Game #30 - VMI Keydets

Who: VMI Keydets
When: Saturday, February 25, 2023
Time: 4:00 pm
Where: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
    -announcer: Gary Ayers (PxP)
TV/video: ESPN+
    -announcer: Daniel Hooker (PxP)
Live Stats: WCU Live Stats
Nickname: Keydets
Colors: Red, Yellow, White
Students: 1,685
Mascot: Moe the Kangaroo
Message Board: KeydetSportstalk

Head Coach: VMI Superintendent Maj. General Cedric T. Wins announced the hiring of Andrew Wilson to serve as the Institute’s 29th head basketball coach.

Wilson's record vs. WCU: 0-1
Gray's record vs. VMI: 2-1

VMI's current record: 7-23 overall, 6-8 home, 1-13 away, 0-2 neutral, 2-15 SoCon
VMI's last season record: 16-16 overall, 9-4 home, 6-9 away, 1-3 neutral, 9-9 SoCon

The Series: Entering their 68th game, the Cats are 38-29 overall vs. the Keydets. Western has a 21-11 winning record in games played in Cullowhee, vs. the Keydets, however, the Cats are only 4-6 in the last 10 games played against VMI, but have a two-game win streak coming into this game.

This game is part of a doubleheader being played in Cullowhee on Saturday, with the women's team playing ETSU following the men's game. This is also Senior Night for both the Men's and Women's teams, and all seniors will be recognized.

VMI is coming off their second conference win of the season with an 87-83 victory over the Wofford Terriers in Lexington. At this time only the Keydets and Catamounts know their seed for the upcoming SoCon Tournament, with the Cats holding the 4th seed and the Keydets holding the 10th seed, so the outcome of this game will not change the seeding for either team.

Currently, the Keydets have four players averaging double-digit scoring, led by Asher Woods with 14.1 points per game (PPG), followed by Sean Conway with 12.3 ppg, Tony Felder, Jr with 10.5 ppg and Tyler Houser with 10,4 ppg. Taeshaud Jackson is the leading rebounder, pulling down 7 rebounds per game. The Keydets are in 7th place in scoring offense, putting up 69.4 ppg, and rank 10th in scoring defense, giving up an average of 76 ppg.