The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

February 7, 2008

Cougars unanimous NAIA No. 1

By Dave Morrison

For the second consecutive week, Mountain State University (23-0) was a unanimous choice as the top team in NAIA Division I.

And with two road games on the horizon, Cougars coach Bob Bolen couldn’t be happier.

“We like having that big red ‘X’ on our chests,” Bolen said. “It’s exciting to go on the road that way. The crowd at Voorhees (last Saturday, a 92-85 MSU win) was very anti-MSU. And we expect the same this weekend.”

The Cougars travel to Morris (S.C) Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest before heading to Kentucky Tuesday to face Lindsey Wilson at 7 p.m.

After that stretch, Mountain State has three straight home games, including the much-anticipated battle with No. 3 and currently undefeated Lee Saturday, Feb. 23, in the home finale.

MSU, Georgetown (24-0) and Lee (21-0) are the only unbeatens remaining in the NAIA.

Over the last 10 years, no team has finished perfect in NAIA.

Bolen has a theory about why it’s so tough to finish perfect.

“Over the course of the season, you’re going to be involved in some tight games,” Bolen said. “And the NAIA tournament, you have to play five games in six days. I think that hurts a lot of teams. Over the last eight years, there have been some teams enter the tournament undefeated. It’s difficult in all sports to go undefeated.”

Bolen pointed out the year his team won the title, it faced Wayland Baptist, the No. 32 seed, in the first round, and that game was tied with eight minutes left.

“In the NAIA tournament, the 32 teams are pretty even,” Bolen said.

MSU heads to Morris after a convincing 83-49 win over Southern Wesleyan.

Starter and leading scorer James Spencer didn’t play in the game and Tyrice Watkins and Jarvis Jackson didn’t start.

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