Southern Conference Basketball Previews

GREENVILLE, S.C.—With Christmas now in the rear-view mirror, Southern Conference teams begin to shift their focus towards the second phase of the college basketball season—conference play. This is the most important part of the season for mid-major conferences. All 12 teams in the SoCon will commence SoCon play in early January.

The following slideshow will take a look at games from Dec. 28-30, including Western Carolina's game against Blue Ridge Parkway rival UNC Asheville, which is known at the "Parkway Series" game.

Also on Dec. 28, Wofford heads to South Carolina, looking to claim a second win over the Gamecocks in as many seasons, and Elon will be the second SoCon team to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels this season.

Chattanooga will open play in the Dr. Pepper Classic on Dec. 29 against Longwood. Rounding out the slideshow will be a preview of Furman's trip to UNC Wilmington on Dec. 30. 

Wofford Looks for Second Win over South Carolina in Three Seasons

Wofford (7-5, 1-1 SoCon) at South Carolina (5-6, 0-0 SEC)

Introducing the Matchup:

Wofford heads to South Carolina looking for a victory over the Gamecocks for the second time in three seasons. The Terriers dropped a 64-53 decision to the Gamecocks last season, but posted a 68-61 win over South Carolina at the Benjamin Johnson Arena in 2009.

The Gamecocks haven't fared all that well against SoCon teams as of late, losing at Elon (53-58) earlier this season, while dropping a 91-75 game at Furman just before Christmas last season. The Gamecocks did open the season with a double-digit win over Western Carolina (75-50) at Colonial Life Arena.

Wofford has graduated four of five starters from a team that won back-to-back SoCon basketball crowns.

The Terriers and Gamecocks will be meeting for the 62nd time in series history, with the Gamecocks owning a commanding 42-19 series edge.

South Carolina is no stranger to dropping games to teams from mid-major conferences as of late. In addition to the loss to Elon earlier this season, the Gamecocks also dropped a contest to Ohio Valley Conference member Tennessee State (64-63), and had to come from behind in a 61-57 win over SWAC member Mississippi Valley State.

The Gamecocks enter the Dec. 28 contest with a 189-52 all-time mark against foes from the Southern Conference.

A Look at the Gamecocks:

South Carolina head coach Darin Horn is in his fourth season at the helm in the capital city of South Carolina. His 55-48 record coming into the matchup against the Terriers hasn't exactly been endearing to the home folks, and he is squarely on the "hot seat" this season.

Coming to Horn's aid, however, has been Bruce Ellington (8.0 PPG, 1.6 RPG), who is the Gamecocks' best individual player. Ellington, though, has only played in five games, as he is also a running back on the football team. Ellington will be in the lineup tonight, but will still have to miss one more game due to football. He'll miss the upcoming game against USC Upstate as a result of the Outback Bowl game against Nebraska on Jan. 2.

Ellington is the team's best perimeter shooter, but has struggled this season, having connected on only 4-of-19 attempts from long range this season. Eric Smith (7.5 PPG, 1.4 RPG) is expected to start in the backcourt for the Gamecocks on Wednesday night—he has started all 11 previous contests in the backcourt coming into the game against the Terriers.

Horn employs a rare lineup, which features Smith as the only backcourt player. Smith will start at the point for the Gamecocks on Wednesday. He enjoyed his best scoring performance of the season against Tennessee State in a loss, posting 18 points and connecting on 6-of-10 shots from the field, including 5-for-7 from three-point range.

Set to start at one of the four forward positions will be Lakeem Jackson (5.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG), who is one of the best athletes on the team. Jackson has started seven of 11 games this season for the Gamecocks. He is an excellent leaper and posted his best performance this season in the loss to Tennessee State, scoring 12 points in his lone double-figure output.

The trio of forwards that round out the starting five for the Gamecocks heading into Wednesday night's game will be Malik Cooke (13.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG), Damontre Harris (5.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG) and Anthony Gill (9.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG).

Cooke, a 6'6" senior forward, has been the best player for the Gamecocks this season, leading the team in scoring. He's the only South Carolina player averaging double figures coming into the contest. Cooke had his best performances of the season against Providence and Ohio State—both Gamecock losses—posting 21 points in both setbacks. He had 14 points in South Carolina's most recent outing, a 62-43 win over Southeastern Louisiana exactly one week ago.

Gill is the team's second-leading scorer, averaging right on the cusp of double figures for South Carolina. He has scored in double figures in the past four games, matching Cooke's 14 points in the previous outing against Southeastern Louisiana.

Gill's 5.2 RPG lead the team, and he has led the Gamecocks in scoring in three games this season, scoring a season-high 14 points in a pair of those games, including the last time out. He also had 14 points in the 75-50 win over Western Carolina to open the 2011-12 season.

Harris rounds out the starting five for the Gamecocks. He plays most like a center for South Carolina, although he's not a true center. Recently, Harris scored a career-high 15 points in a loss to Southern California. Harris, who leads the team with 21 blocks this season, recorded five blocks in back-to-back wins over Presbyterian and Clemson.

The Gamecocks have a deep bench, with the aforementioned Ellington being joined by R.J. Slawson (5.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG), Brian Richardson (3.9 PPG, 1.7 RPG ) and Damien Leonard (6.6 PPG, 1.4 RPG). Leonard leads the team in perimeter shooting, as he has connected on a team-best 18 triples, but he's shooting just 28.1 percent (18-of-64) from long range this season.

As a team, South Carolina is averaging 63.0 PPG, while surrendering 62.3 PPG to opponents through 11 games this season. The Gamecocks are shooting 41.7 percent from the field this season, while opponents are connecting on 43.6 percent. South Carolina is shooting just 31.0 percent from three-point range, while opponents are shooting nearly 40 percent (39.7 percent) against the Gamecocks this season. 

A Look at the Terriers:

After graduating four starters from a team that won back-to-back Southern Conference titles, the Terriers have had some growing pains early on in the 2011-12 season. Still, they've managed to get off to a solid 6-5 start. The Terriers were defeated in their most recent outing prior to the Christmas holiday, dropping an 89-79 game to High Point at Benjamin Johnson Arena. 

The lone returning starter for the Terriers this season is junior guard Brad Loesing (13.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.0 APG), who is currently ranks third in the SoCon in assists and is second on the team in scoring. He's also tied for second on the team in three-pointers made, with 19 triples. Loesing put in his best 40 minutes of action in the win over Tulane in early December, scoring a career-high 24 points in the win.

Joining Loesing in the Terrier backcourt on Wednesday night will be 6'1" freshman guard Karl Cochran (9.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG), who is off to a strong start this season for the Terriers. Cochran has scored in double figures in six games this season, including a season-high 19 points in a 70-55 win over Emory & Henry in the home opener. Cochran is tied for second on the team in three-pointers made, with 19.

Rounding out the expected backcourt starters for the Terriers on Wednesday night is leading scorer Kevin Giltner (16.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG). Giltner is one of the best long-range shooters in the Southern Conference—he has knocked down a team-best 30 triples this season, while shooting 35.7 percent (30-of-84) from three-point range.

In contrast to previous seasons in Giltner's career with the Terriers, the three-point shot isn't the only way he can score. He has continued to develop his all-around game in his four years under Mike Young. Giltner can now drive to the basket as a scoring threat off the dribble. Giltner had a season-high 29 points earlier this season in a 70-66 win over Bradley. Giltner is coming off a 28-point scoring performance in the 87-79 loss to High Point. 

Set to start in the paint on Wednesday evening against the Gamecocks are forwards Drew Crowell (8.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG) and Domas Rinksalis (2.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG). Crowell, a senior forward from Charleston, S.C., is not known for his scoring, but has scored in double figures in five games this season, and will be making his 12th start in 13 games this season. Crowell enjoyed his best outing of the season in a 72-69 SoCon loss to Davidson back in early December. Crowell leads the Terriers on the defensive end of the floor, with 11 blocks this season.

Like Crowell, Rinksalis isn't a player that is looked to for points for Wofford, but he is expected to step up and provide on the defensive end of the floor for Young's Terriers. Rinksalis, a sophomore post player from Lithuania, will be making his 10th start of the season on Wednesday night against the Gamecocks. Rinksalis enjoyed his only double-figure scoring game of the season—which also turned out to be his career-high scoring performance—against UMKC, as he posted 10 points in the 64-58 overtime loss. 

On the bench, Wofford will look to get production from Lee Skinner (6.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG) and Aerris Smith (4.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG), who have both played well in their roles this season for the Terriers. Skinner enjoyed his best game of the season against UMKC, scoring 13 points in the loss, while Smith posted a season-high 14 points in the win over UVA.-Wise.

As a team, Wofford enters Wednesday night's contest at Colonial Life Arena averaging 63.3 PPG, while opponents are scoring an identical 63.3 PPG. The Terriers are connecting on 43.5 percent of their shots from the field this season, while opponents are making good on 42.0 percent of their shots. Wofford is shooting 31.4 percent from three-point range this season, while opponents are shooting 33.0 percent.

Final Score Prediction: 67-55, South Carolina

Western Carolina Hosts UNC Asheville in Blue Ridge Parkway Rivalry

UNC Asheville (6-5, 1-0 Big South) at Western Carolina (6-6, 2-0 SoCon)

Introducing the Matchup:

Western Carolina will host UNC Asheville in a key non-conference tilt on Wednesday night in the Blue Ridge Parkway Series.

Both teams are expected to be at the top of their respective leagues this season, with UNC Asheville picked to win the Big South Conference. Western Carolina is the two-time defending champ in the SoCon's North Division. 

The Bulldogs claimed an 85-79 win over the Catamounts last season at UNC Asheville. Wednesday night's matchup between the two will mark the 43rd all-time meeting between the teams, with the Bulldogs holding a 23-19 all-time series edge. Both teams enter the Wednesday night matchup with six wins apiece on the season.

The Bulldogs and Catamounts have played to a dead heat over the past eight seasons, with the two teams going 4-4 against each other during that time period. 

A Look at the Bulldogs:

The Bulldogs were last in action a week ago, as UNC Asheville dropped a heartbreaking 70-68 decision at Tennessee. 

Just like last season, the Bulldogs are a guard-oriented club, led by preseason Big South Conference Player of the Year Matt Dickey (15.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG) and dynamic backcourt scorer J.P. Primm (14.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG). Dickey can contribute in a variety of different ways—he can score off the dribble and also possesses a lethal outside jumper. Dickey is one of four Bulldogs that enters the contest averaging in double figures.

Dickey leads the team in three-point shooting this season, as he enters the contest connecting on 22-of-50 (44.0 percent) from beyond the arc. Dickey had a season-high 22 points in the 88-82 win over USC Upstate.

Like Dickey, Primm is a prolific shooter from outside, having connected on 21-of-61 threes this season (34.4 percent). He posted his best individual performance of the season against North Carolina in a 91-75 loss, posting a season-best 23 points.

The Bulldogs will also start three veteran players in what is an athletic frontcourt. Leading the way down low will be junior Chris Stephenson (12.9 PPG, 5.9), who is one of the more athletic players on the Bulldogs' roster. Stephenson is shooting a team-best 54.9 percent from the field through the first 11 games this season.

Set to join Stephenson in the paint this evening for UNC Asheville will be Quinard Jackson (5.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG) and Jeremy Atkinson (9.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG). Jackson comes into matchup coming off a career-high tying performance in terms of rebounding, pulling down nine boards in the two-point setback to Tennessee in the most-recent outing.

Off the bench, the Bulldogs feature depth in the backcourt behind Keith Hornsby (5,7 PPG, 1.7 RPG), who has come off the bench to knock down 10-of-19 threes this season for the Bulldogs. Also contributing off the bench has been Trent Meyer (1.0 PPG, 0.9 APG) in the backcourt. The Bulldogs have suffered some depth issues in the frontcourt, as a result of the loss of Jaron Lane to academics.

As a team this season, the Bulldogs are averaging 82.9 PPG, while opponents come in averaging 70.7 PPG. The Bulldogs are shooting an impressive 49.1 percent from the field, while connecting on 35.8 percent from three. Opponents are shooting 42.6 percent from the field this season, while hitting 30.0 percent from three-point range.

A Look at the Catamounts:

Western Carolina won its most recent outing on the hardwood, 68-67, over Bradley last Tuesday night before breaking for Christmas. This will be the second Big South foe the Catamounts have faced this season after defeating Presbyterian earlier.

Much like the Bulldogs, the Catamounts have been led by a strong backcourt. They've been paced by the scoring efforts of senior guard Harouna Mutombo (15.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG) and sophomore sharp-shooter Trey Sumler (11.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG), who was recently named to the "Bob Cousy Award" list.

Mutombo comes in with the ability to score in a variety of different ways, but is most dangerous getting to the hoop off the dribble. Mutombo has scored 21 points twice in a pair of games this season, with the latest of those 21-point outbursts coming against Kent State in a loss. Sumler is the Catamounts' top three-point threat, but has yet to really get going this season, hitting on just 13-of-39 attempts (33.3 percent) so far.

Brandon Boggs (11.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG) rounds out the starters in the backcourt and is the team's best athlete and on-the-ball defender. 

The frontcourt is comprised of Tawaski King (5.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG) and Preston Ross (4.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG), who are a bit undersized, but make up for that with strength and overall physicality underneath the basket. 

The top performers coming off the bench for the Catamounts this season have been point guard Keaton Cole (10.3 PPG, 1.6 RPG) and freshman forward Ishmael Hollis (2.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG). Cole is not only a good scorer and perimeter, but also distributes the ball well off the bench, with 17 assists this season. 

As a team this season, the Catamounts are averaging 65.8 PPG, while surrendering 67.7 PPG to opponents. WCU is shooting the ball at a 41.3 percent clip from the field this season, while connecting on 32.9 percent from three. Opponents are connecting at a 45.7 percent clip, and shooting 35.4 percent from three.

Final Score Prediction: Western Carolina 90, UNC Asheville 88