Down to business

The excitement of returning to the Elite Eight is still there, Augusta State's players say.

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Michael Holahan/Staff

Augusta State players returning to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year are (clockwise from top) Garret Siler, Caleb Brown, Steve Smith, Daniel Dixon, Ben Madgen and Jason Killeen. The No. 4 Jaguars begin play today in Springfield, Mass.

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But this time, it's different.

"I think we'll be more comfortable knowing we've been there before," senior point guard Steve Smith said. "But it's more businesslike."

"Everyone's proud of the team so far," junior guard Ben Madgen said, "but we've got a long way to go still."

No. 4 Augusta State tips off against No. 16 Christian Brothers at noon today in the Elite Eight opener at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. The winner advances to the Final Four on Thursday.

Augusta State's returning players are trying to take care of unfinished business. The Jaguars are the lone returning team in the Elite Eight, and senior center Garret Siler said his team knows what's at hand.

"The seniors and the guys who went there last year, we're trying to win three games," Siler said. "If we play strong, play together, we're going to be a hard team to beat."

Augusta State (29-4) is riding a 15-game winning streak, the second-longest spurt in school history. The Jaguars' last loss came at Georgia College & State, Jan. 31.

"That really motivated us to handle our business, especially on the road," sophomore guard Caleb Brown said. "That loss let us know we've got to come out and play every single game no matter who we play."

After the loss to the Bobcats, Augusta State went on to win the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles, along with the Southeast Regional championship. Now, the Jaguars are trying to claim their fourth title this season and become the first Peach Belt Conference team since Ken-nesaw State in 2004 to win it all.

"Considering what we've done," Augusta State coach Dip Metress said, "we've had pretty good focus."

Today's featured matchup will pit Christian Brothers senior center Nick Kohs (6-foot-8, 225 pounds), who averages 21.4 points and 9.8 rebounds a game, against the 7-foot, 291-pound Siler. Augusta State's behemoth has scored in double digits in 21 consecutive games and averages 16.4 points a game on 80 percent shooting. Siler compared Kohs to USC Aiken forward Josh Dollard (6-8, 235).

"I'm going to strap it up like I would against any other person," Siler said. "I'm going to have to box out hard and play a little stronger defense."

In the Elite Eight last year, referees allowed Augusta State to play a bit more physical than it could in the regular season. Siler dominated in the paint, averaging 22.3 points a game in three games on 67 percent field goal shooting.

"I'm trying to play a lot smarter," Siler said. "Hopefully, they'll let us play, because last year they did."

In 2008, Augusta State won two games and advanced to play Winona State in the Division II national championship game. The Jaguars led by 12 at halftime, but the Warriors used their experience to come back for the win. The loss left the Jaguars wanting more.

"We were up by a good margin," Brown said. "For them to come back and beat us, it was tough.

"It's been a huge part of motivation. The way we lost left a real bitter taste in our mouths."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.