Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-31-14)

Wednesday, December 31, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference 

There's three (3) games scheduled today in the Southern Conference, and all three games are out of conference contests. It's another opportunity to help the conference in overall RPI.

1:00 pm - ETSU (6-3) at Tennessee (7-4)  watch on SEC Network
2:00 pm - Mars Hill (7-4) at UNCG (4-9)  watch on SoCon Digital Network
3:00 pm  - Wofford (9-3) at Duke (11-0)  watch on ESPN3 


Yesterday's game:
St. Andrews at Furman -
Furman held St. Andrews to just 14 second-half points as the Paladins pulled away for a 72-35 victory over the Knights in non-conference men's basketball action at Timmons Arena on Tuesday night.

Bethune-Cookman at The Citadel -
The Citadel's Ashton Moore scored 20 points. while P.J. Horgan added 13 to lead the Bulldogs past Bethune-Cookman 51-47 on Tuesday night.

VMI at George Washington -
GW's Kethan Savage scored 18, and Patricio Garino added 16 points to lead George Washington past Virginia Military Institute 80-60 on Tuesday night.

St. Catharine at Western Carolina -
Western Carolina trailed for a total of three minutes Tuesday night as the Catamounts picked up an 86-70 victory over St. Catharine College in their final game of 2014. Four Catamounts reached double-figures in the game with senior James Sinclair leading the way with 24 points.

Auburn-Montgomery at Samford -
Samford's Brandon Roberts scored 19 points to lead Samford to a 94-60 win over Auburn-Montgomery on Tuesday night.

Mercer at Texas A&M -
Texas A&M's Jalen Jones scored 20 points to lead the Aggies to a 65-50 victory over Mercer in a non-conference men's basketball game Tuesday night.

Conference RPI (RealTimeRPI.com)
CAA - 17
Big South - 25
Southern - 26
OVC - 28
A-Sun - 29
Sun Belt - 30

SoCon out of conference record: 34 - 62

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Video: Men's Basketball Defeats St. Catherine 86 to 70

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P&G Player of the Game (St. Catharine)

The Purple & Gold  "Player of the Game" for the final contest of 2014, is senior guard, James Sinclair, from Savannah, Georgia. The Catamounts won the game, 86-70 over the Patriots of St. Catharine College.

Slick played all but 2 minutes of the game, putting up the Catamount's game high of 24 points. Sinclair hit 7 of 16  (44%) from the floor, including a perfect 8 of 8 from the free throw line, and was 2 of 4 from three-point range.

In addition to Slick's scoring he pulled down 4 rebounds, had 3 assists, 3 steals and one block in the game.

Check back after each game for P&G's selection of Player of the Game.

              

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SoCon Basketball Power Rankings (12-30-14)

Welcome to Purple & Gold's SoCon Basketball Power Rankings for the final week of December 2014.

Each week, on Tuesday, we will bring you our power rankings for Southern Conference basketball.


 1.  (1) Wofford 
 Record: 9-3 (0-0 SoCon)


2.  (5) East Tennessee State 
Record: 6-5 (1-1 SoCon)


3.  (2) Chattanooga 
Record: 8-6 (1-0 SoCon)


4.  (3) Western Carolina 
Record: 4-8 (0-1 SoCon)


5.  (6) Furman 
Record: 2-8 (1-0 SoCon)


6.  (4) Mercer 
Record: 6-7 (1-0)


7.  (8) Virginia Military Institute 
Record: 5-7 (1-1 SoCon)


8.  (7) UNCG 
Record: 4-9 (1-0 SoCon)


9.  (10) Samford 
Record: 6-8 (0-2 SoCon)


10.  (9) The Citadel 
Record: 4-7 (0-1 SoCon)



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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-30-14)

Tuesday, December 30, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference 

There's six (6) game scheduled today in the Southern Conference, and all six games are out of conference.  Another great opportunity to help the conference in overall RPI, prior to conference play really kicking off later this week.

-6:00 pm  St. Andrews (5-4) at Furman (2-8) watch on SoCon Digital Network
-7:00 pm  Bethune-Cookman (3-9) at The Citadel (4-7) watch on SoCon Digital Network
-7:00 pm  VMI (5-7) at George Washington (9-3) watch on GW streaming video
-7:00 pm  St. Catharine (4-8 ) at Western Carolina (4-8) watch on SoCon Digital Network
-8:00 pm  Auburn-Montgomery (5-6) at Samford (6-8) watch on SoCon Digital Network
-8:00 pm  Mercer (6-7) at Texas A&M (7-3) watch on SEC Network

Yesterday's game:  
Lipscomb at Chattanooga -
Chattanooga's Eric Roberts came off the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points, as the Mocs beat Lipscomb 78-60 on Monday night.

Conference RPI (RealTimeRPI.com)
CAA - 17
Big South - 25
A-Sun - 27
Southern - 28
Sun Belt - 29
OVC - 30

SoCon out of conference record: 33 - 60

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Basketball: St. Catharine College (Game #13)

Game Day: Tuesday
Date: December 30, 2014
Location: Ramsey Center (7,826), Cullowhee, NC
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV / Video: SoCon Digital Network
WCU Game Notes


The Catamounts close out the 2014 on Tuesday night as St. Catharine College visits Cullowhee. The Cats are coming off a big victory over UNC Asheville on Dec. 21 and Tuesday night's game is their final tune-up prior to Southern Conference play getting into full swing.

This will be the second meeting of the Cats and Patriots, as Western opened the 2009-10 season with St. Catharine.

The game is set for 7 pm and will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network as well as the SoCon Digital Network.


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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-29-14)

Monday, December 29, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference 

There's only one game scheduled today in the Southern Conference.

-7:00 pm Lipscomb (5-7) at Chattanooga (7-6) watch on SoCon Digital Network

Yesterday's games:  

UNCG  at East Carolina -
ECU's Terry Whisnant scored 17 points to lead the Pirates to a 71-50 victory over UNCG on Sunday in Greenville.

Campbell at Samford -
Samford's Tyler Hood scored 16 points to lead the Bulldogs past Campbell 65-56 on Sunday in the Hanner Center.

Conference RPI (RealTimeRPI.com)
CAA - 16
Big South - 23
OVC - 26
Southern - 27
A-Sun - 29
Sun Belt - 30

SoCon out of conference record: 32 - 60

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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-28-14)

Sunday, December 28, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference 

There's two games scheduled today in the Southern Conference.

-2:00 pm  UNCG (4-8) at East Carolina (6-6) watch on ESPN3
-2:00 pm  Campbell (6-6) at Samford (5-8) watch on SoCon Digital Network

Yesterday's games

Mercer at Georgia -
Mercer's Jordan Strawberry led Mercer with a career-high 21 points off the bench, and his 3-point jumper from the corner at the end of regulation forced overtime. Then Georgia held off Mercer in triple overtime, winning 86-77.

Conference RPI (RealTimeRPI.com)
CAA - 16
Big South - 23
OVC - 26
Southern - 27
A-Sun - 29
Sun Belt - 30

SoCon out of conference record: 31 - 59

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Merry Christmas to all our Friends

SoCon Basketball Power Rankings (12-23-14)

Welcome to Purple & Gold's SoCon Basketball Power Rankings for the week beginning December 22, 2014.

Each week, on Tuesday, we will bring you our power rankings for Southern Conference basketball.



  1.  (1)  Wofford
   Record: 9-3  (0-0 SoCon)


  2.  (5)  East Tennessee State
  Record: 6-3  (1-1 SoCon)


  3.  (2) Chattanooga
    Record: 7-6  (1-0 SoCon)



4.  (3)  Western Carolina
Record: 4-8  (0-1 SoCon)


  5.  (8) Virginia Military Institute
  Record: 5-7  (1-1 SoCon)


6.  (4)  Mercer
Record: 6-6  (1-0)




 7.  (6) Furman
 Record: 2-8  (1-0 SoCon)

   8.  (7) UNCG
       Record: 4-6  (1-0 SoCon)

  
 9.  (10)  Samford
 Record: 5-8  (0-2 SoCon)



   10.  (9) The Citadel
     Record: 4-7  (0-1 SoCon)



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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-23-14)

Tuesday, December 23, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference

There's not any games scheduled during the Christmas break in the Southern Conference until this Saturday when Mercer travels to Georgia.

We hope  you have a very Merry Christmas.

Yesterday's games -
The Citadel at Michigan State -
Michigan State's Denzel Valentine scored 18 points and keyed a second-half surge to pull away from The Citadel 82-56 on Monday night.

VMI at Virginia Tech -
Virginia Tech's Justin Bibbs scored 20 points to lift the Hokies to an 87-74 victory over VMI on Monday.

ETSU at VCU -
VCU's Melvin Johnson hit back-to-back 3-pointers kicking off an 18-2 second-half run as VCU broke open the game to beat East Tennessee State 84-60.

Mercer at Tennessee -
Tennessee's Devon Baulkman scored 22 points off the bench Monday as the Volunteers held Mercer without a basket for an 11-minute stretch in the Volunteers' 64-54 victory.  

Wofford at West Virginia -
West Virginia's Juwan Staten scored 17 points and 10 rebounds in West Virginia's 77-44 win over Wofford on Monday night.

UAB at Chattanooga -
Chattanooga's Greg Pryor scored 18 points as the Mocs beat UAB 83-67 on Monday.

Furman at Minnesota -
Minnsota's Joey King scored 19 points as Gophers got a scare from Furman in their 86-76 win on Monday.

Conference RPI (WarrenNolan.com)
CAA - 15
Big South - 24
Southern - 25
Sun Belt - 26
OVC - 27
A-Sun - 28

SoCon out of conference record: 31 - 58

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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-22-14)

Monday, December 22, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference

There's seven games scheduled today before the Christmas break in the Southern Conference.

After two out of conference wins on Sunday, Monday could be a big day for the SoCon, if everyone steps up.

-6:00 pm The Citadel (4-6) at Michigan State (8-4) watch on Big Ten Network Plus
-7:00 pm VMI (5-6) at Virginia Tech (6-4) watch on ESPN3
-7:00 pm ETSU (6-2) at VCU (8-3)
-7:00 pm Mercer (6-5) at Tennessee (5-4) watch on SEC Network
-7:30 pm Wofford (9-2) at West Virginia (10-1)
-8:00 pm UAB (4-7) at Chattanooga (6-6) watch on American Sports Network
-8:00 pm Furman (2-7) at Minnesota (9-2) watch on ESPN3

Yesterday's games -
Western Carolina at UNCA -
Western Carolina's James Sinclair scored 20 points and made 10 of 13 free throws as Mike Brown scored 12 points, including the go-ahead basket, The Cats rallied to beat Asheville 66-62 on Sunday.

UL Monroe at Samford -
Samford's Brandon Roberts came off the bench to score 12 points as the Bulldogs \ used a second-half surge to beat UL Monroe, 64-50 on Sunday.

Conference RPI (WarrenNolan.com)
CAA - 13
A-Sun - 24
Big South - 25
Sun Belt - 26
Southern - 27
OVC - 28

SoCon out of conference record: 30 - 52

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Cats rally for 66-62 win over Asheville

Devin Peterson makes monster dunk 

The Catamounts traveled to Asheville on Saturday desperately needing a victory, after five straight road losses.

After being down 28-34 at the half, the Cats saw Asheville's led grow to a 16 point deficit. at 39-55 with 12:29 to play.

The Cats looked to be headed for that sixth straight road loss at this point, but, little by little, the Cats chipped away at the lead, until with 2:25 minutes remaining in the game, Mike Brown made a three-point jumper to give the Catamounts their first lead of the game, at 61-60.

Then, James Sinclair iced the game with 4 free throws in the final 18 seconds, for the final margin of victory, 66-62.

Sinclair scored 20 points to lead all scorers, making 10 of 13 free throws. Mike Brown scored 12 points, as Torrion Brummit scored 11 and hit 7 of 8 free throws. Rhett Harrelson added 10 points but left the fame early in the second half due to an ankle injury.

Overall, the Cats made 40% of their field goals, but we only 2 of 9 tonight from three point range, however they hit 79% from the free throw line, making 22 of 28 attempts.

Western will now take a nine-day break for the holidays and return to action Dec. 30 at 7 pm as they host St. Catharine College in the Ramsey Center.

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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-21-14)

Sunday, December 21, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference 

There's two games today in the Southern Conference, and more opportunities to increase the conference RPI.

-2:00 pm Western Carolina (3-8) at UNCA (4-6)  watch on Big South Network
-3:00 pm UL Monroe (6-4) at Samford (4-8) watch on SoCon Digital Network

Yesterday's games -

The Citadel at Virginia Tech -
Virginia Tech's Adam Smith scored 16 points to lead the Hokies to a 64-61 victory over The Citadel on Saturday. Smith scored 14 points in the second half, helping the Hokies rally from a 27-22 halftime deficit.

Elon at UNCG -
Elon's Elijah Bryant finished with 20 points as Elon held on to defeat UNC Greensboro 71-64 on Saturday.

Conference RPI (WarrenNolan.com)
CAA - 13
Big South - 24
OVC - 26
A-Sun - 28
Sun Belt - 29
Southern - 30


SoCon out of conference record: 28 - 52

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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-20-14)

Saturday, December 20, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference 

There's two games today in the Southern Conference, and more opportunities to increase the conference RPI.

-1:00 pm The Citadel (4-5) at Virginia Tech (5-4) watch on ESPN3
-2:00 pm Elon (5-5) at UNCG (4-7) watch on SoCon Digital Network 

Yesterday's games -
Bethune-Cookman at Mercer -
Mercer's Ike Nwamu scored 22 points to lead Mercer past Bethune-Cookman 67-46 Friday night.

Furman at FGCU -
FGC's Brett Comer converted a three-point play with 1:34 left to help Florida Gulf Coast edge Furman 83-78 on Friday night.

Chattanooga at Middle Tennessee -
Middle Tennessee outlasted Chattanooga 68-58 Friday night in at the Murphy Center.

Conference RPI (WarrenNolan.com)
CAA - 8
Big South - 19
Sun Belt - 25
Southern - 30
OVC - 31
A-Sun - 33


SoCon out of conference record: 28 - 50

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Basketball: WCU at UNCA (Game #12)

Game Day: Sunday
Date: December 21, 2014
Location:  Kimmel Arena (3,200). Asheville, NC
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV / Video:  WMYA-TV  &  Big South Network


On Sunday, the Western Carolina Catamounts (3-8) travel to Asheville to meet the UNC-A Bulldogs (4-6).

In an attempt to ensure a small crowd (see WCU's game with Wright State), as usual, the game is scheduled while both schools are on semester break,  In order to highlight said small crowd (again see WCU's game with Wright State carried by ESPN 3) the game will be carried locally by WMYA-TV (My40), as well as, the Big South Network.

Both teams are desperate for a win, as the Catamounts hobble into Asheville with a five game losing streak under their belt, while the home standing Bulldogs have lost 5 of their last 7, and bring their own 2 game winless streak into the game. The Bulldogs are 3-1 at home this season, but the three wins were against non-DI competition (Johnson & Wales, Limestone, & Tusculum), and their lone loss was to the Charlotte 49ers.

Asheville has posted a 39-9 overall record in the Kimmel Arena since the facility opened four seasons ago and were 11-2 there last season.  WCU is 0-1 in games played against UNCA in Kemmel.

Second year head coach Nick McDevitt returned 3 starters from last season's team what was 17-15 overall.  Asheville is scoring 75.9 points per game, hitting 42% from the field and 39% from three point range.  The dogs are averaging 74% shooting from the free throw line.and that is a big problem for Western with their tendency to send their opponents to the charity stripe on a regular basis.

Asheville has two players scoring double figures, Andrew Rowsey with 22.6 points per game and David Robertson with 12.3 points per game.  Ken Ubaru is just under the double figure threshold with 9.3 points per game. Rowsey leads the Big South in scoring and is seventh nationally as of Friday. Rowsey also leads the BSC in free throw percentage (.906) and three-pointers made per game (3.80).

The Bulldogs do have size, with four players 6'9" or taller -  center Chudler Pal - 6'9"; forward Giacomo Zill - 6'9" center John Cannon - 6'10;  & center Jaleel Roberts - 7'0" - however only the two centers Pal & Roberts see significant playing time.  Asheville will rotate their guards, with Littlejohn, Robertson, and Rowsey starting, and Thomas, Vannatta, & Neely getting significant playing time off the bench.

UNC-A probable starters
Senior - guard,  Corey Littlejohn - 6'2" 180 lbs - 4.6 ppg
Sophomore - guard,  David Robertson - 6'3" 195 lbs - 12.3 ppg
Sophomore - guard, Andrew Rowsey - 5'10" 175 lbs - 22.6 ppg
Freshman - forward,  Kem Ubaru - 6'6" 235 lbs - 9.3 ppg
Senior - center, Chudler Pal - 6'9" 250 lbs - 2.1 ppg


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Men's Basketball Falls to Wright State

Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-19-14)

Friday, December 19, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference

There's three games tonight in the Southern Conference. More opportunities to increase the conference RPI.

-7:00 pm Bethune-Cookman (3-8) at Mercer (5-5) watch on ESPN3
-7:30 pm Furman (2-6) at FGCU (8-2) watch on ESPN3
-8:00 pm Chattanooga (6-5) at Middle Tennessee (5-5) watch on American Sports Network

Yesterday's games -
Wright State at Western Carolina 
Wright State's JT Yoho scored 19 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as the Raiders pulled away from an uninspired Catamount team, 69-56 in Cullowhee in front of a even less inspired 671 fans. No help for the conference RPI here.

Conference RPI (WarrenNolan.com)
CAA - 13
Big South - 23
A-Sun - 24
Sun Belt - 25
OVC - 27
Southern - 28

SoCon out of conference record: 27 - 48

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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-18-14)

Thursday, December 18, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference 

Only one game is scheduled today in the Southern Conference.
-7:00 pm Wright State (7-4) at Western Carolina (3-7) watch on ESPN3

Yesterday's games -
Charleston Southern at Wofford -
Wofford's Eric Garcia scored 15 points, including Wofford's last five, as the Terriers recovered from blowing an 11-point second-half lead to beat Charleston Southern 64-58 on Wednesday night.

Conference RPI (WarrenNolan.com)
CAA - 13
Big South - 23
Sun Belt - 24
A-Sun - 25
OVC - 27
Southern - 28

SoCon out of conference record:  27- 47


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Basketball: Wright State (Game #11)

Game Day: Thursday
Date: December 19, 2014
Location: Ramsey Center. Cullowhee, NC
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV / Video:  ESPN3

Wright State of the Horizon League travels to Cullowhee on Thursday night, for only the second meeting between the two teams in basketball. The Raiders won the first meeting last season in Dayton, 85-77.

The Raiders come to Cullowhee with a 7-4 overall record, carrying a three game winning streak in the Ramsey Center after their 68-59 victory over Miami (Ohio) last Sunday night. WSU is averaging 70.3 ppg, while giving up only 66.9 ppg, hitting 46% of their field goals and are hitting 73% from the charity stripe.

Wright State has three players averaging double figures in scoring, with JT Yoho leading the field with 17.8 ppg, followed by Joe Tomasson with 11.8 ppg and Chrishawn Hopkins with 10.6 ppg. Yoho also leads rebounding for the Raiders with 7.1 per game.

Projected starters for Wright State
Senior guard,  Reggie Arceneaux, 5'9" 160 lbs - 8,5 ppg
Freshman guard, Grand Benzinger, 6'3" 190 lbs - 6.5 ppg
Junior guard, Joe Thomasson, 6'4" 170 lbs - 11.8 ppg
Junior forward, JT Yoho, 6'6" 225 lbs - 17.8 ppg
Junior center, Michael Karena, 6'10" 225 lbs - 6.5 ppg


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Basketball: Today in the SoCon (12-17-14)

Wednesday, December 16, 2014 – Men's Basketball Games in the Southern Conference

Only one game is scheduled today in the Southern Conference.

-7:00 pm Charleston Southern (5-3) at Wofford (8-2)  SoCon Digital Network


Yesterday's games - The SoCon picks up three out of conference wins, while UNCG and WCU are crushed in their games.

UNC at UNCG -
No. 24 Tar Heels beat Spartans 79-56

NKU at Chattanooga -
Chattanooga beats Northern Kentucky 93-81

Eastern Kentucky at ETSU -
East Tennessee State sneaks past Eastern Kentucky 63-60

Dartmouth at Mercer -
Dartmouth beat Mercer, 67-51

Samford at Presbyterian -
Samford topped Presbyterian 83-69

Western Carolina at Vanderbilt -
Vanderbilt rallies to beat Western Carolina 99-79

Conference RPI (WarrenNolan.com)
CAA - 13
Big South - 20
OVC - 24
A-Sun - 25
Sun Belt - 27
Southern - 28


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SoCon Basketball Power Rankings (12-16-14)

Welcome to Purple & Gold's SoCon Basketball Power Rankings for the week beginning December 15, 2014.

Each week, on Tuesday, we will bring you our power rankings for Southern Conference basketball.


  1.  (1)  Wofford
   Record: 8-2  (0-0 SoCon)


  2.  (6) Chattanooga
    Record: 5-5  (1-0 SoCon)


3.  (3)  Western Carolina
Record: 3-6  (0-1 SoCon)



4.  (4)  Mercer
Record: 5-4  (1-0)


  5.  (2)  East Tennessee State
  Record: 5-2  (1-1 SoCon)


 6.  (7) Furman
Record: 2-6  (1-0 SoCon)

  7.  (8) UNCG
 Record: 4-6  (1-0 SoCon)


  8.  (8) Virginia Military Institute
 Record: 5-6 (1-1 SoCon)


   9.  (9) The Citadel
    Record: 4-5  (0-1 SoCon)



10.  (10)  Samford
Record: 3-8  (0-2 SoCon)



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