SoCon Rankings (12-31-19)

Listed below are various SoCon Men's Basketball Rankings (RPI, NET, Kenpom, Massey, etc.) as of Tuesday, December 31, 2019.



RPI - RealTime RPI  as of 12-31-19

44 - ETSU
76 - Western Carolina
92 - Furman
122 - Chattanooga
148 - Wofford
166 - UNCG
219 - Citadel
296 - Samford
323 - Mercer
350 - VMI

Conference RPI as of 12-31-19
15 - Southern
16 - Colonial Athletic
17 - Conference USA
18 - Sun Belt
19 - Big West
20 - Summit
21 - Horizon League
22 - Patriot League
23 - America East
24 - Northeast
25 - Big South
26 - Western Athletic
27 - Metro Atlantic Athletic
28 - Atlantic Sun
29 - Ohio Valley
30 - Southwestern Athletic
31 - Southland
32 - Mid-Eastern

NCAA NET Rankings as of 12-30-19
61 - ETSU

66 - UNCG

94 - Furman

98 - Western Carolina

162 - Wofford
186 - Chattanooga
276 - Samford
279 - Mercer
280 - The Citadel
323 - VMI

Current KenPom Rankings, as of 12-31-19
66 - ETSU
74 - Furman

75 - UNCG

137 - Wofford
159 - Western Carolina
207 - Samford
264 - Mercer
289 - VMI
327 - The Citadel

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
315 - VMI

Current Sagarin Rankings, as of 12-30-19
51 - ETSU
59 - UNCG
86 - Furman
129 - Wofford
152 - Western Carolina
168 - Chattanooga
235 - Samford
282 - The Citadel
281 - Mercer
309 - VMI


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The Road to Asheville (1-1-20)

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. While the Terriers can never be counted out, Massey projects a 76-69 ETSU win in Johnson City.

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 power ranking. Just looking at the rankings on paper, this game should be a no-contest. However, VMI comes in second place in the SoCon in three-pointer 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 defend the three, I agree, and with the students on break, VMI is a much less intimidating place to play.

The day's afternoon games tips off at 3 pm and will feature the #7 Citadel Bulldogs at the #8 Samford Bulldogs. The Citadel ranks number nine in our power poll, while Samford comes in at number seven. This game will open 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 3-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 home.

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 Greensboro, where they have lost only once this season to NC State.

Who are the individual leaders in the SoCon up to this point in the season?  In scoring, WCU's Mason Faulkner leads the pack with 18.6 points per game (ppg), with Samford's Josh Sharkey a point behind, at 17.5 ppg.  For rebounding, it's Mercer's Ethan Stair with 9.6 rebounds per game followed by Western's Carlos Dotson at 8.8 per game. In assists, it's Samford's Josh Sharkey with 9.5 per game, followed by Western's Mason Faulkner and the Citadel's Tyson Batiste at 6.3 assists per game. Free throws are led by Wofford's Nathan Hoover, hitting 94.6% per game (35 of 37), followed by Mercer's Ethan Stair with 88.4% 38 if 43).


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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SoCon Power Rankings (12-29-19)

Monday, December 29, 2019


Here we are with the third power ranking of the season, OCC games are done for the most part, and regular conference action starts on Wednesday, January 1, 2020.

Things will change rapidly once we get into full conference play, good luck to all the SoCon teams.



1. ETSU

2. UNCG

3. Furman

4. Western Carolina

5. Wofford

6. Chattanooga

7. Samford

8. Mercer

9. The Citadel

10. VMI

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Game #13 at The Citadel

For the thirteenth basketball game of the young season, the Cats travel to the South Carolina low country to face the Bulldogs of The Citadel.

The Cats re-enter conference play in Charleston as they face the 6-6 Bulldogs, this will be the second SoCon game for Western, but the third conference tilt for the Bulldogs, as the Citadel plays at Samford on the Wednesday prior to this game.



Game #13 - The Citadel

When: Saturday, January 4, 2020, at 1:00 pm
Where: McAlister Field House (6,000), Charleson, SC
Radio:  Catamount Sports Network
-announcer:  Daniel Hooker (PxP)
TV/video: ESPN+
-announcer- Kyle West (PxP) - Zane Najdawi (Analyst)
Live Stats:  Citadel Live Stats
Fan Message Board: The Citadel Independent Sports Network
The Series: The Cats own a 41-36 overall record against the Bulldogs, but are only 15-20 in games played in Charleston.  The Cats bring a 4 game winning streak against the Dogs into the game and have won 7 of the last 8 games played.

Last season's Record (The Citadel): 12-18 overall, 8-7 home, 4-10 away, 4-14 SoCon

This season's Record (The Citadel):  6-6 overall, 3-3 home, 3-3 away, 0-1 SoCon

Head Coach Duggar Baucom, who is in his fifth season with the Bulldogs, returned only two starters from last season's 4-14 team in conference play. Returning for the Bulldogs is guard, Connor Kern & forward 3 Hayden Brown. The Bulldogs were picked to finish 9th in both the coaches and media poll.

While the Cats have the week off, the Bulldog play at Samford on January 1st prior to the WCU game. The Bulldogs are scoring 85.1 points per game, currently leading the conference in scoring, however, they also lead the conference in most points given up, at 97.2 per game.  The Bulldogs have 4 players averaging double-figure scoring, led by junior forward Hayden Brown (6'5"/225) with 15.4 points per game (PPG), closely followed by junior guard Kaiden Rice (6'6"/185) with 15 ppg. Senior guard Kaelon Harris (6'3"/215) is putting up 14 ppg and freshman guard Fletcher Abee (6'2"/180) is hitting 11.3 ppg.

We know these are two strong 3-point shooting teams and it could well be the team that is hitting those threes on Saturday that will walk away with the victory.  Either team could have a cold 3-point day, that's why the Cats need to take better care of the ball and stop all those unforced turnovers. At this point in the season, the Bulldogs and Cats have played two common opponents, UNCA which beat the Bulldogs in Charleston to open the season, 76-91 and Piedmont College wich the Dogs beat, 129-83.

The Bulldogs are averaging only 586 per game up to this point in the season, and the student body will still be on break for this game, so what can be a difficult place to play with the cadets in the stands, should be a much better atmosphere for the Cats this year in McAlister Field House.


Citadel probable starters:
PG - TYSON BATISTE  • Gr. • Springfield, Mo  •  6.1 
G - FLETCHER ABEE  • Fr. • Morganton, N.C • 11.3 ppg
G - KAIDEN RICE  •Jr. • Columbia, S.C. • 15 ppg
F/G - KAELON HARRIS  • Sr. • Atlanta, Ga • 14.1 ppg
F - EDDIE DAVIS, III  • Gr. • Las Vegas, Nev • 8.6 ppg

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WCU Player of the Game (Piedmont)

Purple & Gold's Player of the Game for the Piedmont College game is..........  




The Player of the Game is Carlos Dotson

                                                                       

Senior forward Carlos Dotson completed another double/double in the game against Piedmont College.  In addition to Carlos' 13 points, he hauled down 12 rebounds, 9 defensive and 3 offensive rebounds.  In scoring, he hit 4 of 7 field goals and went 5 of 7 at the free-throw line.  He also had one steal during the game.

Thanks for giving us another game to remember, and keep up those double/doubles.

Purple & Gold congratulates Carlos Dotson on his accomplishments in the Piedmont College game.


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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Catamount Nation, from your friends at Purple & Gold

Lauren LaPlant

Western Carolina women's basketball player Lauren LaPlant has been named the General Shale Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for all competition from Dec. 18-22. The selection is made by the league office. In the pair of games this past week the red-shirt junior, averaged 13 points per game scoring 10 points against Tennessee Tech and 16 against Winthrop. She hit five three-pointers in the pair of games including four against Winthrop. She is currently averaging 10.5 points per game and has scored in double figures in the last five games and six of the last seven.

Courtesy Catamount Sports            

SoCon Basketball Power Rankings (12-24-19)

December 24, 2019


Here we are with the second power ranking of the season, OCC games are about to give way to conference play.

Things will change rapidly once we get into full conference play, good luck to all the SoCon teams.




1. UNCG

2. Furman

3. ETSU

4. Western Carolina

5. Wofford

6. Samford

7. Chattanooga

8. Mercer

9. The Citadel

10. VMI

WCU Player of the Game (Tennessee Tech)

Purple & Gold's Player of the Game for the Tennessee Tech game is..........

Mason Faulkner

The WCU Purple & Gold Player of the Game is Mason Faulkner

                                                                       

Junior guard Mason Faulkner led four Catamounts scoring in double figures and picked up another double/double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Faulkner came close to the elusive triple/double with a game-high 7 assists and topped that with two steals. The floor general's scoring breaks down to scoring 5 of 8 field-goal attempts, hitting 2 from beyond the three-point line, and 4 for 4 from the free-throw line.  Great game Mason.


Thanks for giving us another game to remember.

Purple & Gold congratulates Mason Faulkner on his accomplishments in the Tennessee Tech game.




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WCU Baseball Schedule

SoCon Basketball Power Rankings

December 15, 2019

This year's first power rankings after six weeks of play.  The top 3 are not a surprise, but number 4 has surprised a lot of folks.




1.  Furman 

2.  UNCG

3.  ETSU

4.  Western Carolina

5.  Wofford 

6.  Samford

7.  Chattanooga

8.  Mercer

9.  The Citadel 

10. Virginia Military Institute

Carlos Dotson - SoCon Player of the Week

Western Carolina senior forward Carlos Dotson was today named the Southern Conference Player of the Week presented by GEICO for contests played Dec. 2-9. The award is selected by the league office and is the first for Dotson in his WCU career.

He is the second Catamount to win SoCon Player of the Week honors this season, joining redshirt junior guard Mason Faulkner who claimed the honor on Nov. 19 and Nov. 26.

Coach Prosser's Asheville post game comments

Asheville post-game comments from Coach Prosser https://t.co/rljkXmFSEs

— CatamountSportsForum (@CatSportsForum) December 10, 2019

WCU Players of the Game (Asheville)

Purple & Gold's Player of the Game for the UNC Asheville game are..........
                                                                  

The Players of the Game is Carlos Dotson

Carlos Dotson

Senior forward Carlos Dotson completed a double/double, his third straight double-double with a team-best 16 points and 11 rebounds, 10 coming on the defensive glass. Dotson was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field, the first Catamount to shoot 1.000 from the field with five or more shots since Marc Gosselin accomplished the feat on Dec. 8, 2018, at UNC Asheville.

Thanks for giving the fans a game to remember.
 

Purple & Gold congratulates Carlos Dotson his accomplishments in the UNC Asheville Bulldogs game.



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Mason Faulkner

Courtesy Catamount Athletics

This weekend in Cullowhee

WCU Players of the Game (Chattanooga)

Purple & Gold's Co-Players of the Game for the Chattanooga game are..........
                                                                  

The  Co-Players of the Game are Mason Faulkner and Carlos Dotson

Carlos Dotson

Mason Faulkner

Junior guard Mason Faulkner scored a game and career-high 31 points. Mason also had 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The floor general's scoring breaks down to hitting 8 of 19 field-goal attempts, hitting 3 of 8 three-point attempts, and made 12 of 16 attempts from the free-throw line.  Great game Mason.

Senior forward Carlos Dotson completed a double/double, scoring 21 points and pulling down a game-high of 12 rebounds, Carlos hit 10 of 11 field-goal attempts and made 1 of 3 attempts from the free-throw line. 

Thanks for giving the fans a game to remember.
 

Purple & Gold congratulates Mason Faulkner & Carlos Dotson on their accomplishments in the first Chattanooga Mocs game of the season.



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Jewel Smalls Repeats as SoCon WBB Player of the Week

. @catamountwbb Jewel Smalls Repeats as @soconsports Player of the Week https://t.co/YD7VWsQMCu

— Catamount Athletics (@Catamounts) December 3, 2019