tennial, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
Nijal Pearson has been a superb scorer for Texas State. As a junior last year he led the team with 16.4 points and connected on 38.6 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. The concern lately has been having enough scorers around him. Eric Terry and Alonzo Sule are the interior scoring threats. Sule only played 14.6 minutes per game as a freshman, but was very productive in those minutes, averaging 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds. If he can double his minutes and keep up that production, the Bobcats will have a couple very capable interior scorers. The addition of four junior college transfers will bolster the team’s depth and Texas State would be even better off if Marlin Davis can stay healthy. Davis was a starter back in 2017-2018 before injuries sidelined him for the last season and a half. He may not be the secondary scoring threat the backcourt needs to find, but he is a tough guard with starting experience. As long as some of the less experienced players are ready to do some scoring and Texas State can find a new point guard who can take care of the basketball, Texas State should be able to get back to the postseason.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.6 (167th in nation, 10th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.8 (31, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.4 (171, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.2 (47, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.2 (229, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.8 (257, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.3 (260, 10)
Rebound Margin: 6.1 (21, 1)
Assists Per Game: 14.5 (85, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.4 (224, 5)
