Southern Conference Hoops

Hey everyone! Welcome back, as we start to make our way through January and get some conference game under our belt. Four games in, every week we have just a bit more separation in the standings. As I stated, I am still not sure what my format will be going forward, regarding covering all ten teams, or limiting it to the top. Honestly, I know it’s cheap but things are busy for me right now and this was more of a “fun” undertaking than anything, so I think at least this week I’m going to just limit it to the teams .500 or better in conference play, and just list the others. 

1. East Tennessee State (12-5, 4-0). Two wins to stay atop the SoCon for ETSU this week. First up, the Buccaneers played host to VMI, and took care of business with a 14 point win. Morris had himself a day with 25 points on 10-12 shooting and 7 rebounds. Barkley, last week’s spotlight player, also continued his hot streak, with 20 and 7. Jaylen Smith came in off the bench to add 13 in 24 minutes. In a very similar game over the weekend, East Tennessee State welcomed in UNC Greensboro, taking over in the second half for an 86-60 victory. Barkley shot lights-out, hitting 11-14 field goals and scoring 24, his fourth straight of 17+ or more points. Both Morris and Taylor contributed big as well, scoring in double digits, while Morris grabbed 6 boards and Taylor dished out 5 assists. 
2. Furman (12-5, 3-1). On Wednesday, Furman travelled to Chattanooga, winning 78-67 in a game that Furman really controlled in the second half. Charles Johnston led the way with 21 points, his season high, along with securing 8 rebounds. Asa Thomas also played meaningful minutes for the Paladins, hitting 3 threes and scoring 16, while also pulling down his season-high 8 boards. Freshman Cole Bowser, in his first game of the season, came off the bench, made all three of his shots, and snagged 10 rebounds. Over the weekend Furman returned home to host VMI, and while close in the first half, took charge for a 21 point win. Alex Wilkins led all scorers with 17, while sophomore guard Eddrin Bronson had his best game of the season off the bench, notching 16 points including 4 threes, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks. 
3. Wofford (11-6, 3-1). In the middle of the week, Wofford hosted UNC Greensboro, taking care of business 97-85, leading from the jump and never looking back. Kahmare Holmes led scoring with 27, continuing to be the Terriers leading scorer for the year. Three other starters scored in double figures, as well as 14 from Chace Watley off the bench. Junior Cayden Vasko was one of those starters, almost nabbing a triple double with 11/9/8. Next over the weekend, the Terriers went on the road to Mercer, holding close until the last ten minutes but ultimately falling by 12. Nils Machowski had 33, sinking 8 threes, and making it two out of the last 3 scoring 30+. Holmes also added 22 points while pulling down 8 rebounds, and Vasko had a similar all around showing with an 18/5/4. 
4. UNCG (6-11, 2-2). A Wednesday road trip ended in a 97-85 defeat for UNCG. Forward Justin Neely though had his season-high, scoring 26 including going 13-16 from the line and adding 9 rebounds. Senior Valentino Pinedo also had his season high with 14, and along with 10 rebounds had his second double-double of the season. The Spartans stayed on the road over the weekend, traveling to ETSU to take on the Buccaneers. While back and forth in the first half, ETSU pulled away and ended up with a 86-60 win. For the Spartans, KJ Younger led all scorers with 13, and Neely, despite only scoring 10, pulled down 13 rebounds, and is now averaging over 11 rpg this season. 
5. Mercer (10-7, 2-2). Two wins this week for Mercer, both at home. First on Wednesday, the Bears hosted The Citadel, dominating both ends in a 101-63 victory. Led by 18 points and 11 rebounds from Armani Mighty, guard Quinton Perkins II had a nice bounce back game off the bench, also scoring 18 points on 4-7 from three. The high scoring continued for Mercer over the weekend in a 109-97 win over Wofford. Mighty had another double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and this time guard Baraka Okojie stepped up to lead the Bears, scoring 29 on an efficient 7-13 from the field, while also dishing out 12 assists.
6. Samford (9-8, 2-2). Samford began the week at home taking on Western Carolina, in a game WCU led much of the way but Samford pulled out a close win after a comeback, 82-77. Senior Jadin Booth, who is now averaging 20 ppg this season, scored a team high 33. Three others, Keaton Norris, Will Shaver, and Kam Martin, all contributed solidly with 11 points each. Next the Bulldogs went on the road to Chattanooga. While UTC led significantly most of the contest, Samford pulled within 5 with a minute to go but fell short in the end, 88-79. Dylan Faulkner and Norris had 24 and 23 respectively to lead the way for the Bulldogs.
7. VMI (6-11, 1-3).
8. The Citadel (4-13, 1-3).
9. Chattanooga (7-10, 1-3).
10. Western Carolina (5-10, 1-3).