Date: January 20th, 2021

Time: 4:00 PM

Opponent: Western Carolina (7-5, 0-3 SoCon)

Place: Ramsey Center

Television: none

Webcast: ESPN+

Radio online: 640WXSM.com

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WESTERN CAROLINA 7-5 (0-3 in SoCon); Kenpom, #195 (#143 Offense, #268 Defense)

After a successful 7-2 OOC against a fairly weak schedule, the Cats have had an 0-3 start in the SoCon. But there hasn’t been much difference in their performance. Almost all the OOC games were very close (including 4 overtime wins and a 2 point loss), and the 3 SoCon losses (ETSU, Mercer and Samford) have also been close. There can be a fine line between winning and losing. Expect more of the same: strong offense (82.3 ppg, 23rd in D1), fairly weak defense (78.9 ppg, 321st in D1) and a close finish. That's a profile that several SoCon teams have this year.

Biggest changes in the Cats since our last meeting are 6-7 220 Presby transfer Cory Hightower settling in with 4 games under his belt – big pluses are 14.0 ppg (but only 0.3 three’s) and 8.0 rebounds. Biggest negative is a whopping 5.0 turnovers. And former all-Freshman 6-3 Kam Gibson, now a Junior, finally making an appearance the last 2 games. After his great freshman year, he missed most of last season with knee problems. He’s lugging a big metal knee brace that looks like one of those Donjoy contraptions that SEC offensive tackles wear. But he still nails the 3, averaging 6.0 ppg on .500 from 3 (2.0 makes) in 14.5 minutes. He rivals Matt Halvorsen (15.4 ppg on .458 from 3 with 4.1 makes in 38.1 minutes) as a 3 point shooter. He can’t run off screens like Halvorsen with that brace though! We spent most of our first contest with WCU chasing Halvorsen. The guy who’s lost the most minutes with the arrival of Hightower and Gibson is 6-1 Soph Travion McCray.

Our first run in with the Cats is looking more and more like maybe it was a turn around game, with the Bucs becoming more confident in their offense, guys like Serrel Smith and Damari improving, and Ledarrius blowing up. Let’s see if ETSU can keep moving forward. I’ll bet that record 16 three’s in a game is not the ceiling for this team. But you don’t want to see them make the mistake of just heaving up quick 3’s either. Work for the good shot first, and take the 3 in the context of the offense.

Kenpom predicts another close one: ETSU by 1 on the road, 73-72.

Guards:
#11 6-1 190 Sr-Tr Mason Faulkner; 36.5 min., 17.6 ppg on .333 from 3 (1.5 makes); 5.9 rebs, 4.5 ast, 1.3 stl, 3.6 t.o.’s
#2 6-1 183 Sr Matt Halvorsen; 38.1 min., 15.4 ppg on .458 from 3 (4.1 makes – 5 in D1, 2 in SoCon); 2.7 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.6 stl, 1.1 t.o.
#1 6-1 187 So Travion McCray; 28.3 min., 9.9 ppg on .269 from 3 (1.2 makes), 3.5 reb, 2.8 ast, 1.3 stl, 2.3 t.o.
#14 6-3 192 Jr Kameron Gibson; 2 games, 14.5 min., 6.0 ppg on .500 from 3 (2.0 makes)
#0 6-1 167 Fr Sin’Cere McMahon; 15.3 min., 5.3 ppg on .450 from 3 (0.9 makes), 1.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.0 t.o.

Front Court:
#12 6-7 222 Jr-Tr (Presby) Cory Hightower; 4 games, 31.3 min., 14.0 ppg (0.3 three’s), 8.0 reb, 1.5 ast, 5.0 t.o.
#13 6-9 235 So Xavier Cork; 28.9 min., 15.0 ppg, 0 3’s, 6.1 reb, 1.9 asst, 1.8 blk, 2.4 t.o.
#4 6-7 195 So Tyler Harris; 29.9 min., 9.4 ppg on .458 from 3 (1.2 makes), 5.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.6 t.o.
#25 6-8 218 Rs-Fr Ahmir Langlais; 11.6 min., 3.8 ppg, 0 3’s, 3.0 reb, 0.7 t.o.

(01-19-2021 11:13 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  WESTERN CAROLINA 7-5 (0-3 in SoCon); Kenpom, #195 (#143 Offense, #268 Defense)

After a successful 7-2 OOC against a fairly weak schedule, the Cats have had an 0-3 start in the SoCon. But there hasn’t been much difference in their performance. Almost all the OOC games were very close (including 4 overtime wins and a 2 point loss), and the 3 SoCon losses (ETSU, Mercer and Samford) have also been close. There can be a fine line between winning and losing. Expect more of the same: strong offense (82.3 ppg, 23rd in D1), fairly weak defense (78.9 ppg, 321st in D1) and a close finish. That's a profile that several SoCon teams have this year.

Biggest changes in the Cats since our last meeting are 6-7 220 Presby transfer Cory Hightower settling in with 4 games under his belt – big pluses are 14.0 ppg (but only 0.3 three’s) and 8.0 rebounds. Biggest negative is a whopping 5.0 turnovers. And former all-Freshman 6-3 Kam Gibson, now a Junior, finally making an appearance the last 2 games. After his great freshman year, he missed most of last season with knee problems. He’s lugging a big metal knee brace that looks like one of those Donjoy contraptions that SEC offensive tackles wear. But he still nails the 3, averaging 6.0 ppg on .500 from 3 (2.0 makes) in 14.5 minutes. He rivals Matt Halvorsen (15.4 ppg on .458 from 3 with 4.1 makes in 38.1 minutes) as a 3 point shooter. He can’t run off screens like Halvorsen with that brace though! We spent most of our first contest with WCU chasing Halvorsen. The guy who’s lost the most minutes with the arrival of Hightower and Gibson is 6-1 Soph Travion McCray.

Our first run in with the Cats is looking more and more like maybe it was a turn around game, with the Bucs becoming more confident in their offense, guys like Serrel Smith and Damari improving, and Ledarrius blowing up. Let’s see if ETSU can keep moving forward. I’ll bet that record 16 three’s in a game is not the ceiling for this team. But you don’t want to see them make the mistake of just heaving up quick 3’s either. Work for the good shot first, and take the 3 in the context of the offense.

Kenpom predicts another close one: ETSU by 1 on the road, 73-72.

Guards:
#11 6-1 190 Sr-Tr Mason Faulkner; 36.5 min., 17.6 ppg on .333 from 3 (1.5 makes); 5.9 rebs, 4.5 ast, 1.3 stl, 3.6 t.o.’s
#2 6-1 183 Sr Matt Halvorsen; 38.1 min., 15.4 ppg on .458 from 3 (4.1 makes – 5 in D1, 2 in SoCon); 2.7 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.6 stl, 1.1 t.o.
#1 6-1 187 So Travion McCray; 28.3 min., 9.9 ppg on .269 from 3 (1.2 makes), 3.5 reb, 2.8 ast, 1.3 stl, 2.3 t.o.
#14 6-3 192 Jr Kameron Gibson; 2 games, 14.5 min., 6.0 ppg on .500 from 3 (2.0 makes)
#0 6-1 167 Fr Sin’Cere McMahon; 15.3 min., 5.3 ppg on .450 from 3 (0.9 makes), 1.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.0 t.o.

Front Court:
#12 6-7 222 Jr-Tr (Presby) Cory Hightower; 4 games, 31.3 min., 14.0 ppg (0.3 three’s), 8.0 reb, 1.5 ast, 5.0 t.o.
#13 6-9 235 So Xavier Cork; 28.9 min., 15.0 ppg, 0 3’s, 6.1 reb, 1.9 asst, 1.8 blk, 2.4 t.o.
#4 6-7 195 So Tyler Harris; 29.9 min., 9.4 ppg on .458 from 3 (1.2 makes), 5.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 2.6 t.o.
#25 6-8 218 Rs-Fr Ahmir Langlais; 11.6 min., 3.8 ppg, 0 3’s, 3.0 reb, 0.7 t.o.

GO BUCS!!!

ETSU's offense could really get in high gear if the Bucs develop a reliable threat in the post. I hope Coach Shay makes it a point to play Amaefule and Weber, even if they make mistakes. A little pain now could pay big dividends in March.

^ Like it. Adheke has not been “thunderous” in the post, but he is quietly getting buckets at good times. I believe he scored the first basket, first touch for us vs. VMI. We need backup we can count on.

Let’s see how the Bucs’ stamina is holding up. Vonnie Patterson is the go-to man on Halvorsen. Confidence is rising all-around, just need to keep it a team effort and share the ball for that offense to keep exploding.

(01-20-2021 10:06 AM)shampoo Wrote:  ^ Like it. Adheke has not been “thunderous” in the post, but he is quietly getting buckets at good times. I believe he scored the first basket, first touch for us vs. VMI. We need backup we can count on.

Let’s see how the Bucs’ stamina is holding up. Vonnie Patterson is the go-to man on Halvorsen. Confidence is rising all-around, just need to keep it a team effort and share the ball for that offense to keep exploding.

Was wondering about Stamina too.. by saturday, it will be our 4th game in 7days

Would love to send them to 0-4

We look flat! Settling for 3's

Dude, blow these scrubs out in the 2nd half. WCU may be scrappy, but they don’t have an “it” factor.

Was good seeing us attack the basket, and not relying on L Brewer. Hopefully he comes out very aggressive in the 2nd half.

Nice win. Brewer boys stepped up in the 2nd half.

The streak continues.

I am so relieved by the win. First half was rough. Bucs seem to out coach the other team in second halves which is a habit I really like.

Nice run at the end of each half. Poor shooting by both teams. Kind of an ugly win but beats an ugly loss.

I will take a win anyway they get them. Little by little they have found a way. Go Bucs

Wow. VMI just beat Furman.

(01-20-2021 08:55 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Wow. VMI just beat Furman.

Yes! Sole possession of 1st place can be ours Saturday! Let's go BUCS!

(01-20-2021 09:01 PM)DaBuc Brass Wrote:  

(01-20-2021 08:55 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Wow. VMI just beat Furman.

Yes! Sole possession of 1st place can be ours Saturday! Let's go BUCS!

Assuming Wofford beats WCU Saturday, they will be 6-1. So even with a win over Furman, we won't have sole possession of 1st., if I am reading up to date standings correctly.

VMI is an extremely dangerous team.

Yes, VMI is dangerous. But so is most every team in the SoCon this year, where most every team has some skill and especially, scoring power. Let them stay in the game, and a late run or two can kill you. Even Samford thumped a fine Belmont team.

VMI had 6-5 Senior Myles Lewis back in the lineup against Furman, one of their best players. He missed several previous games, including the ETSU game. Lewis didn't do much on the stat sheet, but he got a key basket down the stretch against Furman.

Also, this was a home game for the Keydets, who have the biggest home/road differential in the SoCon. They are 8-7: 8-1 at home and 0-6 on the road. ALL of their wins have come at home. They have lost only 1 home game - by 2 to Wofford on a last second Storm Murphy 3. They have yet to win a road game. ETSU's win over VMI was, of course, at Freedom Hall. The challenge of winning in Lexington is still ahead.

(01-20-2021 04:54 PM)shampoo Wrote:  WCU may be scrappy, but they don’t have an “it” factor.

I think that's 'it'. (And a nice follow-up to your pithy "all cannon and no fort" comment for VMI.) One could *almost* say they have equal talent to ETSU - depending on how one measures that. It's kinda mysterious how they lose games that they have no business losing - yesterday being a great example. We could have lost that game by 15-20 *easily*. But the Bucs responded, and Catamounts couldn't respond back. Yesterday, watching............I was thinking, "poise" in reference to them, but I don't know that that's it. They didn't seem to lose their poise, as much as not exploiting their advantages properly. Their execution failed moreso than even ours (often) did. We got lucky; but it's also true to say it's somehow easy to get lucky against WCU. I don't know if that's Prosser's fault, or maybe the type of player they've recruited, or what. We've all been realizing the potential of this WCU team, and theorizing that they're better than they were with Dotson - which I think is *potentially* true - but they're just not making it happen. Quite mysterious, actually.