SoCon MBB Tournament Seedings

The SoCon MBB Tournament Seedings


First-round  //  Friday, March 5
Game 1 (#8 seed) Citadel vs. (#9 seed) Western Carolina
Game 2 (#7 seed) Mercer vs. (#10 seed) Samford 

Quarterfinals  //  Saturday, March 6
Game 3 (#1 seed) UNCG vs. Game 1 winner
Game 4 (#4 seed) Chattanooga vs. (#5 seed) ETSU
Game 5 (#2 seed) Wofford vs. Game 2 winner
Game 6 (#3 seed) Furman vs. (#6 seed) VMI

Game #26 - Mercer

The Catamounts and Bears close out the 2020-21 regular season on Saturday as Mercer visits at the Ramsey Center at 1 p.m. for the second game of the series. The Cats dropped a heartbreaker to the Bears in Macon by a final score of 76-78. Senior Day in Cullowhee, and prior to Saturday's game, WCU seniors Mason Faulkner, Matt Halvorsen, and Marcus Thomas will be honored in a special pregame ceremony.

When: Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 1 pm
Where: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Radio:  Catamount Sports Network
-announcers:  Gary Ayers

TV/video: ESPN+

-announcers: Daniel Hooker (Play by Play), Jeff Bryson (Color Analyst)

Official Athletic Site:  Mercer Bears
Bears Fan Message Board:  MU Bear Down

The Series: In a series that started in 1978 with the Bears, the Catamounts and Bears meet for the 22nd time with Mercer holding an 11-10 edge in the all-time series. The teams split the regular-season series last season.

Bears' record this season (2020-21): 15-9 overall, 9-4 home, 6-5 away,  8-8 SoCon 

Bears' record last season (2019-20): 17-15 overall, 11-7 SoCon, 9-6 home, 8-6 away, 0-3 neutral

Game Notes:       Western Carolina       -        Mercer  

Mark Prosser's record vs. Mercer:   3-5

Mercer Head Coach:  Greg Gary

Record at Mercer:   34-21  /  2d season

Key Returners: Ross Cummings, Jeffrey Gary, Maciej Bender, Kamar Robertson, James Glisson III
Key Losses: Djordje Dimitrijevic, Ethan Stair
Key Newcomers: Neftali Alvarez (Fairfield), Felipe Haase (South Carolina) 

The Bears come into this game on a two-game win streak, having won 3 of the last four games played. With a win over the Bears, the Cats will move into the 9th seed and a loss puts them in the 10th seed, a win by Mercer will secure the No. 6 seed for the tournament for the Bears, while a loss will put them in 7th.  

Mercer is averaging 78.4 points per game (4th in SoCon) and holding opponents to an average of 72.9 ppg (6th in SoCoCon), hitting 48.7% of their field goal attempts and 38% of 3-point attempts. The Bears average 70% of their attempts from the charity stripe as a team and are turning-over the ball an average of 13 times per game. Mercer has four players currently with scoring averages in double figures, led by Ross Cummings at 14.8 ppg, followed by Neftali Alvarez  with 13.4 ppg, Leon Ayers III  12.1 ppg, Leon Ayers 12.0

If it ended today..... (Feb 25, 2021)

The SoCon MBB Tournament seedings, if the season ended today: Feb. 25, 2021  

The SoCon MBB Tournament Seedings


First-round  //  Friday, March 5
Game 1 (#8 seed) Citadel vs. (#9 seed) Samford
Game 2 (#7 seed) VMI vs. (#10 seed) Western Carolina

Quarterfinals  //  Saturday, March 6
Game 3 (#1 seed) Furman vs. Game 1 winner
Game 4 (#4 seed) ETSU vs. (#5 seed) Chattanooga
Game 5 (#2 seed) UNCG vs. Game 2 winner
Game 6 (#3 seed) Wofford vs. (#6 seed) Mercer

WCU Player of the Game (UNCG)

Purple & Gold's  "Player of the Game" for the UNCG game is 

Purple & Gold's  "WCU Player of the Game" is  Mason Faulkner

Mason scored a game-high 28 points to lead Western's win over UNCG tonight in the Greensboro Coliseum. Hitting 10 of 18 field-goal attempts, 4 of 7 three-pointers, and going 4 for 6 from the free-throw line.  He also pulled down four rebounds, had four assists. 

 Purple & Gold congratulates Mason on his accomplishments in the UNCG game.

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WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. Samford

                                                                                                                   Roster Courtesy WCU Media Relations

Game 5 - Samford

For the Catamount's spring game, the Cats are on the road again as they travel to Birmingham to face the Samford Bulldogs.

Since Samford joined the Southern Conference in 2008, Western is 3-14 against the Bulldogs after last season's 31-13 beatdown by the Dogs in Cullowhee.

Game #5 - Samford

When: Saturday, February 27, 2021 - Time  1:00 pm
Where: Seibert Stadium, Homewood, AL
Radio: none
TV/video: ESPN+

- announcers:  Curt Bloom, pbp & Cole Cubeli, color

Live Stats: Samford Live Stats

The Series: The Cats are 3-14 overall against the Bulldogs since winning the first outing back in 1969. Samford owned an eleven-game winning streak against Western until 2015 when the Cats broke that streak in Cullowhee with a 56-36 win over the Dogs. The Cats are 2-8 in games played in Birmingham. 

Game Notes:   Western Carolina   -    Samford 

Coach Speir is 2-6 as a head coach vs. Samford.

Games that will be played by the Bulldogs this season before the WCU contest:  (1 game)  - The Bulldogs played ETSU on Feb. 20 in Johnson City, coming away with a 17-24 loss to the Bucs.

Last game played vs. Samford: November 16, 2019 - Catamount Football Senior Day Spoiled by Samford, 31-13  Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina struck early in its home finale on Saturday afternoon, jumping out to a 10-0 lead over Samford in the first quarter. However, the usual aerial Bulldog attack was traded for a run-heavy, ball-control effort as back-up QB Liam Welch guided Samford to 24-unanswered points as the visitors outscored WCU 31-3 over the final three frames, spoiling WCU's Senior Day with the 31-13 victory in Southern Conference action at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Head Coach: Chris Hatcher.  Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, 2014. Entering his sixth season at Samford in 2020, Hatcher boasts a career record of 153-83 in 20 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta State. In his time at Samford, his teams have consistently been among the Southern Conference and FCS leaders in several categories.

This Season's Record - 2021 (Samford):  0-1 overall, 0-0 home, 0-1 away, 0-1 SoCon

Last Season's Record - 2019 (Samford): 5-7 overall, 3-2 home, 2-4 away,  4-4 SoCon  

Offensive Formation: Multiple
-2019 Offense: 32.3 ppg. (28th in FCS)
Defensive Formation: 4-3
-2019 Defense: 37.8 ppg. (117th in FCS)
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  6  /  5
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  8  /  3

TOP RETURNING OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
-QB Chris Oladokun (169 cmp., 2,064 yards, 18 TD, 127 rushes, 493 yards, 8 TD)
-RB Jay Stanton (122 rushes, 690 yards, 7 TD, 16 rec., 135 yards, 2 TD)
-WR Montrell Washington (28 rec., 405 yards, 3 TD, 155 Kick Return Yards, 328 Punt Return Yards)

TOP RETURNING DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
-LB John Staton (116 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1 Fumble Recovery)
-LB Nathan East (82 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 4 QB hurries, 3 PBU, 1 Fumble Recovery)
-DB Ty Herring (73 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 INT)

Samford finished the 2019 season with a 5-7 mark, including 4-4 in SoCon play. The Bulldogs found their starting quarterback in Chris Oladokun following the graduation of the league’s all-time passing leader, Devlin Hodges. Oladokun, the South Florida transfer, passed for over 2,000 yards with 18 touchdowns and rushed for 493 yards and eight scores. Samford has finished fourth in the league in back-to-back years, including in 2019 after the Bulldogs started 2-0 in SoCon action before finishing 4-4 on the season. 

The Samford football team had eight players named to nine different spots on the Southern Conference’s preseason All-Conference teams. Montrell Washington was named first-team All-SoCon as both a wide receiver and as a return specialist. Offensive lineman Mike Williams, defensive lineman Armond Lloyd and place-kicker Mitchell Fineran all joined Washington on the first team. Samford’s second-team All-SoCon selections were running back Jay Stanton, linebacker Nathan East, defensive back Ty Herring and punter Bradley Porcellato. The Bulldogs were picked to finish 5th in both preseason polls. 

20121 Samford Statistics   (1 Spring Game)
Rushing Offense: 138 yards
Yards per game: 138 
Yards per rush: 2.6 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 10
TDs rushing:  1
Passing Offense: 231 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 14
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 55-36-2
TDs Passing:  1
Total Offense:  320 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 1 - 0
3d Down Conversions: 8 of 19  42%
4th Down Conversions: 2 of 2   100%
Field goal attempts:  1-1
PAT-Attempts:  2 of 2
Red Zone Scores: 3 of 3 
Red Zone Touchdowns: 2 of 3 

On-Side Kicks:  0 - 0
Penalties-Yards:  4 - 47 yards
Punts-Yards: 8- 289 - Avg. per gm 35
Sacks:  6

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Game #25 - UNCG

The Catamounts travel to Greenboro to face league-leading and 15th ranked (CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25) UNC Greensboro in the away game of a home and home series. 

When: Wednesday, February 24, 2020, at 5 pm
Where:  Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

-announcers:  -   Gary Ayers & Daniel Hooker

TV/video:  ESPN+ 

-announcers:  -  

Official Athletic Site:  UNCG

UNCG Message Board:  UNCGFans

The Series: The Catamounts and Spartans meet for the 57th time in a series that started in 1979. The Cats own a 35-26 record versus the Spartans. WCU is coming into the game off a loss 10 game skid in the series, last winning in Cullowhee in January 2016.  

 

Mark Prosser's record vs. the Spartans:  0-5

UNCG Head Coach: Wes Miller
Wes Miller's Record at UNCG:    179-133   /  10th season

- Wes Miller is 10-7 all-time against Western Carolina.  

Spartan's record this season (2020-21): 17-7 overall, 12-4 SoCon, 7-2 home, 10-3 away, 1-2 neutral

Spartan's record last season (2019-20): 23-9 overall, 13-5  SoCon, 14-4 home, 9-4 away, 0-1 neutral

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -    UNCG

Key Returners: Isaiah Miller, Kaleb Hunter, Keyshaun Langley, Angelo Allegri, Michael Hueitt Jr.
Key Losses: James Dickey, Malik Massey, Kyrin Galloway
Key Newcomers: Jarrett Hensley, AJ McGinnis, Hayden Koval (Central Arkansas)

As a team this season, UNCG is 13th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (13.0), 24th in rebounding (39.8), 31st in total blocked shots (91), and 28th in turnover margin (+3.5). The Spartan total of 915 rebounds is seventh overall. UNCG is 33rd nationally in total steals (166).
 
While senior guard Isaiah Miller has been the headliner for the Spartans, this season has been far from a solo act. Miller (steals), Hayden Koval (blocked shots), and Mohammed Abdulsalam (offensive rebounding) leads the SoCon in those respective categories. 
 
Kaleb Hunter fueled a huge road win at The Citadel with a season-high 22 points. Angelo Allergi's 16 points made the difference in a victory at Mercer. Keyshaun Langley has scored in double figures in five straight games. Kobe Langley has delivered key minutes and grabbed four rebounds in each of UNCG's last two games.
 
During the Spartans' seven-game winning streak, freshmen Jarrett Hensley and A.J. McGinnis delivered critical contributions. Khyre Thompson and Bas Leyte enjoyed shining moments that have enhanced UNCG's season.

The Spartans, are in first place with only two regular-season games remaining. UNCG and Furman have four conference losses each, everybody else has at least six conference losses.
 

----------------------

If it ended today..... (Feb 23, 2021)

The SoCon MBB Tournament seedings, if the season ended today: Feb. 23, 2021  

The SoCon MBB Tournament Seedings


First-round  //  Friday, March 5
Game 1 (#8 seed) Citadel vs. (#9 seed) Samford
Game 2 (#7 seed) Mercer vs. (#10 seed) Western Carolina

Quarterfinals  //  Saturday, March 6
Game 3 (#1 seed) UNCG vs. Game 1 winner
Game 4 (#4 seed) Chattanooga vs. (#5 seed) ETSU
Game 5 (#2 seed) Furman vs. Game 2 winner
Game 6 (#3 seed) Wofford vs. (#6 seed) VMI

Game #24 - UNCG

The Catamounts remain at home in their two-game homestand, to host the league-leading and  15th ranked (CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25) Spartans of UNC Greensboro in a home and home series that will conclude Wednesday in Greensboro. This will be the first meeting with the Spartans this season. This game was originally scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

When: Monday, February 22, 2020, at 5 pm
Where:  Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

-announcers:  -   Gary Ayers 

TV/video:  ESPN+ 

-announcers:  -  Daniel Hooker  (Play by Play) Jeff Bryson (Color Analyst)

Official Athletic Site:  UNCG

UNCG Message Board:  UNCGFans

The Series: The Catamounts and Spartans meet for the 56th time in a series that started in 1979. The Cats own a 35-25 record versus the Spartans. WCU is coming into the game off a loss 9 game skid, last winning in Cullowhee in January 2016.  

 

Mark Prosser's record vs. the Spartans:  0-4

UNCG Head Coach: Wes Miller
Wes Miller's Record at UNCG:    178-133   /  10th season

- nnder Wes Miller, UNCG is 9-7 all-time against Western Carolina.  

Spartan's record this season (2020-21): 16-7 overall, 11-4 SoCon, 7-2 home, 9-3 away, 1-2 neutral

Spartan's record last season (2019-20): 23-9 overall, 13-5  SoCon, 14-4 home, 9-4 away, 0-1 neutral

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -    UNCG

Key Returners: Isaiah Miller, Kaleb Hunter, Keyshaun Langley, Angelo Allegri, Michael Hueitt Jr.
Key Losses: James Dickey, Malik Massey, Kyrin Galloway
Key Newcomers: Jarrett Hensley, AJ McGinnis, Hayden Koval (Central Arkansas)

As a team this season, UNCG is 13th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (13.0), 24th in rebounding (39.8), 31st in total blocked shots (91), and 28th in turnover margin (+3.5). The Spartan total of 915 rebounds is seventh overall. UNCG is 33rd nationally in total steals (166).
 
While senior guard Isaiah Miller has been the headliner for the Spartans, this season has been far from a solo act. Miller (steals), Hayden Koval (blocked shots), and Mohammed Abdulsalam (offensive rebounding) leads the SoCon in those respective categories. 
 
Kaleb Hunter fueled a huge road win at The Citadel with a season-high 22 points. Angelo Allergi's 16 points made the difference in a victory at Mercer. Keyshaun Langley has scored in double figures in five straight games. Kobe Langley has delivered key minutes and grabbed four rebounds in each of UNCG's last two games.
 
During the Spartans' seven-game winning streak, freshmen Jarrett Hensley and A.J. McGinnis delivered critical contributions. Khyre Thompson and Bas Leyte enjoyed shining moments that have enhanced UNCG's season.

The Spartans, are in first place with only three regular-season games remaining. UNCG and Furman have four conference losses each, everybody else has at least six conference losses.
 

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SoCon "Make-up Monday" Basketball (2-22-21)

"Make-up Monday" February 22, 2021 

Four games are on the schedule for this make-up Monday, with 8 teams in action. Wofford and Samford will have the national audience on ESPNU as the conference season comes to a close before the Tournament.


7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
UNCG (16-7) at Western Carolina (9-14)
Ramsey Regional Activity Center - Cullowhee, NC


7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
VMI (12-11) at Furman (15-7)
Timmons Arena - Greenville, SC


7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPNU
Wofford (14-8) at Samford (6-12)
Hanna Center - Birmingham, AL


7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Citadel (12-9) at Mercer (13-9)
Hawkins Arena - Macon, GA

If it ended today..... (Feb 20, 2021)

The SoCon MBB Tournament seedings, if the season ended today: Feb. 20, 2021  

The SoCon MBB Tournament Seedings


First-round  //  Friday, March 5
Game 1 (#8 seed) Citadel vs. (#9 seed) Samford
Game 2 (#7 seed) Mercer vs. (#10 seed) Western Carolina

Quarterfinals  //  Saturday, March 6
Game 3 (#1 seed) UNCG vs. Game 1 winner
Game 4 (#4 seed) Chattanooga vs. (#5 seed) ETSU
Game 5 (#2 seed) Furman vs. Game 2 winner
Game 6 (#3 seed) Wofford vs. (#6 seed) VMI

WCU Baseball - Up first: Towson Tigers

Catamount Baseball's first pitch of the 2021 season is today at 2:30 pm against the Towson Tigers. 

When: Friday-Sunday, February 19-21, 2021, at 2:30 pm (Friday) 

Where: Childress Field at Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

Radio: None 

TV/video: ESPN+ (Friday only) 

-announcers: Daniel Hooker 

Live Stats: WCU Live Stats (available each game) 

Conference: Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) 

Type: Public university 

Students: 22,285 

Location: Towson, Maryland 

Colors: Black & Gold 

Mascot: Tigers 

Towson Message Board: TowsonFans 

The Series: The first-ever meetings between WCU and Towson on the baseball diamond

Picked fourth out of four teams in the CAA's North Division, the Tigers posted a 7-8 record in 2020 before the season was canceled last March, with victories over High Point and Lafayette. Towson won five of their final six games before the stoppage including three-straight wins.

Javon Fields was selected as 2021 Preseason Honorable Mention All-CAA in the preseason coaches poll. Fields was previously 2020 Preseason All-CAA and 2019 CAA All-Rookie Team.
Fields has started nearly every game in his Towson career as the team's centerfielder, hitting .277 in his career with 11 doubles, 30 RBI and 22 steals.

Towson has a combined five graduate students and seniors with eight juniors, while the bulk of their preseason roster consists of 14 true and redshirt freshmen. Towson returns 12 pitchers who accounted for 127.2 of the 128 innings thrown during the 2020 season. They combined for a 4.29 team ERA under pitching coach Miles Miller, 1.3 points better than in 2019. Two Tigers, Austin Weber and Nick Ramanjulu, ranked top-10 in the CAA in ERA at 2.94 and 3.22 respectively.

Game #23 - Wofford

The Catamounts return to the Ramsey Center for a two-game homestand before the tournament, first hosting Wofford in the Ramsey Center   

When: Saturday, February 20, 2020, at 1 pm
Where:  Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: none

TV/video:  ESPN+ 

-announcers:  -   Gary Ayers 

Official Athletic Site:  WoffordTerriers

Wofford Message Board:  WoffordFans

The Series: In a series that started in 1948, the Cats own a 30-31 record versus the Terriers. WCU is coming into the game off a loss to Wofford on January 23 by a final score of 78-91.

 

Mark Prosser's record vs. the Terriers:  2-2

Wofford Head Coach: Jay McAuley
Jay McAuley's Record at Wofford:    13-8  /  1st season

Terrier's record this season (2020-21): 13-8 overall, 10-5 SoCon, 8-3 home, 5-4 away, 0-1 neutral

Terrier's record last season (2019-20): 19-16 overall, 8-10  conf., 4-1 home, 4-2 away, 0-1 neutral

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -     Wofford

Key Returners: Storm Murphy, Tray Hollowell, Messiah Jones, Ryan Larson, Isaiah Bigelow

Key Losses: Chevez Goodwin, Nathan Hoover, Trevor Stumpe

Key Newcomers: Nick Pringle, Sam Godwin, Keaton Turner, Max Klesmit, BJ Mack (South Florida)

The Terriers are currently in second place, a half-game behind UNCG, as Wofford travels to Cullowhee, sporting a 10-5 conference record.   The Terriers currently are in 7th place in scoring with an average of 76.6  but are holding opponents to 65.2 ppg, good enough for second in the league. 

Wofford Stat Leaders:

Points: Storm Murphy, 19.4 ppg 

Rebounds: Messiah Jones, 6.6 rpg 

Assists: Storm Murphy, 4.8 apg 

Steals: Ryan Larson, 1.3 stls/g 

Blocks: 2 tied with 0.7 blks/g

----------------------

If it ended today..... (Feb 18, 2021)

The SoCon MBB Tournament seedings, if the season ended today: Feb. 18, 2021  

The SoCon MBB Tournament Seedings


First-round  //  Friday, March 5
Game 1 (#8 seed) Citadel vs. (#9 seed) Samford
Game 2 (#7 seed) Mercer vs. (#10 seed) Western Carolina

Quarterfinals  //  Saturday, March 6
Game 3 (#1 seed) UNCG vs. Game 1 winner
Game 4 (#4 seed) Chattanooga vs. (#5 seed) ETSU
Game 5 (#2 seed) Wofford vs. Game 2 winner
Game 6 (#3 seed) Furman vs. (#6 seed) VMI

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. Furman

 

                                                                                                                      Courtesy WCU Media Relations

Game #22 - Chattanooga Mocs

The Catamounts travel to Chattanooga on Wednesday, looking for their third conference win of the season in a location that the Cats have had very little success in winning basketball games. 

When: Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 7 pm 

Where: McKenzie Arena - Chattanooga, TN
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers, play by play - Daniel Hooker
TV/video: ESPN+
-announcers:  Chris Gofoth (PxP) & Todd Agne (analyst)
Fans allowed in games:  Capacity  The 2020-21 season will begin with a maximum capacity at McKenzie Arena of 1,000 fans for each home game.  To purchase tickets online for Men's Basketball, please click here. 

Official Athletic Site: GoMocs
Chattanooga Fan Site: Chattanooga Moc Nation Message Board

The Series: In a series that started in 1969, and the Cats & Mocs will play in the 97th meeting between the two schools. The Mocs hold a 67-29 win margin over the Cats. The Cats are 6-36 in games played in Chattanooga, but interestingly enough WCU has

Mark Prosser's record vs. the Mocs: 3-2

Chattanooga Head Coach: Lamont Paris
Lamont Paris' Record at Chattanooga: 58-61 / 4h season

Mocs' record this season (2020-21): 17-5 overall, 8-5 SoCon, 8-3 home, 9-2 away
Mocs' record last season (2019-20): 20-13 overall, 10-8 SoCon, 10-4 home, 7-8 away, 3-1 neutral

Game Notes:       Western Carolina         -                   Chattanooga

Key Returners: David Jean-Baptiste, Stefan Kenic, Trey Doomes, A.J. Caldwell
Key Losses: Ramon Vila, Matt Ryan, Rod Johnson, Maurice Commander
Key Newcomers: Mark Tikhonenko (Sam Houston State), Josh Ayeni (South Alabama)

The Cats travel to Chattanooga to play in one of the most difficult places for a Western Carolina basketball team to pick up a win, the McKenzie Arena, where the Cats have only won 6 times out of forty-two attempts. Currently, the Mocs are sitting in fifth place in the SoCon standings, and have won five straight games, including a win over the Cats back on February 3d. 

The Mocs are averaging 74.3 points per game, placing them in 8th place in the SoCon in scoring, and are giving up 69.8 points per game (5th in the SoCon). Chattanooga is hitting 44.8% of their field goals as a team, and 37% of their three-point attempts. The Mocs have four players scoring in double digits, led by David Jean-Baptist with 17.7 points, followed by Malachi Smith with 16.1 ppg, then Stefan Kenic with 12.9 ppg, and Darius Banks with 12.8 ppg. Malachi Smith also leads the team in rebounding with 9.5 rebounds.

SoCon MBB Power Rankings (2-15-21)

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

Now looking at the twelfth week of play, these rankings are based on gameplay.  Given that, here's our tweltth ranking of the season.

Power ranking - 
1- UNCG
2- Furman
3- ETSU

4- Chattanooga

5- Wofford

6- Mercer

7- VMI

8- Citadel
9- Samford

10- WCU 

   

                                                           

Game #1 - Furman Paladins

Fr the first game of the spring season, the Cats travel down the mountain to Travelers Rest, SC for the spring 2021 football edition of The Battle for Purple Supremacy.

The Cats have dropped four straight to the Paladins and are looking for a victory in Paladin Stadium.






Game #1 - Furman Paladins

When: Saturday, February 20 at 2 pm
Where: Paladin Stadium, Travelers Rest, SC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

-announcers:  Gary Ayers, Daniel Hooker, & Greg McLamb
TV/video: ESPN+

-announcers: Mark Childress, PBP; Bryant Lambert, analyst; Erin Summers, sideline

Furman Message Board:  GoPaladins

Furman attendance policy:  "Furman will operate in Phase IV, which allows football season ticket holders to attend the Feb. 20 contest, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Paladin Stadium.  In addition, tickets for parents and families of Furman players, and for a limited number of students, faculty, and staff, will be provided for the game.  There will be no game-day ticket sales."

The Series:  The Cats are 12-32-2 overall against the Paladins in the series that started back in 1972. The Cats have lost 4 in a row to the Paladins, with the last win coming in 2015 in Cullowhee, by a final score of  48-10.  Coach Speir is 2-6 overall vs. the Paladins.

Game Notes:   Western Carolina    -     Furman

The last game played vs. Furman:  October 26, 2019 - Second Half Surge Lifts No. 14 Furman over Western Carolina - Cullowhee, N.C. – Upset-minded Western Carolina went toe-to-toe with No. 14 Furman over the opening two quarters on a rain-soaked Homecoming Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. However, in the end, the nationally-ranked Paladins used a strong second-half defensive effort and a ball-control offense to bounce back with a road win, fending off the Catamounts, 28-7.

Games that will be played by the Paladins this season before the WCU contest:  This is the opening game of the spring season for both teams, the Paladins did not play a fall schedule

Head Coach: Clay Hendrix - Introduced as Furman’s new head football coach on December 19, 2016, Clay Hendrix in three seasons has reinvigorated a Paladin football program accustomed to success. Hendrix, a former standout Paladin offensive guard and assistant coach who returned to his alma mater following a decade as an assistant coach at the US Air Force Academy, directed Furman to an 8-5 campaign and Football Championship (FCS) playoff appearance in 2017, improving on a three-win 2016 season and defying a preseason No. 7 Southern Conference tab by playing for a share of the league title in the regular-season finale en route to finishing a consensus No. 20 in two major FCS polls.

Last Season's Record (Furman): 8-5 overall, 5-1 home, 3-4 away, 6-2 in the SoCon - In 2019, the Paladins had conference wins over WCU, Mercer, ETSU, Samford, Chattanooga, and VMI.

Offensive Formation:  Multiple (option - flexbone look)
-2019 Offensive:  33.5 ppg. (23rd in FCS)
Defensive Formation:   3-4
-2019 Defensive:  20.5 ppg (14th in FCS)
Starters returning/lost:    14  /  8

Furman is the preseason pick to win the Southern Conference by league media and is the No. 8 pick in the HERO Sports FCS Preseason Poll. The Paladins are coming off an 8-5 campaign in 2019 that saw them post a 6-2 SoCon slate en route to an at-large berth to the FCS playoffs. The Paladins return 14 starters and 47 lettermen from that squad, which finished the season ranked inside the top 25 nationally. Furman earned a spot in the 2020 HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25, checking in at Nos. 14.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Paladins return QB Darren Grainger (79-for-161, 1,222 yards, 13 TD, 93 rushes, 316 yards, 5 TD), TB Devin Wynn (179 rushes, 1182 yards, 14 TD), and RB Devin Abrams (100 rushes, 615 yards, 6 TD)

Defensively, Furman returns, LB Braden Gilby (70 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 1 PBU), DB Travis Blackshear (59 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 2 PBU, 2 INT, 1.0 sacks), and BAN Adrian Hope (40 tackles, 10.0 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 4 QB hurries).

Paladin standouts Adrian Hope and Devin Wynn were named to the HERO Sports 2020 Preseason All-American teams.

2019 Furman Statistics
Rushing Offense: 3434 yards
Yards per game: 264.2
Yards per rush: 6.0 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 157
TDs rushing: 39
Passing Offense: 1880 yards or 144.6 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.6 yards
Passing 1st downs: 76
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 131-248-6
TDs Passing: 16
Total Offense: 5348 yards or 408.8 ypg
3d Down Conversions: 73/160
4th Down Conversions: 9-19
Field Goal: 13 of 16
On-side kicks: 1 of 3
Red Zone Scores: 40 of 44 (91%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 37 of 44 (84%)
Avg per punt:  43.8 yards
Fumbles-Lost: 18-9
Sacks: 26

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If it ended today..... (Feb 13, 2021)

The SoCon MBB Tournament seedings, if the season ended today: Feb. 13, 2021  

The SoCon MBB Tournament Seedings


First-round  //  Friday, March 5
Game 1 (#8 seed) Citadel vs. (#9 seed) Samford
Game 2 (#7 seed) Mercer vs. (#10 seed) Western Carolina

Quarterfinals  //  Saturday, March 6
Game 3 (#1 seed) UNCG vs. Game 1 winner
Game 4 (#4 seed) Furman vs. (#5 seed) Chattanooga
Game 5 (#2 seed) ETSU vs. Game 2 winner
Game 6 (#3 seed) Wofford vs. (#6 seed) VMI

Game #21 - Furman

The Catamounts go on the road to face the preseason favorite Furman Paladins for the second time this season. The Paladins are currently in fourth place in the SoCon standings after a loss to UNCG Wednesday night, in this, the Battle for Purple Supremacy.  

When: Saturday, February 13, 2021, at 2 pm
Where:   Timmons Arena, Travelers Rest, SC

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

TV/video:  ESPN+ 

-announcers:  Bryant Lambert & Jon Williams

Official Athletic Site:  Furman Paladins

Furman Fan Site:  GoPaladins

The Series: In a series that started in 1977, and the Cats & Terriers will play in the 79th meetings between the two schools. The Cats hold a 29-49 record with the Paladins and are going into the game riding a four-game skid against the Paladins, and have not won in Greenville since 2014.  

Overall: FU leads 33-12-2 

Greenville: FU leads 17-6-1 

Cullowhee: FU leads 16-61 

Mark Prosser's record vs. the Paladins:  0 - 5

Furman Head Coach:  Bob Richey
Bob Richey's Record at Furman:    73-26  /  4th season

Bob Richey's Record vs. WCU:   8 - 0

Paladins' record this season (2020-21): 12-7 overall, 6-4 SoCon, 9-1 home, 4-6 away 

Paladins' record last season (2019-20): 25-7 overall, 15-3 SoCon, 14-1 home, 10-5 away, 1-1 neutral

Game Notes:    Western Carolina       -     Furman

Key Returners: Noah Gurley, Clay Mounce, Alex Hunter, Mike Bothwell, Jalen Slawson
Key Losses: Jordan Lyons
Key Newcomers: Joe Anderson, Garrett Hien 

Furman sports an 8-0 record versus Western Carolina under head coach Bob Richey. The Paladins are currently ranked No. 11 in the latest College Insider Mid-Major Top 25. Back on January 30th, the Cats dropped a 69-75 loss to the Paladins. Furman had five players finish in double figures in that game, led by Noah Gurley with 17 points. Alex Hunter (16), Mike Bothwell (13), Clay Mounce (13), and Jalen Slawson (12) also tallied double figures. 

The Paladins come into the game having lost 2 out of the last 3 games, and 4 of the last 6 games. While the Paladins have wins over WCU and UNCG during that period, but they have lost to VMI, ETSU, Wofford, and UNCG.   

The Paladins are averaging 79.9 points per game, hitting 48.1% of their field goal attempts and only giving up 68.5 ppg. As a team, the Paladins are converting 72.4% of their free-throw attempts.

Furman boasts one of the best home-court advantages in the SoCon. Since the beginning of the 2015-16 season, Furman is 71-12 overall in Timmons & 41-6 in the SoCon. The Paladins have won 20 of their last 21 games at Timmons.

If it ended today..... (Feb 11, 2021)

The SoCon MBB Tournament seedings, if the season ended today: Feb. 11, 2021  

The SoCon MBB Tournament Seedings



First-round  //  Friday, March 5
Game 1 (#8 seed) Citadel vs. (#9 seed) Samford
Game 2 (#7 seed) VMI vs. (#10 seed) Western Carolina

Quarterfinals  //  Saturday, March 6
Game 3 (#1 seed) UNCG vs. Game 1 winner
Game 4 (#4 seed) Furman vs. (#5 seed) Chattanooga
Game 5 (#2 seed) Wofford vs. Game 2 winner
Game 6 (#3 seed) ETSU vs. (#6 seed) Mercer