No. 7 Richard Bland Plays No. 15 Southern Maryland on Thursday
2017-18 NJCAA Division II
Men's Basketball Championship
Tournament Bracket (PDF)
The Progress-Index Tournament Preview
Richmond Times-Dispatch Tournament Preview
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- No. 7 Richard Bland will play No. 15 Southern Maryland in the consolation round of the 2018 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship on Thursday afternoon, March 22, at 12 p.m. ET at Danville Area Community College in Danville, Illinois. The Statesmen have an overall record of 22-10, and are making their second-straight and third appearance in four years at the national tournament, while the Hawks have a record of 19-13. Richard Bland defeated Southern Maryland earlier this season by a score of 101-85 on November 10, 2017 in Statesman Hall.
All games played during the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship are being streamed online and are available for a fee at njcaatv.com.
GAME INFORMATION
No. 7 Richard Bland (22-10) vs. No. 15 Southern Maryland (19-13)
Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Live Video: njcaatv.com (Fee)
Location: Mary Miller Center | Danville, Illinois
Series History: 3-0
Scouting the Statesmen
Richard Bland is 22-10 overall and is coached by fifth-year head coach Chuck Moore, who has led the program to an outstanding record of 126-41 (.754) during his tenure. Moore is now 174-57 (.753) in seven seasons of junior college coaching, and is assisted by third-year assistant coach Preston Beverly.
Through 32 games, Richard Bland has been led in scoring by All-Region 10 First Team sophomore guard Robert Smith/Hampton, who is averaging 16.5 points and 5.9 rebounds. He had five points (1-9 FGs, 0-2 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) and three rebounds in the first-round game against Highland (Kan.). All-Region 10 Second Team sophomore guard Tim Bing Jr./Suitland, Maryland is averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists, and he posted 21 points (8-14 FGs, 1-4 3FGs, 4-6 FTs), nine rebounds and two assists against the Scotties. All-Region 10 Third Team sophomore forward Stanley Taylor/Petersburg is averaging 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, and had 11 points (4-10 FGs, 1-2 3FGs, 2-4 FTs) and 10 rebounds for his eighth double-double this season versus Highland. Richard Bland is averaging 87.9 points per game, while allowing 78.0 points to opponents for a scoring margin of +9.9.
Scouting the Hawks
Southern Maryland is 19-13 overall after its 108-84 loss to No. 2 Pima (Ariz.) in another first round game on March 20, and is coached by 10th-year head coach Alan Hoyt. The Hawks have been led in scoring by sophomores Juwan Smith (20.2 points, 4.4 assists), Sean Scott (15.4 points) and Levon Randall (12.8 points, 7.5 rebounds). Southern Maryland averages 88.2 points, while yielding 82.1 points for a scoring margin of +6.1.
Series History
Richard Bland and Southern Maryland are playing for the third time, as the Statesmen lead the series, 3-0, including the 16-point home win back in early November. Robert Smith had 29 points and nine rebounds during that early-season victory to lead Richard Bland, and sophomore Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York added 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Sean Scott had 28 points and six rebounds for the Hawks in that contest, while Juwan Smith added 15 points.
Success at the National Tournament
Richard Bland won the 2015 NJCAA Division II National Championship, finishing their most memorable storybook 2014-15 season with a school-record of 32-4, while winning the national title in only their second year back in action following the 20-year break. The Statesmen advanced to the NJCAA Division II Final Four a year ago, as well, its second such effort in three years, completing the 2016-17 season with a record of 30-6. Richard Bland is now 6-3 (.667) in games played at the National Tournament in Danville, Illinois.
Up Next
If Richard Bland defeats Southern Maryland, the Statesmen will advance to another consolation contest on Friday, March 23, at 12 p.m. ET, while another win on Friday would move Richard Bland into the National Tournament's Seventh Place Game on Saturday, March 24, at 1 p.m. ET. A loss would eliminate the Statesmen from the tournament.
Please continue to check rbcathletics.com and follow the Richard Bland on social media via Twitter (@GoRBCStatesmen) and Facebook (rbcstatesmen) for tournament progress and game times this week.