The conference that's always a LITTLE bit better than anyone wants to admit, that always makes life tough in the tournament, and always provides a ton of excitement when they get together on their own - the CAA tips-off, where the standings literally read (loss column): 2-3-4-5-6-7-9. I mean. Yes comparing #1 to #7, you've got a 7 game difference, but when each preceding team is only one game ahead of the next, virtually anything can happen. Plus, there's some Waiting Line... drama involved as well (mostly for the top 2 teams, but Mason hasn't been excluded from S-curves as of yet).
Drexel didn't look like it was going to be a team who entered Richmond with a 17 game winning streak (and 23 of 24) when they lost to Norfolk St in their second game of the season and dropped their firsst two CAA games of the year. Now, all of their losses but Georgia State, came when Chris Fouch was out. He's not going to get Danny Granger-like sympathy, but he is a key contributor, averaging 10 pts and 23 minutes off the bench - and in their early season losses, Drexel's 7 man rotation has been their achilles - getting just 14 points off the bench in their loss to Norfolk, 2 when Virginia held them to 35 points in a basketball that time wishes it forgot, 12 at Saint Joe's, 15 at Delaware. So it makes more sense, Fouch got back, shaking off the effects of his offseason knee surgery, and suddenly the rotation got stronger, and Drexel was off to the races. The problem with Drexel's profile is that it looks super pretty because of that long winning streak, but closer inspection causes a Degas effect. Drexel has true win over a tournament caliber opponent - VCU, at home by 6. Otherwise the bracket buster blowout of Cleveland St (on the road, however) and then a 7 point win over George Mason. Otherwise they were held to 35 points by a projected 8 seed, and lost by 13 to a team currently on the outside looking in. And, unfortunately for them, George Mason, the only other computer/profile enhancing win of note (other than VCU, the #2 seed) is on the opposite side, so we're just not seeing where Drexel gets the boost they need. They are in that annual unfortunate position of a team who is in a nice spot, but just can't get a game with teams where beating them would help to keep pace with the other at-large hopefuls until the championship, and if they win that, they don't need a stronger resume. Of bigger concern? Starting junior guard Derrick Thomas, 2nd on the team in minutes (playing over 31 per game, averaging 8 pts and 2 rebounds) and big time defender for Bruiser Flint is out of the CAA tournament after being placed on interim suspension following his voluntary surrender to Philly PD stemming from assault and criminal trespass charges related to an incident on La Salle's campus in December. Not good Dragons. Not good.
Ready to swoop are the VCU Rams - Shaka Smart welcome back to March polarization. The Rams are once again that bubble team du jour, a resume with lots of good (10-3 road record, 4 top 100 wins, good computer numbers 47 in KenPom, 58 in BP- and RP- I) and enough bad (2 125+ losses, only 1 top 50 win, and only 1 road win v. the top 100). Thanks to some unwatchably ugly play in the Waiting Line..., VCU was projected as in by the most recent Buffetology, they CAN get in, provided they reach the final. Now, the question is, do they need Drexel to be there for them to still be in? Perhaps. As for their tournament hopes? They carry the weight of the Waiting Line... because the CAA is a 2 bid league that could become 1 if VCU takes them both, so to speak. Other than the buzzer beater road loss to George Mason, VCU had been rolling through the CAA, Drexel-style, since their early January 2 game swoon (too much NYE festivities, perhaps?) put them in a standings hole. They fell 64-58 at Drexel, but also lost a home game to Georgia State. Since then, they've run off 14 wins in 15 outings, winning by average margin of 11 points, and finishing the regular season with a 22 point revenge exacter against the Patriots. Plus, this team went to a Final Four. Forget all the "would you bet against Butler talk" - let's talk about VCU team bringing 4 pieces back from a Final Four, and having the talent/execution to live up to such a mythical status. Also, the tournament is in Richmond. 1 + 1 usually equals 2.
We were prepared to say much more about George Mason. Paul Hewitt joke here. No, but seriously they've had a nice there. Another Paul Hewitt coaching joke here. Especially following their thrilling win over VCU on Valentine's Day. But then, they struggle to beat Pat Knight's Lamar team at home, fall @ Northeastern in OT and then get absolutely waxed by VCU in the return game, and suddenly, the team that had a 11-1 conference stretch, looks more like the one who needed OT against URI, then lost 2 out of 3 to the Florida Explanational schools (Atlantic & International).... given that they DID have the 11 of 12 run, split with VCU and swept 4 seed ODU ... they can't be abjectly ignored.
Speaking of ODU, what to think of them. An early season win over South Florida and rugged 10 point loss to Kentucky (score was 50-49 with 7 minutes to go), indicated promise - losses to Fairfield, Vermont, and Richmond did not. A CAA run that wasn't necessarily weak, but an 0 for the top schools (Drexel o-1, VCU 0-2, George Mason 0-2) does not inspire much tournament confidence. However, a late road win on bracket buster against a solid but not spectacular Missouri State team, then a road win at suprisingly tough (just ask Drexel and VCU) Georgia State team before falling by 1 point to regular season champ Drexel, and maybe early season ODU is back...
The Buffet picks: Sometimes in the course of a preview paragraph, the Buffet can talk themselves into things. This is one of those times: VCU.
Upset special: Watch out for Georgia State. This team could break your heart and lose right away, or they could surprise - they split with VCU & Drexel, lost in OT to ODU and fell by only 3 at George Mason. Their 7 losses in conference were by an average of 4 points with three games going to OT (one was double-OT), and minus their dud against Drexel, that turns into 6 losses and an average of 3 points. Those are the kind of under the radar numbers that upset specials are made of.
Drexel Dragons (25-5, 16-2)
Ken Pom: 46
ESPN BPI: 74
RPI: 64
SOS: 233
Best wins: VCU (58) 64-58; @Cleveland State (78) 69-49; George Mason (83) 60-53;
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Delaware (143) 60-71; @Georgia State (137) 44-58; v.Norfolk St (134) 56-61
Players to watch
Frantz Massenat – 13.5 pts, 3.3 rebs, 4.5 assists, 47%
Damion Lee – 12.4 pts, 4.2 rebs, 1.8 assists
Samme Givens – 11.7 pts, 7.8 rebs
Chris Fouch - 10.0 pts, 2.3 rebs, 1.3 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Dartaye Ruffin - 61% Massenat - 80%
Daryl McCoy – 62% Lee - 77%
Givens - 72%
Chris Fouch – 82%
Virginia Commonwealth Rams (25-6, 15-3)
Ken Pom: 47
ESPN BPI: 58
RPI: 58
SOS: 179
Players to watch
Brandford Burgess – 13.5 pts, 5.2 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals
Juvonte Reddic – 10.8 pts, 7.0 rebs, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks
Troy Daniels – 10.0 pts, 3.3 rebs
Darius Theus – 8.6 pts, 2.2 rebs, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals
Rob Brandenburg - 8.5 pts, 2.8 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Theus - 66% Burgess - 80%
Treveon Graham - 36% Briante Weber - 80%
Reddic – 68% Brandenburg – 70%
Daniels – 83%
George Mason Patriots (23-8, 14-4)
Ken Pom: 110
ESPN BPI: 103
RPI: 83
SOS: 196
Best wins: Bucknell (86) 61-57; VCU (58) 62-61
Best losses:
Worst losses: Florida International (241) 76-79ot; @Fla Atlantic (194) 75-80 ot; @Delaware (143) 60-65; Northeastern (178) 82-85ot; @Virginia (39) 48-68
Players to watch
Ryan Pearson – 17.8 pts, 8.5 rebs, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals
Mike Morrison – 9.4 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.8 blocks
Sherrod Wright - 9.7 pts, 3.2 rebs, 1.3 assists, 42% 3pts
Vertrail Vaughns - 8.9 pts, 1.7 rebs, 1.1 assists
Bryon Allen – 7.7 pts, 3.2 rebs, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Morrison - 54% Pearson - 72%
Vaughn Gray - 67% Vaughns – 74%
Wright – 86%
Allen – 75%
Andre Cornelius – 75%
Jonathan Arledge – 78%
Old Dominion Monarchs (19-12, 13-5)
Ken Pom: 85
ESPN BPI: 102
RPI: 111
SOS: 124
Best Wins: v.South Florida (35) 68-66; Long Island (99) 77-69
Best Losses: Missouri (12) 68-75
Worst Losses: Vermont (159) 63-65ot; v.Fairfield (127) 51-59; @Richmond (121) 82-90ot;
Players to watch
Kent Bazemore – 15.3 pts, 5.8 rebs, 3.1 assists, 2.2 steals
Chris Cooper – 10.6 pts, 10.3 rebs, 1.3 blocks
Trian Iliadis – 8.5 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals
Nick Wright – 8.2 pts, 5.4 rebs, 1.1 blks, 40% 3pts
Dimitri Batten - 7.8 pts, 2.4 rebs, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 41%
Donte Hill - 7.0 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Bazemore - 65%
Cooper – 59%
Iliadis – 62%
Wright – 64%
Dimitri Batten – 69%
Donte Hill – 67%
Marquel de Lancey – 65%
Other players to watch
Mike Moore, Hofstra, Sr, G, 20.0 pts, 4.6 rebs, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 40% 3pts
Devon Saddler, Delaware, So, G, 18.7 pts, 4.1 rebs, 1.8 assists
A.J. Davis, James Madison, Jr, G, 16.2 pts, 4.7 rebs, 2.0 assists
Keith Rendleman, UNC-Wilmington, Jr, G, 15.6 pts, 10.5 rebs, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blks
Humpty Hitchens, BEST. NAME. EVER. James Madison, Sr, G, 15.0 pts, 2.3 rebs, 3.7 assists, 1.3 stls
Nathaniel Lester, Hofstra, Sr, G, 14.7 pts, 6.7 rebs, 1.4 steals
Jonathan Lee, Northeastern, Jr, G, 14.6 pts, 4.0 rebs, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 41% 3pts
Adam Smith, UNC-Wilmington, Fr, G, 14.0 pts, 3.2 rebs, 1.7 assists
Jihad Ali, Georgia St, Sr, G, 13.0 pts, 5.8 rebs, 1.4 assists, 1.6 steals
Joel Smith, Northeastern, Jr, G, 12.9 pts, 4.5 rebs, 2.4 assists
Marcus Damas, Towson, So, F, 12.8 pts, 5.3 rebs, 1.5 assists
Jamelle Hagins, Delaware, Jr, F, 12.7 pts, 11.3 rebs, 2.9 blks
Quinn McDowell, William & Mary, Sr, G-F, 12.7 rebs, 4.8 rebs, 1.5 assists
Devonta White, Georgia State, So, G, 12.5 pts, 2.1 rebs, 3.0 assist, 1.8 steals
Robert Nwankwo, 12.0 pts, 9.8 rebs, 2.5 blks, 1.1 steals
Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, Fr, G, 11.1 pts, 2.4 rebs, 1.2 assists
Quincy Ford, Northeastern, Fr, G-F, 11.1 pts, 4.7 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.0 blks, 2.0 steals
America East Conference Jack Leasure Award: Humpty Hitchens, James Madison, 80/205, 39%. Yes, the percentage is down. Yes, there are some volume shooters with mid-40% - but truly, the runner up, Andrey Semenov put up over 80 less shots, and made less than 1 more per game. And, yes the name totally biased the staff..
Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year: Ryan Fear the Beard Person, Sr, F, George Mason
Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year: Bruiser Flint, Drexel
Colonial Athletic Association Fresman of the Year: Damion Lee, Drexel
All-CAA First Team:
All-CAA Second Team:
Morels from the Colonial
What was once a compelling race, became the Iona show, as Loyola Maryland forged a February tie, and then may or may not have though the season was over, dropping their next three conference games and ceding regular season and top seed control to Iona. The Gaels, led big time scorer Mike Glover, immediate dividends from transfer Momo Jones, and Mr. Dime and 3.0 A/TO ratio guy himself, Scotty Machado, have had great season - it began with a 1 point loss in Puerto Rico to Purdue, in a classic game where a Robbie Hummel 3 (2 knee injuries later, I think even Tim Cluess was rooting for him to hit the shot and make a triumphant return to CBB), with 30 seconds left proved the difference. From there, Iona beat Maryland, Saint Joseph's, LIU, then went on an extended road trip where they won 6 of 8, and truthfully, it seemed more than the weariness of the road caught up with them than any team flaw. A 15-3 conference season and big Bracket Buster win over WAC champ Nevada later, and Iona has put together a great campaign. Now, from a Waiting Line... perspective, they are probably 1 Purdue win and a road game at Hofstra loss away from truly being a real at-large candidate, currently sitting as a 14 seed, Iona is just outside the at-large range, but there's really no way for them to climb, and a loss, even to a team with Loyola's RPI #s would be a crushing blow, and that's again the Catch 22 here. They don't need an at-large berth without a loss, but with a loss, there's really no path to an at-large. As for the tourney, Iona's conference losses came as the result of a different prescription of issues - in their losses v. Manhattan & Siena, Iona inexplicably failed to protect huge leads - v.Siena, the 40% 3pt shooting Gaels were 3-16 behind the arc, against Manhattan, the Gaels went up 25, but got uncharacteristically passive and were out attempted at the free throw line 22-9. Loyola was just one of those typical CBB moments where a conference pits a momentum built contender to the conference leader, and a blow out ensues. It's hard to get a read on Iona, but this is an offense that plays like a symphony and a defense that just can't wait to get back on offense. You beat Iona on the boards (they are 132nd in college hoops in rebounds per game), you get them by forcing them to rely on contested jump shots, and you execute on offense because they aren't particularly interested in playing defense for very long.
In 2004, Loyola Maryland went 1-27, by 2007, thanks to Jimmy Patsos they had risen to a top 4 seeds in conference, and here, 8 years later, they were on the cusp of seizing control of the conference. Perhaps the magnitude of it caught up with them. But a program that has only 1 NCAA tournament appearance in their history enters the MAAC tournament with a chance to do what they forgot required focus after their big win over Iona.
Keep your eyes on the Jaspers, a win over Iona, and a pair of losses to Loyola totaling 3 points, forcing overtime at Colorado State, a mid season 8 game MAAC win streak, the Jaspers have a bit of fight in them.
The Buffet picks: Loyola Maryland. Iona is a easy team to like, they're fun to watch - but this isn't the Buffet roots (although, we do end up doing so, just because being right is cool), it's the Buffet picks, and it's just the Greyhounds time.
Iona Gaels (24-6, 15-3)
Ken Pom: 42
ESPN BPI: 52
RPI: 39
SOS: 148
Best wins: Saint Joseph’s (55); Nevada (56) 90-84; Loyola MD (88) 74-63
Best losses: v.Purdue (41) 90-91; Loyola MD (88) 81-87
Worst losses: @Hofstra (260) 75-83; @Siena (238) 62-65; Manhattan (138) 72-75
Players to watch
Michael Glover – 18.1 pts, 9.1 rebs, 1.2 blks
Lamont (Momo) Jones – 16.2 pts, 3.3 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals
Scott Machado – 13.1 pts, 5.0 rebs, 10.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 40% 3pts
Sean Armand – 9.7 pts, 2.0 rebs, 1.2 assists, 48% 3pts
Taaj Ridley – 7.1 pts, 4.2 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Ridley - 61% Machado - 81%
Glover - 67% Armand - 79%
Kyle Smyth – 94%
Randy Dezouvre – 71%
Jermel Jenkins – 89%
Loyola (Maryland) Greyhounds (21-8, 13-5)
Ken Pom: 135
ESPN BPI: 126
RPI: 88
SOS: 213
Best wins: Iona (39) 87-81; @Bucknell (85) 72-67
Best losses:
Worst losses: Niagara (203) 61-66; @Wake Forest (162) 63-75; Fairfield (128) 51-68
Players to watch
Dylon Cormier – 13.6 pts, 3.2 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals
Erik Etherly – 13.1 pts, 7.7 rebs, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.3 blks
Robert Olson – 11.4 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.7 assists, 44% 3pts
Justin Drummond – 11.2 pts, 4.2 rebs, 1.0 steals
Shane Walker – 9.0 pts, 6.2 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.3 blks
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Cormier - 67% Olson - 75%
Jordan Latham – 55% Anthony Winbush – 76%
Etherly - 68% Drummond - 76%
Walker – 77%
R.J. Williams – 72%
Manhattan Jaspers (20-11, 12-6)
Ken Pom: 117
ESPN BPI: 121
RPI: 138
SOS: 251
Best wins: @Iona (39) 75-72
Best losses: @Colorado St. (20) 86-91 ot; @Loyola MD (88) 60-61
Worst losses: Rider (198) 77-88; Columbia (183) 41-59; @Fairfield (128) 54-60
Players to watch
George Beamon – 18.4 pts, 5.6 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 41% 3pts
Michael Alvarado – 8.4 pts, 2.3 rebs, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals
Emmy Andujar – 8.3 pts, 5.3 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 40% 3pts
Kidani Brutus – 8.2 pts, 2.8 rebs, 2.4 assists, 40% 3pts
Rhamel Brown – 7.6 pts, 4.9 rebs, 2.5 blks
Roberto Colonette – 6.1 pts, 5.1 rebs, 1.0 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Brown - 60% Beamon - 80%
Colonette - 67% Alvarado - 77%
Liam McCabe-Moran - 65% Andujar - 72%
Brutus – 81%
Donovan Kates – 75%
Mohamed Koita – 85%
Fairfield Stags (17-13, 12-6)
Ken Pom: 108
ESPN BPI: 116
RPI: 128
SOS: 145
Best wins: @Loyola MD (88) 68-51
Best losses: @Connecticut (20) 71-79
Worst losses: @Siena (222) 60-73; Providence (156) 72-80; v.Indiana St (129) 66-72; @Manhattan (120) 51-53
Players to watch
Rakim Sanders – 16.7 pts, 8.2 rebs, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals
Derek Needham – 11.8 pts, 2.7 rebs, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals
Maurice Barrow – 8.8 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.9 assists
Ryan Olander – 8.8 pts, 4.7 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.8 blks
Desmond Wade – 6.6 pts, 2.7 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 41% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Sanders - 63% Wade - 73%
Olander - 57% Sean Crawford - 83%
Jamel Fields - 61% Needham - 70%
Juan'ya Green, Niagara, Fr, 17.5 pts, 3.2 rebs, 4.4 assists, 1.8 steals
Harold Washington, Canisius, Jr, 16.7 pts, 4.2 rebs, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals
Antoine Mason, Niagara, Fr, 15.4 pts, 4.6 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals
Alshwan Hymes, Canisius, Jr, 15.3 pts, 3.3 rebs, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals
O.D. Anosike, Siena, Jr, 15.1 pts, 12.9 rebs, 1.1 assists
Chavaughn Lewis, Fr, Marist, 13.9 pts, 4.5 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals
Devin Price, Jr, Marist, 13.9 pts, 2.9 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals
Evan Hymes, Fr, Siena, 13.9 pts, 1.6 rebs, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals
Kyle Downey, Sr, Siena, 13.3 pts, 5.0 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals
Jeff Jones, Sr, Rider, 13.2 pts, 2.4 rebs, 1.0 assists
Brandon Penn, Sr, Rider, 12.4 pts, 6.5 rebs, 1.5 assists
Gaby Belardo, Jr, Canisius, 11.7 pts, 3.0 rebs, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals
Darius Conley, Jr, St. Peter's, 11.3 pts, 7.1 rebs, 1.2 blks
Daniel Stewart, Rider, So, 11.1 pts, 6.7 rebs
MAAC Jack Leasure Award: Sean Armand, Iona, 74/166, 48%. We appreciate Alshawn Hymes name and persistence (254 3s attempted), but 48% from long range, 2.5 3s per game, on an offensive juggernaut, Leasure Award, well applied.
2011-12 Pepsi Max MAAC Player of the Year: Scott Machado, Iona, Sr.
2011-12 The Rock MAAC Coach of the Year: Jimmy Patsos, Loyola Maryland
2011-12 MAAC Newcomer of the Year: Juan'ya Green, Niagara
All-MAAC First Team:
All-MAAC Second Team:
Morels from the Metro
the Buffet predicts: Davidson. They're just sort of that much better than everyone else.
Game 10: Winner Game 7 v. Winner Game 8, 830 ET, ESPN3/SoCon Sports Net
Mon, Mar 5
Championship Game, 900pm, ET, ESPN2
Davidson Wildcats (22-7, 16-2)
Ken Pom: 62
ESPN BPI: 82
RPI: 66
SOS: 155
Best wins: @Kansas (6) 80-74
Best losses: @Duke (3) 69-82 (led at halftime); Vanderbilt (21) 83-87
Worst losses: @Samford (265) 74-77; @Charlotte (160) 61-84; @Coll of Charleston (112) 78-86
Players to watch
De’Mon Brooks – 15.8 pts, 6.3 rebs, 1.1 steals
Jake Cohen – 13.9 pts, 6.0 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.5 blks
Nik Cochran – 11.1 pts, 2.9 rebs, 3.6 assists
J.P. Kuhlman – 11.2 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.8 assists
Chris Czerapowicz – 10.0 pts, 4.7 rebs
Tom Droney – 4.1 pts, 3.8 rebs, 2.4 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Clint Mann - 55% Brooks - 71%
Droney - 63% Cohen - 88%
Cochran - 88%
Kuhlman - 76%
Tyler Kalinoski – 75%
Georgia Southern Eagles (13-12, 11-4)
Ken Pom: 239
ESPN BPI: 260
RPI: 196
SOS: 221
Best wins: College of Charleston (112) 64-58
Best losses:
Worst losses: @Samford (265) 55-57; @Furman (249) 54-64; @E.Kentucky (222) 59-63; @SMU (214) 49-55;
Players to watch
Eric Ferguson – 14.8 pts, 7.1 rebs, 1.5 steals, 1.1 blks
Ben Drayton III – 12.0 pts, 2.1 rebs, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals
Willie Powers – 11.1 pts, 4.1 rebs, 5.4 assists, 1.1 steals
Jelani Hewitt – 10.7 pts, 3.4 rebs, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 41% 3pts
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Ferguson - 59% Powers - 77%
Drayton III - 64% Hewitt - 80%
Tre' Bussey - 66% Cameron Baskerville - 81%
UNC-Greensboro Spartans (12-18, 10-8)
Ken Pom: 278
ESPN BPI: 289
RPI: 234
SOS: 199
Best wins: College of Charleston x2 (112) @73-66, 78-63
Best losses:
Worst losses: NC A&T (278) 65-87; @Appalachian St (267) 64-78; @Furman 85-73; @Western Carlina (69-73); Elon x2 (242) 72-80, @79-93
Players to watch
Trevis Simpson - 18.2 pts, 4.2 rebs
Derrell Armstrong - 12.5 pts, 4.3 rebs, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals
David Williams - 5.1 pts, 5.2 rebs, 1.3 assist, 1.5 steals
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Aloysius Henry - 64% Simpson - 75%
Williams - 47% Armstrong - 79%
Korey Van Dussen - 70%
Kyle Randall - 74%
Wofford Terriers (19-12, 12-6)
Ken Pom: 175
ESPN BPI: 188
RPI: 170
SOS: 289
Best wins: College of Charleston x2 (112) @68-59; 75-58
Best losses: Davidson (66) 69-72
Worst losses: @Chattanooga (305) 48-51; @High Point (269) 79-87; v.UMKC (268); Samford (264) 61-66ot
Players to watch
Kevin Giltner - 15.3 pts, 4.4 rebs, 1.9 assists
Brad Loesing -14.6 pts, 3.0 rebs, 5.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Karl Cochran - 11.3 pts, 4.6 rebs, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals
Drew Crowell - 9.0 pts, 5.2 rebs, 1.5 assists
Lee Skinner - 5.8 pts, 5.7 rebs, 1.9 assists
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Croweel - 56% Giltner - 81%
Skinner - 52% Loesing - 81%
Aerris Smith - 56% Cochran - 71%
Dmoas Rinksalis - 53%
College of Charleston Cougars (19-11, 10-8)
Ken Pom: 155
ESPN BPI: 150
RPI: 112
SOS: 151 (non-conference SOS of 6)
Best wins: Davidson (66) 86-78; Tennessee (80) 71-65; v.UMass (81) 85-61; @Kent St (98)
Best losses: @Louisville (29) 62-69
Worst losses: Furman (249) 63-69; @Elon (242) 98-99 ot; UNC-Greensboro x2 (234) 66-73; @63-78;
Players to watch
Andrew Lawrence - 12.9 pts, 3.0 rebs, 5.6 assists, 1.9 steals
Trent Wiedeman - 11.8 pts, 8.8 rebs
Anthony Stitt - 9.4 pts, 1.6 rebs, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals
Adjehi Baru - 7.8 pts, 6.3 rebs
Who to foul: Who not to foul:
Wiggins - 58% Lawrence - 74%
Stitt - 61% Wiedeman - 70%
Baru - 50% Matt Sundberg - 79%
Other players to watch
Mike Groselle, The Citadel, Jr, 16.6 pts, 9.7 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Drew Windler, Samford, So, 14.2 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.3 assists
Jack Isenbarger, Elon, So, 14.1 pts, 3.6 rebs, 2.8 assists, 41% 3pts
Harouna Mutombo, Western Carolina, Sr, 13.3 pts, 5.9 rebs, 1.9 assists
Trey Sumler, Western Carolina, So, 13.2 pts, 4.6 rebs, 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals
Lucas Troutman, Elon, So, 12.7 pts, 5.5 rebs, 1.4 blks
Omar Wattad, Chattanooga, Sr, 12.4 pts, 3.8 rebs, 1.9 assists
Ricky Taylor, Chattanooga, Sr, 12.4 pts, 3.7 rebs, 1.9 assists
Keaton Cole, Western Carolina, Sr., 12.3 pts, 1.6 rebs, 1.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 42% 3pts
Omar Carter, Appalachian State, Sr, 11.6 pts, 5.6 rebs, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals
Brandon Sebirumbi, Furman, Sr, 11.2 pts, 5.5 rebs, 1.0 assists
Tyler Hood, Samford, Fr, 11.0 pts, 3.6 rebs, 1.3 assists
Keegan Bell, Chattanooga, Sr, 7.8 pts, 3.5 rebs, 6.2 assists, 1.0 steals
Missouri Valley Conference Jack Leasure Award: Keegan Cole, Western Carolina, 102/245, 42%. Through five days, Keegan might embody the spirit of Jack Leasure more than anyone else to this point. Launching a ridiculous 245 3s, making 42% of them. Awesome.
Southern Conference Player of the Year: De'Mon Brooks, Davidson, Forward
Southern Conference Coach of the Year: Bob McKillop, Davidson
Southern Conference Freshman of the Year: Karl Cochran, Wofford, Guard
All-Southern 2012:
Morels from the South
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