Date: January 22nd, 2017

Time: 2:00 PM

Opponent: Wofford (8-11, 3-3 SoCon)

Place: Freedom Hall

Television: none

Webcast: ESPN 3

Radio online: 640WXSM.com

Wofford 2016-2017 Schedule

Wofford 2016-2017 Roster

Wofford Message Board

Wofford is 3-3 in conference but whipped Furman 67—58 just a few days ago and thrashed Mercer 88-71. On the other hand, they somehow managed to lose to Citadel at home in OT (103-104). On the road, they are 1-6, winning only at Coastal Carolina (76-75). Best OOC win was that one at 9-9 Coastal Carolina. They have played some other teams quite close – Georgia Tech 72-76, Vermont, Bradley and Kent State. But they just scraped by Mars Hill by 3.

Do not expect a "typical" Wofford team. The pace of play for Wofford has been way up this year, and has picked up even further in conference to 83.5 points per game (and a +5.0 point margin). This is a MAJOR change for a Mike Young coached Wofford team, which more typically controls the pace and averages in the 60’s or even 50’s: 2015-2016 (71.8); 2014-2015 (66.6); 2013-2014 (66.8); 2012-2013 (58.1); 2011-2012 (63.9);

Although overall scoring has picked up, 3 point percentage has cooled a bit in conference from .424 to .378, and from 9.8 makes to 8 makes. Eric Garcia has continued his blistering shooting at .516 on 2.7 makes. Fletcher McGee has cooled a little to .385 on 2.5 makes. 6-8 Ryan Sawvell MUST be defended to the perimeter: he is averaging .500 in conference and .471 on the year, but making a little less than 1 a game. After UNCG’s R.J. White went off for 5 three’s you can bet he’ll be trying more. They also defend the 3 well, holding opponents to .287 with 6.2 makes in conference.

They generally close out games well, shooting .842 from the line in conference.

Rebounding has also really picked up in conference play, going from -1.3 OOC to +5.7 in the SoCon.

Turnovers (-2.0) and steals (5.5 to opponents 8.9) remain weak in conference. Eric Garcia remains one of the more infuriating defenders in the league, full of sneaky holds, grabs, trips and flops. And Mike Young one of the more annoying coaches, parked out on the playing surface, particularly when the opponent is in his end.

Mike Young has tightened up his rotation in conference: 3 guys (guards Fletcher McGee and Eric Garcia and 6-8 Ryan Sawvell) get 32 – 34 minutes. 1 guy (6-8 Cameron Jackson) gets 22.7 very productive minutes (15.7 points and 6.3 rebounds). 3 guys (guards Nathan Hoover and Jaylen Allen, and 6-11 Matthew Pegram ) get 16-19 not so productive minutes. Nobody else does much.

Wofford is a very different team than Furman – more of a perimeter threat, less of a front court threat, with guards that can shoot but who are susceptible to turnovers and steals. The Furman game may not tell us a lot about what playing Wofford will be like.

Will the Bucs let the Terriers walk into our place and post only their second road win of the season?

Stats in conference

Guards
6-0 185 Sr Eric Garcia; 34.3 minutes, 18.7 points, 16-31 .516 from 3, 3.7 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 2.0 t.o.’s,
6-4 194 So Fletcher Magee; 33.2 minutes, 15.5 points, 15-39 .385 from 3, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 t.o.’s, 0.6 steals
6-4 180 Fr Nathan Hoover; 19.0 minutes, 5.3 points, 6-22 .273 from 3, 1.8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 t.o.
6-3 185 Sr Jaylen Allen; 17.0 minutes, 3.8 points, 4-11 .364 from 3, 1.9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 t.o., 1.2 steals
6-1 185 Fr Donovan Theme-Love; 11.7 minutes, 3.8 points, 1-8 .125 from 3, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.2 t.o.’s

Front Court:
6-8 215 Rs-Sr Ryan Sawvell; 32.2 minutes, 12.7 points, 5-10 .500 from 3, 7.5 rebounds
6-8 235 So Cameron Jackson; 22.7 minutes, 15.0 points, 0 from 3, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1,8 t.o.’s, 0.8 blocks, 1.2 steals
6-11 240 So Matthew Pegram; 16.2 minutes, 4.5 points, 0 3’s, 3.3 rebounds, 0.5 blocks
6-7 218 Fr Justin Tucker; 9.0 minutes, 2.2 points, 0 3’s, 1.5 rebounds

I am really worried that we might get the same officiating crew that worked Globetrotters vs World All-Stars at Freedom Hall yesterday. These guys lost all control of the game and were unable to maintain order. If Wofford comes in with any pull-the-pants-down defense or water/confetti tricks, we're in big trouble.

I think the Bucs are going to be susceptible to the three-man weave. It seems impossible to stop.

murry bartow, as we know, had a true failure to adapt (for the most part). Although I didn't see the game yesterday, I fear that the World All-Stars may have inherited the coaching staff from the Washington Generals - absolutely notorious for failing to adapt. With *plenty* of game footage available, they continually, it seemed, lacked the ability to see the repeated patterns of ball movement, chicanery, crowd involvement, and yes, even ref-baiting employed by their opponents.

And your observation of the three-man weave is on-point. Being impossible to stop is clearly why bartow kept using it himself.

Nothing more deflating than to play good defense for 29 seconds and have answered prayer shots go in.

Don't know where these refs did come from but they are awful

Good game by both teams so far

(01-22-2017 02:31 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  Don't know where these refs did come from but they are awful

These refs are atrocious but we've made some boneheaded plays to not help our cause.

The over-and-back endline call at 6:22 was incorrect. I was watching closely.

Fletcher McGee is Jimmy Chitwood v2.

Nice 3 by Burrell at the end of the half. Wofford does not play like an 8 win team. How the hell did they lose at home to The Citadel?

The foul on Payne was bad. McGhee blatantly pushed off then airmailed a pass. Payne was going for the ball the same as the Wofford player and they made contact. Should have been a no call. It was like a football play where the DB has just as much right to the ball.

I'm glad to see us pressing more today. Overall it wasn't entirely pretty but we're in a good spot. Let's finish strong in the second half and get a big W.

Off topic, McClung and the Gate City team are in attendance.

Wofford is hitting 3s like UNCG did. That's a little worrisome.

We're trying very hard to find a way to lose this game.
Fortunately, Wofford is doing likewise.

Another wrong call. It's no longer traveling when you fall with the ball unless you try to "advance" it, which the Wofford guy did not.

Take the win. Move on.

AJ made some big plays.

Solid!

We played 40 minutes. Never went on a run. Never allowed Wofford to go on a run. Relentless defense. We played inside, hit mid-range jumpers, and were OK from 3.

I don't think there is a lot of separation within the conference at this point. Despite the overall and conference record, I don't think we are much better than Wofford. Anyone within the top 6-7 of the conference can win the tournament this year.

We played very good defense today and got a well-rounded win.

Well needed win. On to the next.