NAIA Schedule, Links to Watch, Games of the Day and Five Players to Watch: January 6th

Wednesday, January 6th NAIA Games

Games of the Day:

Southwestern @ 25 Bethel (KS) 6:00pm CT Live Video

Southwestern hasn’t played since the middle of November, so nothing like coming off of an almost 2 month layoff to face a 25th ranked Bethel (KS) team on the road. The good news for them is that Bethel hasn’t played a game since Mid-December. Expect to see both teams shaking off some rust early in this game. Should still be a fun one though, as both teams get back to KCAC action today!

Saint Xavier @ Saint Ambrose 7:00pm CT Live Video

Highlighting this game out in the Chicago Collegiate Athletic Conference, This Saint Ambrose team is 6-2 overall right now with both losses coming by 7 points to two Top 25 opponents. They look like a real force to win the CCAC. Saint Xavier has had a tough start to the year, but this should be a game that is won in the paint as both teams have good bigs. The matchup with John Kerr (St Ambrose) and Jack Halverson (St Xavier) should be a fun matchup on the inside.

Concordia @ 18 Dakota Wesleyan 8:00pm CT Live Video

This Concordia team had a hot start to the year and jumped into the NAIA Hoops Report Top 25 earlier this season. When they are shooting the three well they are tough to beat. They are coming off of a nice road win over RV Northwestern (IA). The Corn Palace is a special place and a tough one to get a win at. Especially with how good Dakota Wesleyan is playing right now. Winners of 12 straight and the current the top GPAC team, DWU can still lose and be in 1st place. However, losing a home game in the Worlds Only Corn Palace isn’t something DWU does often. Going to be a fun game in the GPAC this evening!

Five Players To Watch

Trinity International has only played two games thus far, but McQueen is already having a big impact for the Trojans. He leads the team in scoring at 18.5ppg, but he also is 8th in the NAIA in SPG (3.5) and 18th in APG (5.5). He has been filling up the stat sheet and will need to continue to do that today against a tough Olivet Nazarene squad.

As stated above, we haven’t gotten to see Southwestern play in nearly two months but through eight games this season Salas is already averaging 7 more ppg then he did last season. He’s a big time shooter who currently sits 27th in NAIA in 3pt FGM per game at 3.2. He has five games of 20+ pts already. Look for the Builders to lean on Salas again tonight to have a big game in hopes for an upset bid over #25 Bethel (KS).

As good of a scorer as there is in NAIA. The All-American averages 28ppg on a team that only averages 78ppg. Mart is a smooth wing, who is currently the NAIA’s 5th best scorer per game right now. Another player who hasn’t played in almost two months but he is a stud and a player who you need to watch hoop. #23 Xavier should roll today, so Mart may not play the entire game today, but you can bet that he will make the most of his minutes played today.

A lot of new followers to the site recently, so if you are new to following NAIA it should be pointed out that there are a lot of great players in the NAIA, but Kyle Mangas is the favorite to win the NAIA National Player of the Year award. Kyle is super tough to guard because he can post up smaller guards and is smart enough and crafty enough to get open against taller defenders. He is a super efficient scorer, but is also a phenomenal passer. He has sneaky athleticism and is the ultimate competitor. We could literally have him on this list every night he plays. If you haven’t seen him play, him and Indiana Wesleyan are a must watch!

As much as we love Damek Mitchell, this Lewis-Clark State team has a lot more in their arsenal then just him. Trystan Bradley is one of those weapons. The big man can hurt you both inside and out and on both ends of the floor. He is coming off of a 27pt performance against William Jessup and will be a tough matchup for anyone the rest of the season.