SoCon Basketball Saturday (1-2-21)

Saturday, January 2, 2021 

There are five games scheduled for Saturday, with all teams scheduled for action, unless COVID-19 interferes. Not sure of the status of the Citadel for Saturday, since they missed the Wednesday night scheduled game with UNCG. So, right now, four teams have one conference win (Furman, Samford, Wofford, & ETSU), four teams have one loss (WCU, Chattanooga, Mercer, and VMI), and two teams have not played a conference game. 

 

1:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Chattanooga (9-1) at VMI (5-4)
Cameron Hall - Lexington, VA
-our pic, Mocs by 6

1:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Citadel (7-0) at Western Carolina (7-3)
Ramsey Center - Cullowhee, NC
-our pick, Cats by 8

2:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Mercer (7-2) at Furman (7-3)
Timmons Arena - Greenville, SC
-our pick, Paladins by 10

5:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
ETSU (5-4) at UNCG (5-3)
Greensboro Coliseum - Greensboro, NC
-our pick, UNCG by 5

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Samford (4-3) at Wofford (4-3)
Richardson Indoor Stadium - Spartanburg, SC
-our pick, Terriers by 8

SoCon MBB Power Rankings (12-28-20)

Each Monday, we will post our power ranking based on the previous week's games.

Now looking into the sixth week of play, these rankings are based on preseason and actual gameplay.  Given that, here's our fifth ranking of the season.

Power ranking - 
1- Chattanooga
2- Furman
3- Mercer
4- Wofford 
5- UNCG
6- WCU

7- ETSU
8- Samford
9- Citadel
10- VMI



                                                               

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SoCon Basketball Tuesday (12-29-20)

Tuesday & Wednesday - December 29, 2020

It's tip-off day on Tuesday 12-29-20 for Southern Conference MBB action. Wofford & Mercer play a day early, thanks to ESPNU, and the remainder of the conference action unfolds on Wednesday with four games. The premier game will be the preseason #1 Furman at league-leading Chattanooga (9-0).  Here are the games and our picks. 

Tuesday, December 29, 2020
7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPNU
Wofford (3-3) at Mercer (7-1)
Hawkins Arena - Macon, GA
-my pick, the Bears by 4 points


Wednesday, Dec 30, 2020
1:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Furman (6-3) at Chattanooga (9-0)
McKenzie Arena - Chattanooga, TN
-my pick, the Paladins by 5 points

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Western Carolina (7-2) at ETSU (4-4)
Freedom Hall - Johnson City, TN
-my pick, the Cats by 2 points

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
UNCG (5-3) at The Citadel (7-0)
McAlister Field House - Charleston, SC
-my pick, the Spartans by 6 points

8:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
VMI (5-4) at Samford (4-3)
Pete Hanna Center - Birmingham, AL
-my pick, the Bulldogs by 6 points

Merry Christmas to our Catamount Family

 

Game #10 - East Tennessee State

After Christmas break, the Catamounts will remain on the road to tip-off Southern Conference basketball action in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Cats and Bucs will face off in Freedom Hall for the 80th overall basketball game between the two schools 

When: Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at 7 pm
Where:   Freedom Hall, Johnson City, TN 

Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers:   Gary Ayers, play by play - Daniel Hooper, color

TV/video:  ESPN+ 

-announcers:  Mike Gallagher & Bruce Tranbarger   

Official Athletic Site:  ETSUBucs

ETSU Fan Message Board:  Buccaneer Nation

The Series: In a series that started in 1947, the Cats are 24-55 and have lost the last 11 straight games to the Bucs, last beating the Bucs in 2015 in Asheville. That win broke a 15 game losing streak against ETSU. 

Bucs' record last season (2019-20): 30-4 overall, 16-2  conf., 16-1 home, 11-3 away, 3-0 neutral

Bucs' record this season (2020-21): 4-4 overall, 3-1 home, 0-1 away, 1-2 neutral

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -     ETSU   

Head Coach:  Jason Shay
Jason Shay's Record at ETSU:    4-4  /  1st season

Key Returners: Vonnie Patterson
Key Losses: Patrick Good, Isaiah Tisdale, Jeromy Rodriguez, Lucas N'Guessan, Tray Boyd III, Joe Hugley
Key Newcomers: Ledarrius Brewer (SEMO), Ty Brewer (SELA), Silas Adheke (Northern Kentucky), David Sloan (Kansas State), Serrel Smith Jr.  (Maryland)

The ETSU men’s basketball team was picked to finish third in the SoCon preseason polls.  Brothers Ledarrius and Ty Brewer landed spots on the Preseason All-Conference Team despite not playing in a league game. 

The 2020-21 Buc roster has a much different look as ETSU lost all five starters and return only three players that saw minutes from last year’s championship squad – Vonnie Patterson, Charlie Weber, and Jordan Coffin.  Overall, the Bucs lost 95% of their scoring, 89% of their rebounding and 90% of their minutes from last season’s team who became the fourth squad in SoCon history to win 30 games in a season.  

Where did they go?  ETSU graduated five of their top eight leading scorers in Tray Boyd III (13.6 ppg), Isaiah Tisdale (9.2), Jeromy Rodriguez (9.1) and Lucas N’Guessan (8.9). Guard Bo Hodges (12.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg) transferred to Butler and guard Daivien Williamson (10.4 ppg, 2.6 apg) transferred to Wake Forest with Coach Forbes and his staff.  Patrick Good decided to opt-out in late September. 

Jason Shay moved from assistant to head coach after Steve Forbes was named head coach at Wake Forest.  Despite all the changes, the cupboard is not bare for Coach Shay. He brought in four NCAA Division I transfers, Silas Adheke (Northern Kentucky), Ledarrius Brewer (Southeast Missouri State), Ty Brewer (Southeastern Louisiana), and Serrel Smith (Maryland) have combined to play in 230 games (109 starts), totaling 1,687 points, 817 rebounds, 168 assists, 143 steals and 75 blocks.  Ledarrius, sat out the 2019-20 season, while Ty transferred this past April after playing his first two years at Southeastern Louisiana. The Brewer duo combined for 1,542 points, 637 rebounds, 138 assists, 131 steals, and 65 blocks in 131 games at the Division I level.    

While the Bucs got off to a shaky start, losing 3 of the first 4 games, they then put up wins in the next three starts but fell to Alabama on Tuesday night. The Cats have not won in Johnson City since February 24, 1996.  

WCU Probable Starters:

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SoCon Basketball Tuesday (12-22-20)

Tuesday, December 22, 2020 

Five games are on the SoCon schedule for Tuesday with everybody except the Citadel on the road. The premier game of the night looks to be ETSU at Alabama. We're picking at least four wins for the day, but the most difficult win would be at Alabama.


2:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Mercer (6-1) at Kennesaw State (3-4)
KSU Convocation Center - Kennesaw, GA
-my pick, Bears by 10


3:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Presbyterian (2-1) at The Citadel (6-0)
McAlister Field House - Charleston, SC
-my pick, Bulldogs by 5


3:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Chattanooga (8-0) at Tennessee State (1-3)
Gentry Center - Nashville, TN
-my pick, Mocs by 8


7:00 PM ET - Watch on Aggies All-Access
UNCG (4-3) at NC A&T (3-8)
Corbett Sports Center - Greensboro, NC
-my pick, Spartans by 10


7:30 PM ET - Watch on SECN+
ETSU (4-3) at Alabama (4-3)
Coleman Coliseum - Tuscaloosa, AL
-my pick, Tide by 10

SoCon MBB Power Rankings (12-21-20)

Each Monday, we will post our power ranking based on the previous week's games.

Now looking into the fifth week of play, these rankings are based on preseason and actual gameplay.  Given that, here's our fourth ranking of the season.

Power ranking - 
1- Chattanooga
2- Furman
3- Mercer
4- Wofford 
5- Western Carolina
6- UNCG

7- ETSU
8- Citadel
9- VMI
10- Samford




                                                               

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SoCon Basketball Monday (12-21-20)

Monday, December 21, 2020 

No games scheduled for Sunday, but there are four on Monday. Both VMI & Wofford draw tough opponents for their road trips.  VMI faces in-state rival George Mason, and Wofford traveling to Texas to face the Aggies of Texas A&M. Furman and Samford are both on their home courts with substantially softer opponents, as the Paladins host SC State and Samford plays Division III Belhaven in the Hanner Center.


1:00 PM ET  Watch on ESPN+
VMI (5-3) at George Mason (2-1)
EagleBank Arena - Fairfax, VA
-my pick, George Mason by 4

1:00 PM ET  -  Watch on SECN
Wofford (3-2) at Texas A&M (4-1)
Reed Arena - College Station, TX
-my pick, Texas A&M by 5

4:00 PM ET  - Watch on ESPN+
SC State (0-9) at Furman (5-3)
Timmons Arena - Greenville, SC
-my pick, Furman by 25 

8:00 PM ET   -  Watch on ESPN+
Belhaven at Samford (3-3)
Pete Hanna Center - Birmingham, AL
-my pick, Bulldogs by 30

SoCon Basketball Saturday (12-19-20)

Saturday, December 19, 2020 

Six games are on the SoCon schedule today, in what is mostly a travel day for SoCon teams, as all but ETSU is on the road. Today would be and outstanding day for the SoCon to flex it's basketball muscles, and sweep the competition.


12:30 PM ET  - Watch on ESPN+
Citadel (5-0) at Longwood (1-5)
Willett Hall - Farmville, VA
- my pick, the Bulldogs by 1

1:00 PM ET - Watch on FloSports
UNCG (3-3) at Elon (3-0)
Schar Center - Elon, NC
- my pick, the Spartans by 4

3:00 PM ET - Watch on C-USA TV
Chattanooga (7-0) at UAB (7-0)
Bartow Arena - Birmingham, AL
- my pick, UAB by 3

4:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Lee University at ETSU (3-3)
Freedom Hall Civic Center - Johnson City, TN
- my pick, Bucs by 25

4:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Furman (5-2) at Winthrop (4-0)
Winthrop Coliseum - Rock Hill, SC
- my pick, Furman by 5

4:30 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Samford (2-3) at Kennesaw State (3-3)
KSU Convocation Center - Kennesaw, GA
- my pick, Furman by 5

WCU Player of the Game (Charleston)

Purple & Gold's  "Player of the Game" for the Charleston Cougars game is ..... 

Cory Hightower

                                             

                           
                                              

Purple & Gold 's  "WCU Player of the Game" is Cory Hightower

In his first game of eligibility as a Catamount, junior transfer  Cory Hightower is our WCU Player of the Game.  Cory scored a game high 17 points off the bench to lead the Cats to an overtime win over the Cougars in Charleston, SC.  This was the Cats fourth overtime win this season.  

Hightower scored 17 points,  one of five Cats to score in double figures in the game.  He completed 4 of 11 from the floor,  but wen 9 of 9 from the charity stripe. He pulled down 7 rebounds, and made 4 assists.  The win takes the Cats to 7-1 on the season.                                                                                                                        

Purple & Gold congratulates Cory Hightower on his accomplishments in the College of Charleston game.

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SoCon Basketball Thursday & Friday (12-17 & 18)

Thursday & Friday, December 17 & 18, 2020 

There are only a few games on the schedule for the next couple of days. Today ETSU plays at home for the single SoCon contest, while on Friday, after the postponement of an ETSU game, only VMI and WCU both travel to meet decent competition. The Keydets will face the Running Bulldogs of GWU at noon and the Cats travel to Charleston to face former SoCon member, College of Charleston. Two wins would be very good for the SoCon, however, both games will be tough.

Thursday 

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Columbia International at ETSU (2-3, 1-1 Home)
Freedom Hall - Johnson City, TN
-my pick, Bucs by 35

Friday
12:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
VMI (5-2, 0-2 Away) at Gardner-Webb (0-3, 0-0 Home)
Paul Porter Arena - Boiling Springs, NC
-my pick, Keydets by 1

7:00 PM ET - Watch on FLOSports
Western Carolina (6-1, 2-0 Away) at Charleston (2-3, 2-2 Home)
TD Arena - Charleston, SC
my pick, Cats by 5

Postponed
Virginia-Wise at East Tennessee State (2-3, 1-1 Home)

Game #9 - College of Charleston Cougars

The Cats continue their trip, this time to to the South Carolina low country and Charleston, SC to face former SoCon opponent and now CAA member College of Charleston. 

When: Friday, December 18, 2020, at 7 pm
Where:   TD Arena 

Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers:  Gary Ayers, play by play

TV/video:  FloSports  (subscription):   

Conference: CAA
Official Athletic Site:   CoCSports
Nickname: Cougars
Location: Charleston, SC 
Colors: Maroon and White

Students: 10,488
Charleston Fan Message Board: CoC Fans

The Series: The Cats have an overall record of 7-23 versus the Cougars.  The Series first started in 1953. The Cats are in a seven-game losing streak to the Cougars and have not won in Charleston since 2008.

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -     Charleston   (posted once available)
Head Coach: Earl Grant
Earl Grant's Record at CoC:    119-82 / 7th year

Cougar's record last season (2019-20): 17-14 overall, 11-7  conf., 10-5 home, 6-6 away, 1-3 neutral
Cougar's record this season (2020-21): 2-3 overall, 2-2 home, 0-1 away

Key Returners: Brevin Galloway, Zep Jasper, Osinachi Smart, DeAngelo Epps
Key Losses: Grant Riller, Jaylen McManus, Sam Miller
Key Newcomers: Payton Willis (Minnesota), Lorenzo Edwards (St. Joseph’s), Cam Copeland (JUCO), D’Avian Houston, RJ Ogom, Keegan Harvey

Picked to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). The Cougars will come into the game having dropped 2 of their last 3,  but are coming off a 90-53 win over SC State. The Cougars did play Furman in early December, falling to the Paladin, 57-87 in Charleston. 

Last season's record was a step back for Coach Grant, both in terms of record (17-14) and KenPom ranking (slid to 170th, his worst since his first campaign). A large part of the Cougars’ decline has been the defensive side of the ball, where Charleston has gotten worse every year for five straight seasons, going from 20th in 2016 to 229th last year. The 2016 defensive squad was able to pressure heavily and dominate the defensive glass; in 2020, the Cougars did neither. Grant’s scheme has stayed mostly the same – man-to-man, with an emphasis on taking away transition opportunities and forcing foes to execute in the half-court – but the quality of personnel has declined.

Graduate senior and top returning player Brevin Galloway is out for the remainder of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury it was announced Monday.  The 6-foot-2 guard and team captain tore the ACL in his left knee after playing in eight minutes with 13 points in the first half of play against South Carolina State on Dec. 11.

If transfers Willis, Edwards, and Copeland can contribute right away, the Cougars may have the offensive balance they need to compete in the CAA. Defensively, it's still a question mark.

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SoCon Basketball Wednesday (12-16-20)

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Three games on the schedule, with the potential for 3 SoCon wins. I'm confident in the Mocs and Bulldogs, but Mercer will have some difficulty with Ga State in Atlanta. The Bears have an impressive record this season against Georgia based teams, having beat Georgia Tech, North Georgia, Georgia Southern, and Ga State once this season in Macon. 

 
6:00 PM ET ESPN+
Mercer (6-0, 2-0 Away) at Georgia State (3-1, 1-0 Home)
GSU Sports Arena - Atlanta, GA
-my pick, Mercer by 1

7:00 PM ET ESPN+
UNCA (3-2, 0-0 Away) at Chattanooga (6-0, 3-0 Home)
McKenzie Arena - Chattanooga, TN
-my pick, Mocs by 10

7:00 PM ET ESPN+
Samford (2-2, 1-1 Away) at Troy (3-3, 1-0 Home)
Trojan Arena - Troy, AL
-my pick, Bulldogs by 5

SoCon Basketball Tuesday (12-15-20)

Tuesday, December 15, 2020 

With no games scheduled for Monday, we'll look to the Tuesday schedule where we have a total of 6 games. Unfortunately, all games are scheduled for late evening/night, so it'll be difficult to watch more than a couple of the games, however, all the ESPN+ games will be available for replay later in the night (5 of the 6 games). The SoCon takes on the SEC, A-10, Sun Belt, Big South, MECA, as well as one non-DI game. The two premier games should be WCU at VCU & the Furman at Alabama game.


6:00 PM ET ESPN+
Coastal Carolina (4-0) at Wofford (2-2)
Richardson Indoor Stadium - Spartanburg, SC

7:00 PM ET ESPN+
USC Upstate (0-6) at UNCG (2-3)
Greensboro Coliseum - Greensboro, NC
-my pick, Spartans by 16

7:00 PM ET ESPN+
Campbellsville-Harrodsburg at VMI (4-2)
Cameron Hall - Lexington, VA
-my pick, Keydets by 45

7:00 PM ET ESPN+
Western Carolina (6-1) at VCU (5-2)
Siegel Center - Richmond, VA
-my pick, Rams by 10

7:00 PM ET ESPN+
Gardner-Webb (0-2) at ETSU (1-3)
Freedom Hall Civic Center - Johnson City, TN
-my pick - Bucs by 6

9:00 PM ET SECN
Furman (5-1) at Alabama (3-2)
Coleman Coliseum - Tuscaloosa, AL
-my pick, Alabama by 4

SoCon MBB Power Rankings (12-14-20)

Each Monday, we will post our power ranking based on the previous week's games.

Now looking into our fourth week of play, these rankings are based on preseason and actual gameplay.  Given that, here's our third of the season, power ranking.

Power ranking - 
1- Furman
2- Chattanooga
3- Mercer
4- Wofford 
5- Western Carolina
6- UNCG

7- ETSU
8- Samford
9- VMI
10- Citadel




                                                               

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Game #8 - Virginia Commonwealth University

The Cats continue their travels, this time to Richmond, VA to face A-10 opponent, Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (VCU). 

When: Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 7 pm
Where:   Stuart C. Siegel Center, Richmond, VA

Radio: VCU radio  910 The Fan
-announcers:  Robby Robinson (pxp) & Rodney Ashby (color)

TV/video:  ESPN+

-announcers:   Scott Jackson (play-by-play) and John Feinstein (color)
Conference: A-10
Official Athletic Site:   VCU Athletics
Nickname: Rams 
Location: Richmond, VA
Mascot: Rodney the Ram
Colors: Black & Gold (Yellow)
Students: 29,417
VCU Fan Message Board:  Rams Nation

The Series: This will be the 5th meeting between the two teams in a series that was first played in 1970s. WCU is currently 0-4 overall in the series.

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -     VCU   
Head Coach: Mike Rhodes
Rhodes Record at VCU:   61-36 / 4nd year

Ram's record last season (2019-20): 18-13 overall, 8-10  conf., 14-4 home, 4-7 away, 0-2 neutral
Ram's record this season (2020-21): 5-2 overall, 3-0 home, 0-1 away, 2-1 neutral. 

VCU lost five of its top six scorers from a year ago, with longtime stars De’Riante Jenkins, Marcus Evans, and Issac Vann graduating along with sixth man Mike’L Simms. In addition, VCU’s leading scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker, Marcus Santos-Silva, transferred to Texas Tech during the offseason. 

The Rams have only one returning starter from last season, a four-star recruit from Delaware, sophomore guard Nah’Shon Hyland. Hyland started the final nine games of the 2019-20 campaign and averaged 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.  With so many players graduating in 2020, the Rams welcome four freshmen to the team this season. Of the newcomers, the one gathering the most hype is four-star point guard Adrian “Ace” Baldwin.

VCU’s full-court press has been its signature for more than a decade. The Rams ranked sixth nationally in turnover per- centage (24.5) last season, and VCU’s 278 steals ranked 10th nationally. The Rams forced 25 or more turnovers in a game three times last season. The Rams have picked up where they left off in 2019-20. VCU has turned opponents over on 25% of possessions. The Rams have at least 15 turnovers in every game, including a season-high 22 on Dec. 5 against Mount St. Mary’s. 

Key Returners: Nah'Shon Hyland, KeShawn Curry, Vince Williams, Corey Douglas

Key Newcomers: Levi Stockard III (Kansas State), Adrian ‘Ace’ Baldwin, Mikeal Brown-Jones, Josh Banks, Jamir Watkins

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SoCon Basketball Sunday (12-13-20)

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Three games on the Sunday schedule, all DI opponents. 

In-state, Big South opponent Hampton travels to Lexington to play the Keydets, while another Virginia team, Norfolk State of the MEAC travels to the Greensboro Coliseum to face the Spartans. Rounding out the day, former SoCon member Georgia Southern hosts in-state rival Mercer in the Hanner Fieldhouse in Macon, Ga. in what should be the premier game today in the SoCon.

This should be all good games today, with hopefully, three SoCon wins.


1:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Hampton (1-1) at VMI (3-2)
Cameron Hall - Lexington, VA
- my pick, VMI by 6


2:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Norfolk State (3-1) at UNCG (1-3)
Greensboro Coliseum - Greensboro, NC
-my pick, UNCG by 9


6:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Mercer (5-0) at Georgia Southern (3-1)
W. S. Hanner Fieldhouse - Statesboro, GA
-my pick, Mercer by 5

WCU Player of the Game (NC A&T)

Purple & Gold's  "Player of the Game" for the NC A&T game is ..... 

Xavier Cork

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Purple & Gold 's  "WCU Player of the Game" is Xavier Cork

Sophomore Xavier Cork did it on both sides of the ball, completing a double-double, scoring 22 points, and pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds, to lead the Cats to an overtime win over the Aggies of NC A&T in Greensboro.  This was the Cats third overtime win this season.  

Cork scored 22 points,  one of three Cats to score 20 or more points in the game.  Cork completed 10 for 12 from the floor, 2 of 5 from the charity stripe. He pulled down 14 rebounds, 7 offensive and 7 defensive.  Cork made 4 assists and blocked 3 shots.  The win takes the Cats to 6-1 on the season.                                                                                                                        

Purple & Gold congratulates Xavier Cork on his accomplishments in the North Carolina A&T State game.

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SoCon Basketball Saturday (12-12-20)

Saturday, December 12, 2020 

Right now, we have 6 games scheduled for Saturday, but with the way games are being canceled and postponed, we won't know how many will be played until game time. The SoCon certainly has the opportunity to shine on Saturday with games against South Florida, NC A&T, UAB, and Georgia. Georgia is the big prize, but can the Samford Bulldogs win? 

12:00 PM ET Watch on ESPNN 
Wofford (2-1) vs. South Florida (3-2)
Pit Boss Grills Holiday Hoopsgiving

State Farm Arena - Atlanta, GA
-my pick, Terriers by 4


2:00 PM ET Watch on ESPN+
North Georgia at Chattanooga (5-0)
McKenzie Arena - Chattanooga, TN
-my pick, Mocs by 20


2:00 PM ET Watch on ESPN+
Flagler at Furman (4-1)
Timmons Arena - Greenville, SC
-my pick, Paladins by 22


4:00 PM ET Watch on Aggies All-Access
Western Carolina (5-1) at NC A&T (2-6)
Corbett Sports Center - Greensboro, NC
-my pick, Cats by 8


4:00 PM ET Watch on ESPN+
UAB (5-0) at ETSU (1-2)
Freedom Hall - Johnson City, TN
-my pick, Bucs by 1


7:00 PM ET Watch on SECN+
Samford (2-1) at Georgia (4-0)
Stegeman Coliseum - Athens, GA
my pick, Georgia by 10

Game #7 - NC A&T

The Cats travel to Greensboro to face the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State. This is a return game of lasts season's game in Cullowhee, which the Cats won by a final score of  90-64.  The NC A&T Aggies are currently members of the MECA but move to the Big South next season. 

When: Sunday, December 12, 2020, at 4 pm
Where: Corbett Sports Center, Greensboro, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers, play by play & Daniel Hooker, color
TV/video: Aggies All-Access
-announcers: 
Conference: Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC)
Official Athletic Site: NC A&T Aggies
Nickname: Aggies 
Location: Greensboro, NC
Mascot: Aggies the Bulldog
Colors: Blue & Gold (Yellow)
Students: 13,042
NC A&T Fan Message Board: A&T Fan Forum

The Series: This will be the 11th meeting between the two teams in a series that was first played in 1965. WCU is currently 4-6 overall in the series, winning last season's game in Cullowhee by a final score of 90-64.  The Cats are 1-3 in games played at NC A&T,  

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -     NC A&T
Head Coach: Will Jones 
Record at NC A&T: 16-9 / 2nd year

Aggie's record last season (2019-20): 17-15 overall, 12-4  conf., 11-1 home, 4-12 away, 2-2 neutral
Aggie's record this season (2020-21): 2-6 overall, 0-1 home, 1-3 away, 1-2 neutral

The Aggies were picked to finish second in the southern division of the MECA, behind NC Central and senior guard Kameron Langley was selected as the MECA preseason player of the year. Langley led the nation in assists per game and total assists last season. Langley had 632 career assists. He needs 187 assists to move into the top-25 all-time in Division I men's basketball history.

Key Returners: Kameron Langley, Fred Cleveland Jr., Kwe Parker, Tyrone Lyons, Tyler Maye
Key Newcomers: Blake Harris (NC State), Quentin Jones (JUCO), Tyler Jones (UMES), Jeremy Robinson (JUCO), Milton Matthews III, David Greer (JUCO), Kenyon Duling 

The Aggies are on a 4 game losing streak since beating Charleston Southern by 7 points back on December 1st. The Aggies have dropped games to the Citadel, Stanford, Longwood, and VCU. The Stanford and VCU losses were expected, however, Longwood lost to Division III Greensboro College just prior to playing the Aggies. Longwood beat A&T by a total of 17 points.  

Junior guard Blake Harris & senior Kameron Langley are leading scoring for the Aggies, averaging 9 points each per game, with Langley the top rebounder pulling down 5 rebounds per game. The team as a whole is averaging scoring 64 points per game.

Massey has the Cats ranked as a 7 point favorite and a 72% chance of winning.

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SoCon Basketball Thursday (12-10-20)

SoCon Basketball Wednesday (12-9-20)

Only two games on the schedule today as UNCG travels to Baltimore, MD, and we will also get a peek at SoCon play as Mercer travels to Lexington to face the Keydets at home in the opening of conference play for VMI/Mercer. The Wofford at South Carolina game was canceled due to Covid19.


7:00 PM ET - Watch on Coppin State Live Stream
UNCG (1-2, 0-0 Away) at Coppin State (0-4, 0-0 Home)
Physical Education Complex - Baltimore, MD


*7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+ 

Mercer (5-0, 0-0 SoCon) at VMI (3-2, 0-0 SoCon)
Cameron Hall - Lexington, VA

**the Mercer at VMI game has been postponed due to Covid19 concerns. (Not sure which team is on lockdown)

SoCon Basketball Wednesday (12-9-20)

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Three games on the schedule for Wednesday. The evening looks good for a SoCon sweep.

5:00 PM ET ESPN+
Furman (4-0) at Cincinnati (1-1)
Fifth Third Arena - Cincinnati, OH


7:00 PM ET ESPN+
Carver College at Citadel (4-0)
McAlister Field House - Charleston, SC


7:00 PM ET ESPN+
Chattanooga (4-0) at Bellarmine (1-1)
Knights Hall - Louisville, KY


Canceled due to Covid19 with Alabama State -
Alabama State (0-0) at Samford (2-1)
Pete Hanna Center - Birmingham, AL

SoCon Basketball Tuesday (12-8-20)

 December 6, 2020

Only two games on the Tuesday schedule.  Greensboro College, who upset DI Longwood Sunday, travels to Lexington to face the Keydets. ETSU goes on the road to face the Bulldogs of UNCA in Asheville's Harrah's Cherokee Center.  Both teams are 1-2 on the season. 

5:00 PM ET  - Watch on ESPN+
Greensboro at VMI  (2-2)
Cameron Hall - Lexington, VA


7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
ETSU (1-2) at  UNCA (1-2)
Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville, NC