Southern Conference Hoops

Hey everyone! Can you believe we are halfway through January!? The season is flying by. Hope you are in a warmer climate than I am, because it is quite cold up here in the Midwest, but we are still rooting hard for the great hoops happening down in the SoCon. I think I’ve settled on a format, covering just the top teams in the league each week. Unfortunately that will leave several team recaps out, but I will try to still highlight some players through the week. A busy schedule has impacted this side project, so it goes. 

1. East Tennessee State (13-6, 5-1). Another week at the top for ETSU, despite a pair of split decisions. Going on the road Wednesday to WCU, the Buccaneers played it razor close all game, unfortunately falling 72-68. Playing 39 minutes, Brian Taylor II led scoring with 23, and unsurprisingly recent standout Blake Barkley continued his consistent streak of scoring in double figures, and marking a double double with 15 and 10. Morris also added 19 points with 3 rebounds and 4 assists. In another super close game over the weekend, ETSU pulled out a tough win on the road at Samford by one, holding on for a 76-75 victory. For the Buccs, Barkley did what he does best, shooting the ball well, hitting 9-10 from the field and 8-8 from the line for 26 points, to go along with 11 rebounds.Three other starters, Morris, Taylor, and Allen Strothers, scored in double figures. 
2. Furman (13-6, 4-2). Furman too split the week, but started nicely getting a road win at Samford on Wednesday. Despite being down for much of the first half, and a close game end to end, Furman pulled it out 77-73. Freshman Alex Wilkins has continued to have a tremendous freshman season, and notching a season-high 28, to go along with 5 assists. Down low, Charles Johnsonston does the work, grabbing 14 rebounds to go with his 9 points. Over the weekend the Paladins returned home to host Wofford, and despite leading by 13 with 10 to go, ended up falling 74-70. Despite some tough shooting numbers, Wilkins again led the way with 19 points. Off the bench, Abijah Franklin put up 14 points and 6 rebounds, both season highs. 
3. Mercer (12-7, 4-2). A four game win streak for Mercer, as they went on the road for both matchups this week. First they defeated VMI 77-67, after a neck and neck game all the way, and even trailing with six minutes to go. In an excellent balance, five players scored in double figures, despite only shooting 14% from three. Brady Shoulders had his second 20 point game of the season, while the stand-out for the game was certainly Armani Mighty, who scored 18 on an efficient 8-10 shooting, and pulled down 25 rebounds. Twenty five rebounds. Continuing the road trip over the weekend, the Bears travelled to Greensboro to take on the Spartans, where they got the high scoring win, 102-92. Mighty had himself another double double on a perfect 7-7 from the field, and Barakak Okojie was the high scoring man with 25. The twenty five included going 14-18 from the free throw line. 
4. Wofford (12-7, 4-2). A tough home loss started the week for the Terriers, as they fell to Chattanooga 76-67. For Wofford, Kahmare Holmes continued to lead the team in scoring, putting up 22 as well as pulling down 7 boards. Cayden Vasko has been consistent across the board all season for the Terriers, and kept that up against the Mocs with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Next Wofford pulled off an improbable come from behind road win at Furman on Saturday. In the four point victory, both Holmes and Nils Machowski scored 20, and freshman Brian Sumpter had his first double-double since November, with 10 points and a season-high 14 rebounds. 
5. UNCG (7-12, 3-3). 
6. Chattanooga (9-10, 3-3).
7. Samford (9-10, 2-4).
8. The Citadel (5-14, 2-4).
9. Western Carolina (6-11, 2-4).
10. VMI (6-13, 1-5).