NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) -
The SFA basketball team has a 16-1 record and after Duke's loss Wednesday night the 'jacks are just 1 of 5 teams in the country with 1 loss. SFA's best in the nation defense is helping them gain national attention, while locally momentum is growing around campus as more fans are filling the seats of Johnson Coliseum.
SFA had crowds of 2811 and 3112 last week, their two biggest of the season. Support is something the team says they welcome with open arms.
"It feels good that everyone knows about us and everyone is talking about us," said senior point guard Hal Bateman. "Coming to the games and coming out the tunnel to a few thousand fans instead of just a few hundred, it always makes you play a little bit better and gets you up for games."
The 'jacks are ranked 10th in the latest top-25 mid-major poll, and even received votes in the latest national coaches poll. Coach Danny Kaspar is happy to see his team finally get some recognition and support.
"It is nice to have the attention that we are now getting," said Kaspar. "We will take it any way we can get it. Certainly the fans coming out and cheering us on helps us. They make the home court advantage even more so than it normally would be."
The SFA Alumni Association is jumping on board for both SFA basketball teams, and trying to give them an advantage on the road as well this weekend. They will be providing a fan bus from Nacogdoches to Natchitoches Louisiana for the men's and women's rivalry games against Northwestern State. The busses leave at 9:15 am. on Saturday and cost $35 per person.
Both teams are protecting win streaks. The Ladyjacks are looking for their 3rd win in a row, while the 'jacks are trying to extend their already impressive 11-game win streak.
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