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Show "IfsandMaybes" Scores against common opponents indicate that the T-Bird Adams State matchup mat-chup should be a very close game. Both SUSC and the Indians have wins over Western State and Southern Colorado. Both have losses Jo Western New Mexico. Most of the Adams State scoring is coming from Loren Lutz, a 6-5 senior who moved from guard to forward for-ward this year, and Lee Prolow, a 6-7 senior guard. Lutz is averaging just under 21 points per game, while Prolow collects just over 17 points per outing. Prolow also averages 10 rebounds. Good front line assistance to Prolow comes from veterans Duane Bussey (6-9), (6-9), Chip Spalding (6-7) and John Johnson (6-7). Southern Utah is continuing con-tinuing to get double figure scoring from Brett Bell (11.9), Russ Hafen (12.3), Scott Spurrier (12.2), and Dave Knudsen (14.3). Hafen, Bell, and Knudsen are top rebounders with respective takedown averages of 8.7, 7.2, and 6.0. "We've had just a little trouble with consistency," Jack says, "but that problem is always multiplied by the long and tiresome road trips." It's back to the "ifs" and "maybes" for Southern Utah State's basketball team which hosts Fort Lewis friday and Adams State Saturday in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action. Friday's contest will start at 9 p.m. to accommodate fans who may also want to attend a Cedar City High School game. Saturday's game will start at the usual 7:30 p.m. SUSC's junior varsity squad will host Snow College in a 5:15 preliminary game Saturday. "We feel pleased that we picked up a split on the road in our last two games, but those two games have also created some questions for us," Stan Jack, SUSC head coach, says. "A big 15-point lead at Highlands with only four minutes left suddenly melted and left us in big trouble in the final seconds. Then we had no end of difficulty dif-ficulty at Western New Mexico. Things will have to go better this week against Fort Lewis and Adams State, or we'll have our hands more than full." SUSC will be battling to hold onto second place in the RMAC in the home series. "We've got to build some momentum for the remainder of the season," Jack says. "Seven of our last nine conference games are on the road. We have only i wo more RMAC games at home alter this weekend. The Thunderbirds currently have a shaky hold on second place in the i.'onference with a 5-2 record after Monday's defeat at Western N.M. WNM leads he league with a 7-1 mark. Either or both of this veek's opponents could pass the 'Birds in the standings, if SUSC should stumble. Adams State has a 4-2 record, . and Fort Lewis is 4-3. I "Both of these teams have been realtively strong-in the upper third of the standings-for standings-for years," Jack Says. "It appears that Adams Slate, especially is really looking for big things this year." Fort Lewis is depending heavily on the talents of one of the RMAC's top guard duos, Ric Burris, a 6-0 senior, and Barney Hinkle, a 6-3 junior. Burris dishes out assists in great abundance (he averages just under seven per game) while scoring an average of 12 points. Hinkle is also an excellent passer; he scores 14 points on an average night. Both are excellent free throw shooters; Burris hits 91 percent from the line, and Hinkle hits just under 85 percent. After the two veteran guards, the Raiders rely on transfers. Their balanced scoring includes good outputs out-puts from Rhett Meckel, 6-2 junior (16.7 ppg) and Chuck Carroll, a 6-7 sophomore (11.4 ppg). The top rebounders on the team are Carroll (7.9 rpg) and Bill Davis, a 6-5 junior (919 rpg). Adams State has a squad laced with proven veterans. The Indians also have excellent ex-cellent overall size. "They may be the tallest team we'll face in conference games," Jack worries. |