Jan 21st Conference Play Preview
Breaking down the Big South action for Jan 17th and previewing the action on Jan 21st
Saturday definitely delivered with AMAZING action.
Two teams avoid narrow scares to stay with 1 loss, one needed a prayer on a drive to the rim, the other needed a defensive prayer on a drive to the rim.
Both were answered, so we still have 3 teams with one loss atop the conference. Two of them face off, the other has the day.
Will we have a new team in SOLE possession of #1 in the conference or will we have a new team tied with High Point atop the conference?
That AND SOOOOO MUCH in this preview.
Jan 17th Recap:
Winthrop beats UNC Asheville 69-67
Recap: The first of our 1 loss scares comes from Asheville in a game they NEEDED to win to continue any hopes of trying to win the conference or get a good seed in the conference tournament. Both teams seemingly wanted the other team to win in the first half with both teams having a sluggish back and forth until Winthrop finally broke away a little going up 14-9 with 12 minutes to go. Asheville would cut that lead to 2 points but Winthrop would continue to extend their lead to as much as 9 before halftime before Asheville hit a free throw to cut it to 33-25 going into halftime.
In the start of the second half, Asheville was the hot shot team cutting the lead to 3 in just under 4 minutes. After Asheville cut to 3, Winthrop went on a near kill shot with a 9-0 run putting them up 12 and seemingly putting Asheville away. Much like the game vs Presbyterian, Asheville wanted to fight until the very end cutting it to 2 with 36 seconds left and after a good defensive possession they had a shot to win it. Despite having 3 timeout, Coach Morrell let the possession play out, and that would result in Kareem Rozier poking the ball away from Justin Wright and falling on it to win the game 69-67.
Winthrop Takeaways:
Commander Clouet: Kody Clouet was the superstar for Winthrop with 21 points including 5 3’s along with 6 rebounds.
History in the Making?: As of Jan 21st, Logan Duncomb is on pace for the HIGHEST PER in Winthrop history by over 3 points, and the 6th highest in Big South history.
UNC Asheville Takeaways:
Can’t Take Them Home: Simply put, YOU NEED TO CALL A TO THERE. You can’t take them home with you.
One Score Games: UNC Asheville has been in 3 one score games in conference play and a total of 7 (counting WCU). The amount they’ve won: ZERO.
Thomas Turn Around: Daniel Thomas has been a solid piece in conference play and is showing a breakout we did not see during non conference play.
Presbyterian beats Gardner Webb 92-55
Recap: Coming off a close game to Radford, Gardner Webb was looking to keep that momentum rolling as this game was basically over when it tipped off. Presbyterian scored on their first possession and didn’t look back. By the first media timeout, Presbyterian was up 11-1. That 11-1 was apart of a 21-3 run which ended with Gardner Webb getting a few to fall through the hoop. Presbyterian’s response, a 10-0 run going up 31-9. Presbyterian would carry that momentum leading 40-21 at halftime.
The second half followed the pace of the first half with Presbyterian in complete control including a 10-2 run mid way through the 2nd half and then a final massive 13-0 run to end the game before Gardner Webb hit a layup as the final make for either team as Presbyterian won 92-55.
Presbyterian Takeaways:
Perfect Game?: If you are Presbyterian, this has to be a perfect game in your eyes, 1.31 Points Per Possession, lead the entire game (outside of the first 20 seconds at 0-0) and the 18th most dominant win this season.
Hudson Hornet: Khalon Hudson with 17 points off the bench was a nice spark for Presbyterian, only missing 1 FG and 1 FT all game.
Gardner Webb Takeaways:
Open Letter to GWU’s Admin: I don’t need to put any takeaways, I understand the issue at Gardner Webb. It’s been the issue all year, it’s not the coaching staff, it’s not the players. It’s the Green, The Moolah, The $$$. I am asking the admin, as a fan of all 9 Big South schools, PLEASE give this team support, found a collective, do SOMETHING MORE to support your program. I can’t believe there is not 5-10 people who could cut a check to help this team. I know football is KING, it always will be but I ask, Nate Evans, Brenden Fahey if you see this.
PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS, your fans, players, students and coaches deserve it.
Radford beats Longwood 85-83
Recap: The Battle of Virginia in the Big South looked like the Slaughter of Virginia to begin this one with Radford starting out with a 17-3 lead just over 6 minutes into the game. Radford was able to get that lead to 17 multiple times led by their hot 70% shooting from inside the arc and 53% shooting from beyond the arc. Longwood just wasn’t able to cut into the lead in the 1st half entering halftime down 17.
In the 2nd half, slowly but surely Longwood would capitalize on Radford’s achilles heel, that being holding on to a 2nd half lead. Longwood was able to cut it from 18 to 11 with 14 minutes left to go. Longwood continued to cut the lead getting to the 7 points with 10 minutes to go, then finally to 3 with just over 4 minutes to go. Radford started to sense the comeback it was too late, Longwood was back in it tying it at 80 with 1:10 left, after two three’s from both teams, the game was in Zach Chu’s hands. Then the game entered the hands of Del Jones, and with a quick drive to the rim, HE CALLED GAME.
Radford Takeaways:
2nd Half Horrors: No matter what happens, it seems Radford can’t hold onto a 2nd half lead. Radford allows the 341st defensive 2nd half points.
Fantastic Freshman: Frederik Erichsen won Big South Freshman of the Week including 8 points and 2 rebounds in this content.
Longwood Takeaways:
Tucker’s Sweet 16: Elijah Tucker ended the game with 17 points and 16 rebounds, a new career high for rebounds for Tucker.
Turnovers: Longwood lost the turnover battle 15-10 but only 4 of which were steals.
Redd, Yellow, GREEN: Redd Thompson has the GREEN light in Ronnie Thomas’ system having 21 points in this game including the 3 that tied the game at 83.
High Point beats USC Upstate 89-69
Recap: Coming off their loss to Winthrop, High Point was looking to hit the rest button before entering their off week, Upstate wanted to keep their momentum rolling. Upstate began the scoring at the free throw line before quickly losing the lead to High Point which would be the only lead change of the game. High Point would jump to a 12-3 lead their largest lead of the game to that point before Upstate cut into a bit before once again they got a 9 point lead. Once again Upstate came back even tying the game at 27 but entered the half behind High Point 35-31.
The second half started much like the entire first half with High Point in control but not really able to pull away, Upstate just seemingly kept themselves in the game via the offensive glass and making shot even tying the game at 53 with 12 minutes left to go in the game. After that bucket, High Point ended the game on 36-16 run over the last 12 minutes to win the game 89-69.
High Point Takeaways:
Scary Terry: Terry Anderson in a self described “not good” game led the team in points with 22 and rebounds with 12.
All Around Aquino: Owen Aquino with one of the most interesting stat lines I’ve seen all season with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks and 0 assists. The only player to have such a stat line this season.
The Return of the Cam: In the post game press conference, one massive elephant question was answered, “Where is Williams?” which was corrected to “Where is Cam Fletcher?”, Flynn addressed it as a internal issue which wasn’t news, but added “We expect him to be back.”
USC Upstate Takeaways:
Glass Cleaners: Jafeth Martinez and Breylin Garcia combined for 20 rebounds including 13 offensive rebounds between the duo.
Leader Learic: In Big South conference play, Learic Davis has lead Upstate in scoring in 3 of the 5 games including their win over Charleston Southern.
Jan 21st Previews:
UNC Asheville at USC Upstate - 6pm EST
Preview: The biggest Big South rivalry, the world renowned Ingles I-26 Rivalry has their first game on Wednesday and it should be an interesting one. This game is truly a matter of depth vs talent. UNC Asheville has probably 2-3 of the best players in the game but has nothing really outside of those, Upstate has a ton of medium level talent but no really “WOW” player. I think this game being at home really helps Upstate pull away with a close, but very much needed win.
Score Prediction: USC Upstate 75 - UNC Asheville 73
Radford at Winthrop - 6:30pm EST
Preview: The game that is either first place, or a tie for first place depending on the winner. Winthrop currently has the tie breaker over High Point but with a win they will have 1st place by .5 games due to not having their bye game yet. Radford would become first if they win due to again a tie breaker which would set up a true game for first on Saturday against High Point. Sadly, I don’t think that game for first will happen on Saturday. Winthrop has played a harder schedule and I’m not convinced Radford is all that despite their 4-1 record so for that reason, and home court, I am taking Winthrop.
Score Prediction: Winthrop 87 - Radford 80
Gardner Webb at Longwood - 7pm EST
Preview: This is a game Longwood needs, after their heartbreaking loss to Radford they now sit at 2-3 and have a chance to get to .500 before facing Charleston Southern. Gardner Webb still looking for win #1 and this is a game where it could be done as Longwood has stumbled at time. I don’t think Longwood stumbles this time though as I think they roll past Gardner Webb and win pretty handedly.
Score Prediction: Longwood 73 - Gardner Webb 65
Charleston Southern at Presbyterian - 7pm EST
Preview: Charleston Southern comes off their bye week after suffering 3 brutal losses to Winthrop, High Point and USC Upstate and now have to face Presbyterian which is coming off two big wins over UNC Asheville and Gardner Webb. This game will come down to how CSU used their off time to prepare, if they failed to fix their mistakes from the last 3 games, they’ll drop this game. I think CSU used this time correctly and I think they get a perfect get right road win over Presbyterian and get back to .500.
Score Prediction: Charleston Southern 77 - Presbyterian 72