Original Story
As if facing top-seeded Southern (La.) with a trip to the conference title game on the line wasn't a daunting enough task in and of itself, there's a chance Alabama A&M may have to do so without its best perimeter player.
Junior guard Jeremy Crutcher sat out all of the Bulldogs' 59-51 victory against winless Grambling State (La.) Wednesday night with what coach Willie Hayes said was muscles spasms in his back and will be a game-time decision when sixth-seeded A&M (11-19) takes on the Jaguars at 8 p.m. in the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament semifinals Friday at 8 p.m. in Garland, Texas.
"It's just something that happened on this road trip here," Hayes, in his second year at the Bulldogs' helm, said of Crutcher's ailment. "I don't know if the ride got to him or what but he just started having these muscle spasms."
Hayes said trainers will try and see what they can do to get the 5-foot-8, 160-pounder from Hazel Green ready for tipoff. He's averaging 11.8 points per game and was second in the conference in assists at nearly five a contest in the regular season.
"That's your starting point guard, second-leading scorer on the team, leads you in assists," Hayes said. "He's that energy guy there for you and not having him out there it kind of put us in a little funk at the beginning of the game. Grambling came out there playing well which I knew they were going to do. Not having him out there, when everything breaks down, you know that he can get a shot off for you."
Hayes inserted junior G.A. Hill into the lineup and against the Tigers. Hill , who transferred from Boise State two years ago and started 19 games this season, was aggressive in 31 minutes of action. He went 7-for-8 from the free-throw line on his way to scoring 11 points to go along with six assists and one turnover.
"He gave us exactly what Jeremy would've given us," Hayes said of Hill. "I think that comes from starting the majority of the season this year."
Southern (21-9) has won 17 of its last 20.
The Jaguars took both of the meetings against the Bulldogs this season, winning 82-68 in Normal on Jan. 21st and 81-67 at home in Baton Rouge Feb.18th.
They are led by junior Malcolm Miller's 16 points per game. Miller, a transfer from South Plains College (Texas) where he played alongside SEC top-scorer Ole Miss guard Marshall Henderson, is shooting 52.1 percent from the field and a lethal 45.8 from 3-point range.
Miller, who comes off the bench, was named a first-team choice selection and Newcomer of the Year when the all-league team was released last week. Right behind him is shooting guard Derrick Beltran, also a first-teamer, at 15.9 points per game. The duo combined for 43 the first time they faced the Bulldogs and 42 the second time.
"Those are the main two guys (Alabama A&M needs to try to limit)," Hayes said. "(Javan) Mitchell, on the inside, has had two good games against us. You gotta eliminate one of those three to give yourself a chance in that game."
Nick Birdsong covers HBCU sports for al.com. He can be reached at 205-325-2327 or nbirdsong@al.com. Follow him on Twitter @birds_word.
