JCSU and St. Aug Look To Keep Momentum Against VSU and Shaw

Lamar Kearse and Virginia State won their only matchup against Johnson C. Smith this season. (VSU photo)

#5 Johnson C. Smith vs. #4 Virginia State

This is a wildcard game, as you never know what you are going to get with either team. Virginia State started out quickly this season, going 7-1 in its first eight games. Since then, the Trojans have gone 7-11, including a six-game streak from December to early January.

Johnson C. Smith also started the season hot, going 10-2 over the first half of the season. They finished the season 6-8, beating the top two teams in both conferences, but losing to teams on the lower end of the spectrum.

So a big congratulations to both JCSU teams FIGHTING 💛🏀💙 ! Y’all deserved these W’s and I’ll be watching the rest of the week. 🐂 Zoo it
– ⚠️ (@_cuckoo4KUNTZ) February 26, 2014

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Virginia State won the only regular season matchup between the teams, picking up a 67-57 win in mid-January. That game was played on VSU’s home court, however, and this one will be played in JCSU’s back yard.

Johnson C. Smith overall has the more talented team and should win, but as we’ve seen in the past, that doesn’t always mean it will. JCSU’s conditioning will also be something to watch as it has played four times since last Monday due to makeup games and the extra-period against Winston-Salem State on Friday.

Amere May scored 35 points for St. Aug on Tuesday night. (The Falcon Forum photo)

#6 St. Aug vs. #4 Shaw

St. Aug’s win over Chowan means it will get to face it’s crosstown rival for the third time this season. The two teams split the season series, with each team winning on its home court.

St Aug vs Shaw Again The Rivalry Never Stops!! #SAU
– Gone 2 The Money (@Dre_Montana8732) February 26, 2014

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Shaw has won just ten games all season, but three of them have come in their last four games. This is despite losing Curtis Hines, who was leading the conference in scoring when he was declared ineligible.

St. Aug has struggled in Feburary, losing its last eight games of the regular season before winning on Tuesday night. They may not have been able to sneak past Chowan if not for a monster 37 point, nine rebound performance by Amere May.

St. Aug may need another big game like that from May to keep playing.