Fab Five: A Big South Recap Week 7
Another amazing week of Big South action has passed which means another Big South Weekly Recap.
Also means another amazing week ahead for the Big South.
Talking Points:
1. Big South Standings Recap
High Point once again is at the top of the standings and looks to be in the drivers seat for their hopes of getting the #1 seed for the Big South tournament. UNC Asheville is .5 games back but if both teams win out, Asheville is too far behind the NET ratings to overcome High Point.
The rest of the standings below:
2. ESPN U headed to the New River Valley
This weeks ESPN U wild card game has been picked (last week) and it’s UNC Asheville at Radford.
This is UNC Asheville’s and Radford’s Second Wild Card game of the season and should be a really good game.
3. Big South getting Top 25 votes
In the AP Poll on Monday, something shocking happened involving the Big South. High Point recieved a Top 25 vote.
While I thought it could happen this week, I assumed it would happen maybe one week later if at all.
4. Big South Players of the Week
On Monday afternoon the Big South announced the Player of the Week and the Freshman of the Week. The Player of the Week being Taje Kelly and the Freshman being Josh Ibukunoluwa.
Player of the Week: Taje Kelly averaged 24.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists. He opened with 28 points with 6 rebounds in Charleston Southern’s victory over Presbyterian on Wednesday. Kelly then tallied 21 points with eight caroms in Saturday’s close defeat at UNC Asheville.
Freshman of the Week: Josh Ibukunoluwa averaged 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds off the bench last week. Including his 10 point performance vs Longwood which at the time was his career high for points along with 5 rebounds. Then Josh broke his career record again with 13 points and a game high 8 rebounds vs Winthrop.
5.
Weekly Recap:
Radford at Winthrop:
Wednesday in a close and thrilling contest, the Winthrop Eagles eked out the Radford Highlanders with a 78-74 victory at home. Senior guard Nick Johnson led the Winthrop Eagles with a 20 point performance, also add six rebounds to the cause. The game was closely contested through the end, with both teams showcasing their best hoops of the season, but Winthrop's ability to capitalize down the strecth.
UNC Asheville at USC Upstate:
In a true barn burner game inside the G.B. Hodge Center, UNC Asheville got a 92-85 victory over USC Upstate. The first half ended up tied at 42, but after a strong second half in which, UNC Asheville outscored USC Upstate 50-43 in the second half to get the win. Jordan Marsh was the sparkplug for UNC Asheville's offense, scoring all of his 27 points in the second half. Toyaz Solomon contributed with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while senior guard Josh Banks added 14 points. For USC Upstate, both young stars, Karmani Gregory and Mister Dean tallied 23 points each, with Dean also recorded five steals.
Charleston Southern at UNC Asheville:
In another very close UNC Asheville game, Asheville help maintain their perfect home record with a 75-72 victory over Charleston Southern. Senior guard Josh Banks led the Bulldogs with 23 points, while Toyaz Solomon added 17 points and 8 rebounds. PG Jordan Marsh contributed 14 points, along with Fletcher Abee scored 11 points, including clutch free throws in the final seconds to secure the win. Charleston Southern's super star Taje' Kelly and transfer Lamar Oden Jr. scored 21 and 20 points each. This victory improved UNC Asheville's home record to 12-0 on the season.
Weekly Previews:
Winthrop at Presbyterian:
In what is expected to an interesting matchup on Wednesday, Winthrop makes the shorter trip to Clinton, SC to face the Blue Hose of Presbyterian. For Presbyterian you will NEED stop and or limit Kelton Talford and KJ Doucet. For Winthrop you need to force Mincy to take the majority of PC’s shots. I lean toward PC being able to beat Winthrop mostly due to the daunted home court advantage of the Big South.
Prediction: Winthrop 69 - Presbyterian 75
UNC Asheville at Radford:
Our ESPN U game for this week should leave ZERO unhappy fans as ESPN U is headed to the New River Valley to see UNC Asheville vs Radford. In what will likely be a close game, the keys to win for UNC Asheville is stopping Jarvis Moss and keeping Harris and the other bigs off the boards. The keys to win for Radford is simply stopping Jordan Marsh and Toyaz Solomon. I lean UNC Asheville, stopping Marsh hasn’t been done by many Big South teams yet this season.
Prediction: UNC Asheville 82 - Radford 73
Longwood at UNC Asheville:
After their ESPN U game vs Radford, Asheville make the trip back to Kimmel Arena to face the other VA Big South school, Longwood. Longwood was UNC Asheville’s only loss outside of High Point this season. The key for Longwood outside of trying to find more depth is like Radford stopping Jordan Marsh. UNC Asheville it’s simple, DEFEND HOME COURT.
Prediction: Longwood 77 - UNC Asheville 79