The SoCon MBB Tournament vs. Mercer

The Catamounts face the Mercer Bears on day one of the 2022 Southern Conference Basketball Tournament.  It's #7 vs. #10 in men's basketball action.  

Who: Mercer Bears

What:  The Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament

When: Friday, March 4, 2022
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers, (play-by-play) - Daniel Hooker
TV/Video: ESPN+
Nickname: Bears
Colors: Orange & Black
Fan Message Board: MU Beardown

Head Coach: Greg Gary enters his third season at the helm of the Mercer men’s basketball program in 2021-22 after leading the Bears to 35 wins through two seasons, the most for Mercer men's basketball head coach in his first two seasons.

History: The Cats are tied 12-12 overall with Mercer. In their last meeting was in Cullowhee, N.C. on Feb. 19, 2022, WCU won 69-65.

Mercer's Record:  15-15 overall, 10-4 home, 4-11 away, 8-10 SoCon

The Bears and Cats will play in Game #2 of the Southern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament that tips off at 7:30 on Friday, March 4.  Since the two teams met in Cullowhee back on the 19 of February, the Bears have lost two games and are coming off a 67-74 loss in Spartanburg to Wofford.  Western and Mercer split the series in Conference play

If the Cats win, they will face the #2 seed Furman Paladins at 6 pm on Saturday. The Cat fans will gather at the Bold Rock Taproom (39 N. Lexington Ave.)

2022 SoCon MBB Championship

First-round // Friday, March 4 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 1  #8 ETSU vs.  #9 The Citadel  5 p.m. //  ESPN+
Game 2  #7 Mercer vs.  #10 Western Carolina 7:30 p.m. //  ESPN+

Quarterfinals // Saturday, March 5 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 3  #1 Chattanooga vs. Winner of Game 1  12 p.m.  // ESPN+

Game 4  #4 Wofford vs. #5 VMI 2:30 p.m.  //  ESPN+
Game 5  #2 Furman vs  Winner of Game 2   6 p.m.  // ESPN+

Game 6  #6 Samford vs. #3 UNCG  8:30 p.m.  //  ESPN+

Ronnie Carr

WCU Hall of Fame member Ronnie Carr

                                                                                                        Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

SoCon Basketball for Saturday, 2-26-22

SoCon Basketball for Saturday, February 26, 2022

Saturday's Schedule:  Four games are on the schedule for the final Saturday of conference play. There is one game scheduled for Sunday that will conclude this year's conference schedule. 

1:00 PM - Watch on ESPN+
Furman (19-11, 11-6 Southern) at The Citadel (12-16, 6-11 Southern)
McAlister Field House - Charleston, SC

4:00 PM - Watch on ESPN+

Samford (20-9, 10-7 Southern) at Chattanooga (23-7, 13-4 Southern)
McKenzie Arena - Chattanooga, TN

7:00 PM - Watch on ESPN+

VMI (16-13, 9-8 Southern) at Western Carolina (10-20, 4-13 Southern)
Ramsey Center - Cullowhee, NC

7:00 PM - Watch on ESPN+

Mercer (15-15, 8-9 Southern) at Wofford (17-12, 9-8 Southern)
Richardson Indoor Stadium - Spartanburg, SC

Illinois State Redbirds

The Cats return home to host the Illinois State Redbirds for a three-game weekend series.

Who: Illinois State Redbirds
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Time: Fri - 4:00; Sat - 2:00 pm; Sun -1:00 pm
Where: Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network   (Friday & Sunday games)
-announcers: Daniel Hooker
TV/Video: none
Live Stats: WCU live stats   (live stats all 3 games)
Nickname: Redbirds
Colors: Red & White
Conference: Missouri Valley Conference 

The Series: This will be the first meeting between the two teams on the baseball diamond.

Fan Message Board: Redbird Fan

Head Coach: Steve Holm is entering his fourth season with the Redbird baseball program in the 2021-22 academic year. Through the 2021 season, his overall mark is 66-69, a winning percentage of .489. Holm is 26-22 in Missouri Valley play, a winning percentage of .542.

Illinois State's 2021 record:  23-34 overall, 12-10 home, 10-22 away, 1-2 neutral,  12-15 conference

In preseason voting, the Redbirds came in a two-way tie for third place with Southern Illinois in the eight-team MVC preseason voting. Fifth-year junior Jake McCaw and third-year sophomore Ryan Cermak have been selected to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference team 

The Illinois State baseball team opened the 2022 season with a three-game set at second-ranked Arkansas. The Redbirds won the opening game, 3-2 but dropped the series second and third games 1-5 & 2-4 respectively. 

The 11 runs allowed by Illinois State are the fewest scored by Arkansas since 1994 (11). It's tied for the fewest until 1985 (Arkansas scored three runs in its season-opening series). Fewest runs in a three-game stretch for Arkansas since May 22-24 of 2019. Fewest runs scored in a series against a mid-major since 2017 (eight vs Rhode Island).

SoCon Basketball for Monday, 2-23-22

SoCon Basketball for Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Wednesday's Schedule:  Entering the last week of conference play, all 10 teams are on the schedule tonight. Both Chattanooga and Furman are looking for a win in their battle for first place in the standings, separated by only one game

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Wofford (16-12, 8-8 Southern) at VMI (16-12, 9-7 Southern)
Cameron Hall - Lexington, VA


7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Western Carolina at (10-19, 4-12 Southern) at UNCG (16-12, 8-8 Southern)
Greensboro Coliseum - Greensboro, NC


7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Chattanooga (22-7, 12-4 Southern) at ETSU (14-15, 6-10 Southern)
Freedom Hall Civic Center - Johnson City, TN


7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
The Citadel (11-16, 5-11 Southern) at Mercer (15-14, 8-8 Southern)
Hawkins Arena - Macon, GA


8:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Furman (19-10, 11-5 Southern) at Samford (19-9, 9-7 Southern)
Pete Hanna Center - Birmingham, AL

@ USC Upstate (mid-week game)

Western Carolina travels to Spartanburg, SC for the first-midweek baseball game of the season, against the USC Upstate Spartans. 

Who: USC Upstate Spartans
When: Wednesday, Feb. 23th, 2022
Time: 3:00 pm
Where: Harley Baseball Park, Spartanburg, SC 
Radio: none
TV/Video: none 

Live Stats: none 

Nickname: Spartans
Colors: Green, White, Black

Head Coach: Mike McGuire is in his second season as the head baseball coach at USC Upstate.

USC Upstate's record: 2-1 overall, 2-1 home, 0-0 away, 0-0  neutral court, 0-0 conference

The Series: The Cats are 7-2 against the Spartans in a series that started in 1986. The Cats won the last 6 games in the series with the Spartans. 

The Spartans claimed a program-record 37 victories a season ago, picking up wins over Clemson and No. 12 Georgia Tech during a record-setting season. Upstate captured a program-best 28 conference victories in 2021, claiming the No. 2 seed in last season's Big South Tournament following a 37-16 (28-12 Big South) campaign.

Last season, Upstate was one of the top teams in the nation at both the plate and on the mound, concluding the season ranked in the top-25 in the NCAA in both batting average (24th; .298) and earned run average (16th; 3.68).

After 37 wins last season, the Spartans were picked second in the Big South Conference preseason poll. The Spartans won two of three games this past weekend, in their opening series against the Ohio Bobcats in Spartanburg.

Game #30 - UNCG Spartans

Western Carolina travels to Greensboro to take on the UNCG Spartans on Wednesday night in the final week of SoCon play.

Who: UNCG Spartans
When: Wednesday, Feb. 27th, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers, (play-by-play)
TV/Video: ESPN+ 

Live Stats: UNCG live stats 

Nickname: Spartans
Colors: Gold. White, & Navy Blue
Mascot:  "Spiro"

Head Coach: Mike Jones is in his first season at the helm of the Spartan program
UNCG's record: 16-12 overall, 6-4 home, 7-6 away, 1-2 neutral court, 8-8 SoCon

The Series: The Cats are 32-27 against the Spartans in a series that started in 1979. The Cats broke a ten-game slide

against UNCG last February when they won in Greenboro, 81-80.  The Cats are 11-14 in games played in Greensboro.  

The Spartans were picked to finish 3d in the coaches' preseason poll, and are 8-8 in conference games this season.   

The Spartans are coming off a 49-55 loss in Birmingham against the Samford Bulldogs

Western Carolina stunned UNCG last year at the Greensboro Coliseum, 82-81.

Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the Spartans are tied for fifth-place with Mercer and Wofford with 8-8 conference records. UNCG is a game behind VMI and Samford, who are both tied for fourth place at 9-7.

If it Ended Today... 2-19-22

If the Southern Conference basketball season ended today (Saturday - Feb. 19, 2022), here's how the SoCon tournament would look on opening day...

-First-round // Friday, March 4 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 1 - #8 ETSU vs.  #9 The Citadel - 5 p.m.
Game 2 - #7 UNCG  vs.  #10 Western Carolina - 7:30 p.m.

-Quarterfinals // Saturday, March 5 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 3 - #1 Chattanooga  vs.  Winner of Game 1 - 12 p.m.
Game 4 - #4 Samford  vs.  #5 Mercer - 2:30 p.m.
Game 5 - #2 Furman  vs. Winner of Game 2  - 6 p.m.
Game 6 - #6 Wofford  vs.  #3 VMI  - 8:30 p.m.

Niagara Purple Eagles

The Catamounts open the 2022 baseball season at home as they host the Niagara Purple Eagles for a four-game series in Cullowhee. This series opens the season for both teams.  

Who: Niagara Purple Eagles
When: Friday (DH), Saturday, Sunday
Time: Fri - DH 2:00; Sat - 2:00 pm; Sun -1:00 pm
Where: Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Daniel Hooker
TV/Video: none
Live Stats: WCU live stats
Nickname: Purple Eagles
Colors: Purple & White
Conference: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)

The Series:  The Cats are 2-0 overall against Niagara on the baseball diamond.  This is just the second series between the Catamounts and Purple Eagles. The first meeting in 2016 was a pair of midweek games. WCU swept a pair of seven-inning games in the doubleheader, winning 17-4 and 10-2.

Fan Message Board: Niagara Nation

Head Coach: Rob McCoy enters his 13th season as head coach in 2021 and 14th season overall with Niagara.

Niagara's 2021 record: 17-17 overall, 6-6 home, 11-11 away, 17-15 MAAC

Niagara University (NU) is a private Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition in Lewiston in Niagara County, New York. It is run by the Congregation of the Mission and has 3,300 undergraduate students in 50 academic programs. Approximately half of the students are residents while the other half commute from the surrounding area. The college is known as a liberal arts school but offers programs in technical and pre-professional disciplines as well. 

Niagara finished sixth in the MAAC a year ago, finishing 17-17 as the league played a conference-only baseball schedule. The four-game season-opening road swing at WCU opens a stretch of 30-straight road games for the Purple Eagles who won't play at home at Bobo Field until mid-April of the 2022 schedule. 

Niagara was picked to finish tied for 6th place in the 11 team MAAC preseason coaches poll for the 2022 season.

Game 1: - Friday, Feb. 18 | 2:00 p.m.  |  Coverage: Listen LIVE  |  Live Stats
Probable Starters:
Western Carolina - RHP Zebby Matthews (2021: 6-2, 3.52 ERA, 61.1 IP, 60K, 7BB)
Niagara - LHP Jacob Bruning (2021: 3-3, 4.30 ERA, 44.0 IP, 39K, 24BB)

Game 2: - Friday, Feb. 18 | approx. 5:30 p.m.  |  Coverage: Listen LIVE  |  Live Stats
Probable Starters:
Western Carolina - LHP Eric Wallington (2021: 0-1, 6.75 ERA, 13.1 IP, 18K, 18BB)
Niagara - RHP Marcus Cashman (2021: 2-2, 5.79 ERA, 14.0 IP, 13K, 7BB)

Game 3: - Saturday, Feb. 19 | 2:00 p.m.  |  Coverage: Live Stats
Probable Starters:
Western Carolina - RHP Lucas Hartman (Freshman)
Niagara - LHP Evan Wilde

Game 4: - Sunday, Feb. 20 | 1:00 p.m.  |  Coverage: Listen LIVE  |  Live Stats
Probable Starters:
Western Carolina - RHP Gavin Mortenson (2021: 2-0, 5.82 ERA, 34.0 IP, 34K, 21BB)
Niagara - LHP Blake MacMillan (Transfer)
 

If it Ended Today... 2-17-22

If the Southern Conference basketball season ended today (Thursday - Feb. 17, 2022), here's how the SoCon tournament would look on opening day...


First-round // Friday, March 4 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 1 - #8 The Citadel vs.  #9 ETSU - 5 p.m.
Game 2 - #7 Samford  vs.  #10 Western Carolina - 7:30 p.m.


Quarterfinals // Saturday, March 5 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 3 - #1 Chattanooga  vs.  Winner of Game 1 - 12 p.m.
Game 4 - #4 Mercer  vs.  #5 Wofford - 2:30 p.m.
Game 5 - #2 Furman  vs. Winner of Game 2  - 6 p.m.
Game 6 - #6 UNCG  vs.  #3 VMI  - 8:30 p.m.

Game #28 - Furman Paladins

The Cats will host the Furman Paladins on Wednesday night in Cullowhee.

Who: Furman Paladins
When: Wednesday, Feb. 16th, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers, (play-by-play) Daniel Hooker
TV/Video: ESPN+

-announcers: Daniel Hooker

Live Stats: WCU live stats
Nickname: Paladins
Colors: Purple & White
Fan Message Board: Go Paladins

Head Coach: Bob Richey is in the fifth season as head coach of the Furman men’s basketball team and 11th overall with the program.

Wofford's record:  17-19 overall,  11-3 home,  6-7 away,  9-5 SoCon

The Series: The Cats are an anemic 29-51 overall against the Paladins, but are  20-16 in games played in Cullowhee.  Western is currently on an 11 game losing streak to the Paladins, having last won in Cullowhee in 2016.  

The Paladins come to Cullowhee on a three-game losing streak of their own, losing to ETSU, UNCG, and Chattanooga, so they will be looking to break that streak in Cullowhee. The Paladins are 3 full games behind Chattanooga with only 4 games remaining on both of their conference schedules, so unless the Mocs have a complete and total breakdown over the next four games, the Paladins can only finish 2nd in the regular season.  



                                                         

If it Ended Today... 2-12-22

If the Southern Conference basketball season ended today (Saturday - Feb. 12, 2022), here's how the SoCon tournament would look on opening day...


First-round // Friday, March 4 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 1 - #8 The Citadel vs.  #9 ETSU - 5 p.m.
Game 2 - #7 Mercer  vs.  #10 Western Carolina - 7:30 p.m.


Quarterfinals // Saturday, March 5 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 3 - #1 Chattanooga  vs.  Winner of Game 1 - 12 p.m.
Game 4 - #4 UNCG  vs.  #5 Wofford - 2:30 p.m.
Game 5 - #2 Furman vs. Winner of Game 2  - 6 p.m.
Game 6 - #6 Samford  vs.  #3 VMI  - 8:30 p.m.

SoCon Basketball for Saturday, 2-12-22

Basketball for Saturday, February 12, 2022

Saturday's Schedule:  Four games are on the schedule for Saturday, with one game scheduled for Sunday. The big game is Chattanooga at Furman, it's #1 vs. #2 and Furman needs this game to stay in contention for the SoCon regular-season championship.  Samford and ETSU battle for that 6th place finish that will keep them out of the Friday round one games...

2:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Chattanooga (21-5) at Furman (17-9)
Timmons Arena - Greenville, SC

3:30 PM ET - Watch on CBSSN
The Citadel (10-13) at VMI (15-10)
Cameron Hall - Lexington, VA

4:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Samford (15-9) at ETSU (13-13)
Freedom Hall - Johnson City, TN

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Western Carolina (9-17) at Wofford (14-11)
Richardson Indoor Stadium - Spartanburg, SC

If it Ended Today... 2-11-22

If the Southern Conference basketball season ended today (Friday - Feb. 11, 2022), here's how the SoCon tournament would look on opening day...


First-round // Friday, March 4 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 1 - #8 ETSU  vs.  #9 The Citadel - 5 p.m.
Game 2 - #7 Samford  vs.  #10 Western Carolina - 7:30 p.m.


Quarterfinals // Saturday, March 5 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 3 - #1 Chattanooga  vs.  Winner of Game 1 - 12 p.m.
Game 4 - #4 UNCG  vs.  #5 Wofford - 2:30 p.m.
Game 5 - #2 Furman vs. Winner of Game 2  - 6 p.m.
Game 6 - #6 Mercer  vs.  #3 VMI  - 8:30 p.m.

Game #27 - Wofford Terriers

The Catamounts return to the road for a return game with the Terriers.  Wofford comes into the game off an overtime loss to Samford on Wednesday.

Who: Wofford Terriers
When: Saturday, Feb. 12th, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Richardson Indoor Arena, Spartanburg, GA
Radio: Wofford Radio
TV/Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: Wofford live stats
Nickname: Terriers
Colors: Black & Gold
Mascot: Terriers
Fan Message Board: Wofford Fans

Head Coach: Jay McAuley enters his third season at the helm of the program entering the 2021-22 men's basketball season.

Wofford's record: 14-11 overall, 9-4 home, 5-7 away, 6-7 SoCon

The Series: The Cats own a 30-33 overall record against the Terriers, and are 17-11 in games played in Cullowhee. The Cats are on a three-game skid vs. Wofford, dropping both home and away games last season to the Terriers, as well as the first meeting in Cullowhee this season.

Game #26 - Chattanooga Mocs

The Catamounts travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee to face the league-leading Chattanooga Mocs in the Roundhouse, historically one of the most difficult places in the SoCon for the Cats to pick up a win.



Who: Chattanooga Mocs
When: Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga, TN
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers (Play by Play)
TV/Video: ESPN+
-announcers:
Live Stats: UTC live stats
Nickname: Mocs 

Fan Message Board: Chattanooga Mocs Message Board
Head Coach: Lamont Paris is in the 5th season as head coach of the Chattanooga program

UTC's record: 20-5 overall, 10-1 home, 10-4 away, 0-0 neutral, 10-2 SoCon

The Series:  The Cats are 30-68 all-time against the Mocs,  and are 6-37 in games played in Chattanooga.  However, the Cats have won 4 of the last 6 games played, including a 70-59 victory in Cullowhee in mid-January. 

Chattanooga enters the game with a 20-5 record and a 10-2 mark in SoCon play, one-and-a-half games up in first place in the SoCon standings. The Mocs will be looking for revenge against Western Carolina as the Catamounts claimed a 70-59 victory in Cullowhee earlier this season on January 12, 2022. The Moc's Malachi Smith scored a game-high 33 points in the contest as UTC played without graduate guard David Jean-Baptiste.

SoCon Basketball for Tuesday, 2-8-22

Basketball for Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Tuesday's Schedule:  No games are scheduled for Tuesday


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

Monday's results:

-Chattanooga 74 - Mercer 72
Chattanooga's A.J. Caldwell did it again. Down 72-71 on the final possession, Caldwell connected on a buzzer-beating three in the corner off a pass from Malachi Smith to lift the Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team to a thrilling 74-72 road victory over Mercer in Southern Conference action on Monday evening in Hawkins Arena. Following the win, Chattanooga picks up its 20th win of the season and improves to 20-5 overall and 10-2 in SoCon play. Mercer falls to 13-12 overall and 6-6 in the league. With a Furman (9-4) loss at ETSU on Monday, UTC is now a game-and-a-half up in the race atop the standings.


-UNCG 68 - Western Carolina 49
Keyshaun Langley set the tone for the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team with a steal and a layup on Western Carolina's opening possession 18 seconds into the contest. UNCG was just getting started. The ornery Spartan defense was at its snarling best to fuel a 68-49 victory over Western Carolina in a Southern Conference contest at the Ramsey Center Monday night. UNCG finished its difficult stretch of playing four road games in 12 days with three victories. UNCG complemented its suffocating defense by making a season-best 13 3-pointers.


-Furman 71 - ETSU 75
All five of ETSU starters scored in double figures and the Buccaneers got stops late to hold off Furman, 75-71, in front of an electric crowd inside Freedom Hall on Monday night. After dropping five straight games by a combined 15 points, the Bucs got a key victory as ETSU improved to 13-13 overall and 5-8 in SoCon play.

SoCon Basketball for Monday, 2-7-22

SoCon Basketball for Monday, February 7, 2022

Monday's Schedule:  Three games are on the schedule for Monday night

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
Chattanooga (19-5) at Mercer (13-11)
Hawkins Arena - Macon, GA

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPN+
UNCG (13-10) at Western Carolina (9-15)
Ramsey Center - Cullowhee, NC

7:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPNU
Furman (17-8) at ETSU (12-13)
Freedom Hall - Johnson City, TN

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

Sunday's results:  No games were scheduled on Sunday

Game #25 - UNCG Spartans

The Catamounts return to Cullowhee on Monday in another quick turnaround to host the UNCG Spartans. 



Who: UNCG Spartans
When: Monday, February 7, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers (Play by Play)
TV/Video: ESPN+
-announcers: Danial Hooker
Live Stats: WCU live stats
Nickname: Spartans
Colors: Yellow, White & Blue
Fan Message Board: UNCG Fans

Head Coach: Mike Jones is the 10th head coach in UNCG men's basketball history. He was hired on April 19, 2021

UNCG's record: 13-10 overall, 7-3 home, 5-5 away, 1-2 neutral, 5-6 SoCon

The Series: Western owns a 32-25 overall record versus the Spartans, however, the Cats are only 1-9 in the last ten games against the Spartans, having beat Greensboro in the coliseum last February.

The Spartans come into Cullowhee off a big upset win over then first place Furman Paladins, in Greenville, 58-56. UNCG held its 10th opponent under 60 points this season, as Furman, which averages 79 points per game, was limited to 23 points below its season average. The Spartans finished with 41 rebounds, the most they had in a game since they grabbed 40 at VMI on Jan. 8.   

If it Ended Today... 2-5-22

If the Southern Conference basketball season ended today (Saturday - Feb. 5, 2022), here's how the SoCon tournament would look on opening day...


First-round // Friday, March 4 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 1 - #8 The Citadel  vs.  #9 ETSU - 5 p.m.
Game 2 - #7 Samford  vs.  #10 Western Carolina - 7:30 p.m.


Quarterfinals // Saturday, March 5 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 3 - #1 Chattanooga  vs.  Winner of Game 1 - 12 p.m.
Game 4 - #4 Mercer  vs.  #5 Wofford - 2:30 p.m.
Game 5 - #2 Furman vs. Winner of Game 2  - 6 p.m.
Game 6 - #6 UNCG  vs.  #3 VMI  - 8:30 p.m.

SoCon Basketball for Saturday, 2-5-22

SoCon Basketball for Saturday, February 5, 2022 

Saturday's schedule:   At noon today, Chattanooga hosts Mercer on ESPNU in a battle of the Nos. 2-3 teams in the SoCon standings. Two hours later, ETSU visits Wofford on CBS Sports Network. Mercer and Chattanooga will be meeting twice in a span of three days. After Saturday’s clash in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the squads will square off again in Macon, Georgia, on Monday to make up a game postponed from Jan. 1.


12:00 PM ET - Watch on ESPNU
Mercer (13-10) at Chattanooga (18-5)
McKenzie Arena - Chattanooga, TN

12:00 PM ET - Watch on  ESPN+

UNCG (12-10) at Furman (17-7)
Timmons Arena - Greenville, SC

1:00 PM ET- Watch on ESPN+

Samford (14-8) at The Citadel (9-12)
McAlister Field House - Charleston, SC

2:00 PM ET- Watch on CBSSN

ETSU (12-12) at Wofford (13-10)
Richardson Indoor Stadium - Spartanburg, SC

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

Friday's results:

- Western Carolina 69 - VMI 76
The VMI men's basketball team trailed by as many as 12 points midway through the second half Friday evening but rallied for a 76-69 victory over Western Carolina University in a Southern Conference clash from Cameron Hall. It is VMI's third-straight win and keeps the Keydets in the top four in the conference standings at 7-5 with six games to play. Nick Robinson had a triple-double for Western Carolina (9-15/3-8) with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, only the third in program history. Tyler Harris scored 18 and Joe Petrakis netted 17.

Game #24 - VMI Keydets

After the Catamount's big win over ETSU in Cullowhee, they travel to Lexington, VA to face VMI in a short turnaround game scheduled for Friday.  WCU has finished the seasonal series with three SoCon foes: The Citadel, Samford, and ETSU before its first meeting against the next two opponents on the schedule, VMI on Friday and UNCG on Monday.  

Who: VMI Keydets

When: Friday, February 2, 2022
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: Cameron Hall, Lexington, VA
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers (Play by Play)
TV/Video: ESPN+
-announcers:
Live Stats: VMI live stats
Nickname: Keydets
Colors: Red, Yellow, White
Fan Message Board: Keydet Sportstalk

Head Coach: Dan Earl heads into his seventh season directing the VMI basketball program on the heels of the most successful year of his tenure.

VMI's record:13-10 overall, 7-2 home, 5-7 away, 3-0 neutral, 1-1 SoCon

The Series: The Cats lead the series 36-28 overall. The Keydets have won 5 of the last 7 games the two teams have played, but the Cats did win last February in a game played in Cullowhee. The two teams are tied up 15-15 in games played in Lexington, VA,

VMI basketball team utilized a 16-3 run at the end of the game to defeat host UNCG by a 76-65 count Wednesday night at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Currently, VMI is the top-scoring team in the SoCon (79.2 ppg), the Keydets rely heavily on 3-pointers, ranking second in the country in 3-point field goals per game with 12.4 made.  VMI is 7-2 at Cameron Hall this season. 

If it Ended Today... 2-3-22

If the Southern Conference basketball season ended today (Thursday - Feb. 3, 2022), here's how the SoCon tournament would look on opening day...


First-round // Friday, March 4 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 1 - #8 ETSU vs. #9 The Citadel - 5 p.m.
Game 2 - #7 UNCG vs. #10 Western Carolina - 7:30 p.m.


Quarterfinals // Saturday, March 5 // Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville // Asheville, N.C.

Game 3 - #1 Furman vs. Winner of Game 1 - 12 p.m.
Game 4 - #4 VMI vs. #5 Wofford - 2:30 p.m.
Game 5 - Winner of Game 2 vs. #2 Chattanooga - 6 p.m.
Game 6 - #6 Samford vs. #3 Mercer - 8:30 p.m.

Game #23 - ETSU Bucs

The ETSU Bucs travel to Cullowhee to face the Catamounts for the second time this season. 




Who: ETSU Bucs
When: Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers:  Gary Ayers (Play by Play)
TV/Video: ESPN+
-announcers:  
Live Stats: WCU live stats
Nickname: Bucs
Colors: Blue & Gold
Fan Message Board: Buccaneer Nation

Head Coach: Desmond Oliver enters his first season as head coach of the ETSU Men's Basketball team.

ETSU's record: 9-7 overall, 5-2 home, 1-5 away, 3-0 neutral, 1-2 SoCon

The Series: The Cats are 24-60 overall against the Bucs.  Western has not won against the Bucs since 2015 and is on a 16 game slide against the Bucs.