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Post by The Cats on Dec 29, 2019 21:47:44 GMT -5
In week 9, conference action takes off in earnest. This year, for some strange reason, the SoCon is going with a Wednesday/Saturday rotation, rather than the traditional Thursday/Saturday rotation (with travel partners) of the past. Jan. 1, 2020 (Wednesday)*Furman at VMI, 1 p.m. *The Citadel at Samford, 3 p.m. *Wofford at ETSU, 7 p.m. *Mercer at UNCG, 7 p.m.
Jan. 4, 2020 (Saturday)*Chattanooga at Mercer *Western Carolina at The Citadel, 1 p.m. *Samford at VMI, 1 p.m. *ETSU at Furman, 4 p.m. *UNCG at Wofford, 7 p.m.  |
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Post by The Cats on Dec 31, 2019 15:31:58 GMT -5
Week nine brings us into serious conference play. On January 1st, eight SoCon teams are in action, here's a look at the four games.
Furman at VMI, 1 p.m.
Citadel at Samford, 3 p.m.
Wofford at ETSU, 7 p.m.
Mercer at UNCG, 7 p.m.
Probably the top game for the day will be the #5 Wofford Terriers at the co-#1 ETSU Bucs game, the Terriers come in at number five in our power ranking while the Bucs hold down the number one spot. With a 12-2 record, the Bucs come into the game ranked #5 in the mid-major top 25 poll, while the Terriers are in the "others receiving votes". Wofford has probably the best win of the season thus far for the conference, a 68-64 victory over then #17 UNC, however, ETSU has gone 59-11 at home in the Forbes era, including a 13-3 mark last season and 8-0 record this year. While the Terriers can never be counted out, Massey projects a 76-69 ETSU win in Freedom Hall.
Gameday kicks off AT 1 pm with the co-#1 Furman Paladins at the #10 VMI Keydets. The Paladins are number 3 in our power ranking this week and are coming in at #9 on the mid-major top 25 rankings. The Keydets hold down the number 10 spot in the conference power rankings. By just looking at the various rankings on paper, this game should be a no-contest. However, VMI comes in at second place in the SoCon in three-point shots, hitting 38% of their attempts, so if the Keydets have a hot shooting afternoon at home, it can be a game-changer. VMI comes into the game sporting a two-game losing streak, while the Paladins bring in a 4 game win streak. Massey projects a 79-66 win for the Paladins the road, and if they can defend the three, I agree, and with the VMI students on break, VMI's Cameron Hall is a much less intimidating place to play.
The days afternoon games tips off at 3 pm and feature the #7 Citadel Bulldogs at the #8 Samford Bulldogs. The Citadel ranks number nine in this week's power poll, while Samford comes in at number seven in that rankings. This game opens the conference season for the Samford Bulldogs, while The Citadel has one conference loss, ETSU. Currently, the Citadel leads the conference in scoring offense, putting up 85 points per game (ppg), but also leads the conference in the most points given up, at 79 ppg. The Citadel is averaging 11 three-pointers per game, so like VMI, they are very dangerous when the threes are falling for them. The Citadel is coming off a road loss to NC State, while Samford is currently in a 3 game slide. Massey projects a 90-82 win for Samford at the Hanna Center.
In the second night game, the #9 Mercer Bears visits the co-#1 UNCG Spartans, and the Spartans are ranked #7 on this week's mid-major top 25 rankings. The Bears ranked number eight in our power ranking, while the Spartans come in at number two. Mercer brings in a 6-8 record to the game, and a conference loss to Furman, while the Spartans are 11-3 overall, and 1-0 in the SoCon with a win over VMI. The Spartans are 8-1 out of their last nine games, coming in on a 3 game win streak. Massey projects a 75-56 victory for the Spartans in the Greensboro Coliseum, where they have lost only once this season, to NC State.
Current Power Rankings
1. ETSU
2. UNCG
3. Furman
4. Western Carolina
5. Wofford
6. Chattanooga
7. Samford
8. Mercer
9. The Citadel
10. VMI
Current Massey Rankings, as of 12-31-19
60 - ETSU
71 - UNCG
83 - Furman
106 - Wofford
144 - Western Carolina
176 - Chattanooga
250 - Samford
280 - Mercer
284 - The Citadel
327 - VMI
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Post by The Cats on Jan 1, 2020 23:05:02 GMT -5
Wednesday's results (1-1-20)
Furman at VMI
Furman's Jordan Lyons scored a season-high 40 points leading Furman over VMI 89-73 on Wednesday for their fifth straight victory. Sophomore Jalen Slawson had his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Furman as Clay Mounce added 13 points, and Noah Gurley had 10 points for the Paladins. Furman shot 57% from the field and connected on 54% (13-24) from 3-point range. Sean Conway had 15 points and five steals for the Keydets in the loss. This was the Paladin's second conference win, as well as the second loss for the Keydets.
The Citadel at Samford
In what became one of two nail biters today, Samford's Josh Sharkey matched his career-high of 27 points as the Bulldogs squeaked by the Citadel, 69-68. Samford's 17-3 run over the final eight minutes, including Logan Padgett's free throw with three seconds left put the home team over the line for the victory. Citadel led by as many as 16 in the game. The loss for the Citadel was their second conference loss.
Wofford at ETSU
In a much closer game than expected, Wofford almost pulled off an upset of ETSU in Johnson City. The Buc's Patrick Good scored 12 points as ETSU pulled past the Wofford Terriers 49-48 for their fifth straight victory. Both teams set season lows for scoring in the first half of play. The Bucs' 21 first-half points were the lowest of the season, while the 18 points for the Terriers marked their fewest of the season. Tray Boyd III, the Buccaneers' leading scorer entering the matchup, was held to just five points, as Storm Murphy, the Terriers' leading scorer entering the contest had only six points. The Bucs are now 2-0, while Wofford drops to 0-1.
Mercer at UNCG
The Spartans' Isaiah Miller posted a career-high 31 points as UNCG topped the Mercer Bears 72-63 on Wednesday night. James Dickey had 12 rebounds for the Spartans as UNCG earned their fourth consecutive victory. Mercer had three turnovers in the final three minutes, finishing with a grand total of 24 turnovers that UNCG turned into 39 points. Ethan Stair had 18 points and six rebounds for the Bears, as Mercer dropped it's second SoCon game.
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Post by The Cats on Jan 3, 2020 20:51:07 GMT -5
The line on Saturday's games -
Jan. 4, 2020 (Saturday)
Chattanooga at Mercer - Line: MER -1.0
O/U: 136
Western Carolina at The Citadel, Line: WCU -6.0
O/U: 163.5
Samford at VMI, Line: SAM -1.5
O/U: 150.5
ETSU at Furman, Line: FUR -3.5
O/U: 140
UNCG at Wofford, Line: UNCG -1.5
O/U: 129
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Post by The Cats on Jan 6, 2020 8:09:57 GMT -5
Saturday's SoCon Basketball results (1-4-20)
As of Sunday morning, there remains only three teams without a conference loss, Furman at 3-0, WCU & Samford at 2-0. At the other end of the standings, Mercer, VMI, & the Citadel all have three conference losses. If you missed the games on Saturday, you missed some great basketball, capped off by a double-overtime finish in Spartanburg.
Western Carolina at The Citadel
The Catamount's Onno Steger made 8 of 12 three-pointers, scoring 28 points, to lead the Cats past The Citadel 86-82 on Saturday as the Cats win their third straight game. Carlos Dotson completed his sixth double-double or the season as he grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 10 points. The Bulldogs' Fletcher Abee's three-pointer with about a minute left put The Citadel ahead 82-81, but Dotson made a layup and he and Mason Faulkner combined for three free throws before a 3-point try by The Citadel's Tyson Batiste with 5 seconds left missed, giving the Dogs their third straight loss.
Samford at VMI
In the day's other early game, Samford's Josh Sharkey scored 25 points as the Bulldogs edged VMI 78-75 in Lexington. Samford trailed 40-37 at halftime and 47-41 with 14:57 remaining in the second half. The Bulldogs took the lead for good at 54-53 and quickly pushed their advantage to nine points. Evee had 24 points for the Keydets who have now lost four consecutive games. Gilkeson scored a career-high 22 points and had 10 rebounds. Samford is now 2-0 and the Keydets are 0-3 in conference play.
ETSU at Furman
Both ETSU & Furman came in Saturday's afternoon game riding a five-game win streak and both were unbeaten in conference play but it was the Paladins who seized control with a 13-0 run late in the first half, as Furman defeated ETSU 65-56. The Paladins Jordan Lyons sank four 3-pointers for 14 points, Noah Gurley added 10 points with 12 rebounds. Bo Hodges had 12 points for the Bucs, whose five-game win streak was broken. Tray Boyd III, who entering the game was leading the Bucs in scoring, was held to 5 points (2 of 10) in 18 minutes.
Chattanooga at Mercer
The Mocs Matt Ryan & David Jean-Batiste each scored 17 points as Chattanooga held off the Bears for a 70-61 win to earn their first conference win. Mercer's Djordje Dimitrijevic made a 3-point field goal in each of his last 14 straight games, finished the game with 22 points as Maciej Bender added 14 points. The Mocs are now 1-1 in the SoCon while the Bears drop to 0-3 in conference play.
UNCG at Wofford
Saturday's nightcap game ended in double overtime, as the Terriers made free throws down the stretch to edge out the Spartans 98-92. UNCG's Keyshaun Langley hit a 3-pointer with 48 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime tied at 78, then Isaiah Miller's 3-pointer for the Spartans with 18 seconds left in the first OT tied the score at 86, forcing another overtime period. In the second overtime period, Wofford used 6-of-8 free-throw shooting and a Tray Hollowell layup to stay in front. Isaiah Miller paced the Spartans with 28 points. The Terriers are now 1-1 in conference play, while the Spartans are 2-1 in the SoCon.
The Standings
3-0 Furman
2-0 WCU
2-0 Samford
2-1 ETSU
2-1 UNCG
1-1 UTC
1-1 Wofford
0-3 Citadel
0-3 Mercer
0-3 VMI
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