Pregame Preview: The Citadel Bulldogs (9-16, 6-6 SoCon) at Western Carolina Catamounts (8-15, 4-8 SoCon)
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 6:00 PM ET
Where: Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center • Cullowhee, NC
Theme: Purple Out (free purple jerseys for WCU students)
Broadcast: ESPN+ (video), Catamount Sports Network (audio), live stats available on catamountsports.com
Team Overviews and Recent Form
Western Carolina enters the matchup on a three-game losing streak after competitive road losses to Wofford and UNCG, plus a home defeat to Samford. Despite the skid, the Catamounts remain a dangerous home team with a solid 6-3 record at the Ramsey Center, where they’ve shown the ability to score efficiently and use their size inside. Overall, WCU averages around 77-78 points per game but allows about 80, reflecting a pace-friendly, up-tempo style that can lead to high-scoring affairs. They sit near the bottom of the SoCon standings but have shown flashes of potential, including a road upset win at ETSU in late January. A win here would help stabilize their positioning ahead of the conference tournament.
The Citadel Bulldogs have been one of the more competitive mid-tier SoCon teams, sitting at .500 in league play. They come in with a recent win and boast a stronger conference record than their hosts. However, their road struggles are pronounced (around 2-10 away), where they’ve often been outscored and struggled to match opponents’ efficiency. The Bulldogs play a lower-possession, more deliberate style, averaging roughly 70-71 points per game while relying on defense and rebounding to stay in games. They’ve already defeated Western Carolina once this season (79-77 in overtime on January 10 in Charleston), giving them confidence in the rematch.
Key Players to Watch
Western Carolina:
-Marcus Kell (F, 6-8): Preseason All-SoCon selection and leading scorer at ~13.8 PPG. Versatile forward who can score inside and stretch the floor.
-Cord Stansberry (G, 6-4): Reliable veteran guard averaging around 13.5 PPG with strong free-throw shooting and playmaking.
-Julien Soumaoro (G, 5-11): Dynamic scorer (~11.6 PPG) and three-point threat who can create off the dribble.
-Samuel Dada (F) and Abdulai Fanta Kabba (C, 7-0): Provide size and rebounding (Dada leads the team at ~7.0 RPG); key to controlling the paint at home.
The Citadel:
-Braxton Williams (F, 6-6): Bulldogs’ top scorer at ~13.1-13.3 PPG. Efficient shooter, especially from the line and beyond the arc; capable of big scoring nights (has multiple 20+ point games this season). -Sola Adebisi (F): Strong rebounder and interior presence who can dominate the glass and finish efficiently.
-Eze Wali (G) and supporting guards (e.g., Carter Kingsbury): Handle the backcourt playmaking and perimeter defense.
Head-to-Head and What to Watch
The teams split recent history in tight contests, with Citadel taking the January matchup in overtime. Expect a rebounding battle—WCU’s length (with 7-foot Kabba and 6-10 Chase McKey) versus Citadel’s physical frontcourt. Western Carolina will likely push the pace and try to exploit their home crowd energy with transition scoring and three-point attempts. The Citadel will aim to slow the game, limit turnovers, and capitalize on any defensive lapses by WCU.
Key factors:
-Home court advantage — WCU is much stronger at Ramsey Center than on the road.
-Citadel’s road woes — Poor away record makes this a tough test.
-Momentum — WCU needs to snap their skid; Citadel wants to improve to 7-6 in SoCon and build playoff positioning.
-Style clash — Faster-paced, higher-scoring potential if WCU dictates tempo versus a grind-it-out game if Citadel controls possession.
Prediction
Western Carolina should be favored at home in a Purple Out atmosphere, where the crowd and familiar surroundings often spark better execution. Look for the Catamounts to bounce back with a focused effort inside and from the perimeter.
Predicted score: Western Carolina 78, The Citadel 72. This midweek SoCon matchup could have implications for tiebreakers and seeding as both teams jockey for better positioning in the conference standings. Tip-off is at 6:00 PM ET—expect an energetic crowd in Cullowhee!
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 6:00 PM ET
Where: Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center • Cullowhee, NC
Theme: Purple Out (free purple jerseys for WCU students)
Broadcast: ESPN+ (video), Catamount Sports Network (audio), live stats available on catamountsports.com
Team Overviews and Recent Form
Western Carolina enters the matchup on a three-game losing streak after competitive road losses to Wofford and UNCG, plus a home defeat to Samford. Despite the skid, the Catamounts remain a dangerous home team with a solid 6-3 record at the Ramsey Center, where they’ve shown the ability to score efficiently and use their size inside. Overall, WCU averages around 77-78 points per game but allows about 80, reflecting a pace-friendly, up-tempo style that can lead to high-scoring affairs. They sit near the bottom of the SoCon standings but have shown flashes of potential, including a road upset win at ETSU in late January. A win here would help stabilize their positioning ahead of the conference tournament.
The Citadel Bulldogs have been one of the more competitive mid-tier SoCon teams, sitting at .500 in league play. They come in with a recent win and boast a stronger conference record than their hosts. However, their road struggles are pronounced (around 2-10 away), where they’ve often been outscored and struggled to match opponents’ efficiency. The Bulldogs play a lower-possession, more deliberate style, averaging roughly 70-71 points per game while relying on defense and rebounding to stay in games. They’ve already defeated Western Carolina once this season (79-77 in overtime on January 10 in Charleston), giving them confidence in the rematch.
Key Players to Watch
Western Carolina:
-Marcus Kell (F, 6-8): Preseason All-SoCon selection and leading scorer at ~13.8 PPG. Versatile forward who can score inside and stretch the floor.
-Cord Stansberry (G, 6-4): Reliable veteran guard averaging around 13.5 PPG with strong free-throw shooting and playmaking.
-Julien Soumaoro (G, 5-11): Dynamic scorer (~11.6 PPG) and three-point threat who can create off the dribble.
-Samuel Dada (F) and Abdulai Fanta Kabba (C, 7-0): Provide size and rebounding (Dada leads the team at ~7.0 RPG); key to controlling the paint at home.
The Citadel:
-Braxton Williams (F, 6-6): Bulldogs’ top scorer at ~13.1-13.3 PPG. Efficient shooter, especially from the line and beyond the arc; capable of big scoring nights (has multiple 20+ point games this season). -Sola Adebisi (F): Strong rebounder and interior presence who can dominate the glass and finish efficiently.
-Eze Wali (G) and supporting guards (e.g., Carter Kingsbury): Handle the backcourt playmaking and perimeter defense.
Head-to-Head and What to Watch
The teams split recent history in tight contests, with Citadel taking the January matchup in overtime. Expect a rebounding battle—WCU’s length (with 7-foot Kabba and 6-10 Chase McKey) versus Citadel’s physical frontcourt. Western Carolina will likely push the pace and try to exploit their home crowd energy with transition scoring and three-point attempts. The Citadel will aim to slow the game, limit turnovers, and capitalize on any defensive lapses by WCU.
Key factors:
-Home court advantage — WCU is much stronger at Ramsey Center than on the road.
-Citadel’s road woes — Poor away record makes this a tough test.
-Momentum — WCU needs to snap their skid; Citadel wants to improve to 7-6 in SoCon and build playoff positioning.
-Style clash — Faster-paced, higher-scoring potential if WCU dictates tempo versus a grind-it-out game if Citadel controls possession.
Prediction
Western Carolina should be favored at home in a Purple Out atmosphere, where the crowd and familiar surroundings often spark better execution. Look for the Catamounts to bounce back with a focused effort inside and from the perimeter.
Predicted score: Western Carolina 78, The Citadel 72. This midweek SoCon matchup could have implications for tiebreakers and seeding as both teams jockey for better positioning in the conference standings. Tip-off is at 6:00 PM ET—expect an energetic crowd in Cullowhee!
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