Small Conference Game of the Day – January 29, 2014

Last season, the SCGD brought us a Civil War history lesson as the Crowley’s Ridge Pioneers from Paragould, Arkansas — a school with an enrollment right around 300 — took on Eastern Kentucky.  On May 1-2, 1863, Union Brigadier General Vandever was repulsed in his attempt to prevent Confederate General Marmaduke from crossing the St. Francis River, though Marmaduke’s forces suffered considerable losses.  This battle, called the Battle of Chalf Bluff, took place right near Paragould.

Tonight, we revisit our friends at Crowley’s Ridge College (“the college that feels like home” according to their website), as this National Christian College Athletic Association member travels to Edwardsville, Illinois to take on another OVC opponent, the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars (8:00 PM Eastern, live streaming at ovcsports.com).  Crowley’s Ridge enters tonight’s game at 9-9 on the season.  However, they are coming off an 86-84 loss to Champion Baptist…the same Champion Baptist team that lost to Southern University 116-12 earlier this season.

SIU-E is 7-14 on the season so far, but 4-4 in OVC play, good enough for second place in the conference’s West Division (of course the two best teams, Belmont and Eastern Kentucky, both play in the East).  SIU-E’s ratings are not very good at all, with sub-300 RPI and BPI numbers, and a KenPom rating that barely breaks into the top 300.  They did, however, hand West Division leader Murray State their lone OVC loss on the season on January 18.

The Cougars do need to be ready for Crowley’s Ridge’s big men tonight.  The Pioneers had a huge presence down low last season against EKU in 7’0″ 320 pound Skylor Guess.  This season they have added 6’11” 319 pound freshman Richard Forshee to the mix, giving them a pair of monster-sized players in the middle.

By the way, if you want to attend Crowley’s Ridge and play hoops for them, you can still sign up for the team on their website.  Just follow this link:  http://www.crc.edu/index.php/athletics-at-crc/basketball-mens/basketball-signup-form