With tune-ups against Division II schools, brutal nonconference slates and crosstown rivalries now on the back burner, Southern Conference teams now move their focus to one common goal: earning an NCAA Tournament bid.
One of 68 slots on the bracket will be filled March 10 when the SoCon Tournament culminates in Asheville. Davidson College, the two-time defending champion, returns as the No. 1 seed while the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga takes ground at No. 2.
The teams are seeded as follows:
No. 11 THE CITADEL (2-14) — The Bulldogs (6-25 overall) only triumphed twice in SoCon play, but the wins were their final two games. They tend to hang around for a bit, but freeze up toward the end of the game and are often on the wrong side of a massive run. Matt Van Syoc averages 14.2 points per game and shoots 86.5 percent from the free throw line.
No. 10 FURMAN (3-13) — The Paladins (9-20 overall) have been in the cellar of the standings for the majority of the season. Their nonconference schedule was impeded with a 97-93 home loss to Division II Mars Hill. Two of Furman’s three SoCon wins are against The Citadel. Stephen Croone posts 19.3 points per game.
No. 9 APPALACHIAN STATE (5-11) — The Mountaineers (9-20 overall) did not pick up a win against a Division I opponent until Jan. 18 and have only won on the road twice. Slow starts have bogged down Appalachian State, which has played much of the season without preseason SoCon honoree Jay Canty. Tab Hamilton averages 13 points per game.
No. 8 SAMFORD (6-10) — The Bulldogs (12-19 overall) have shown signs of glamour, beating Elon, Chattanooga and Western Carolina, but looked dismal in losses to The Citadel and Furman. Tim Williams (17.4 ppg, 7.4 rebounds per game) has been noted among the league’s best and shoots a glaring 60.1 percent from the field. When they’re on, the Bulldogs are a team to look out for.
No. 7 GEORGIA SOUTHERN (6-10) — The Eagles (13-18 overall) have had their fair share of tight games but struggled to come out on top in many of them. The high point of their season came in a Feb. 20 win at then-first-place Chattanooga. Georgia Southern thrives on its guard play, mainly the duo of Tre Bussey (15.9 ppg) and Jelani Hewitt (20.4 ppg). Both are threats to drive and shoot from long distance.
No. 6 UNCG (7-9) — Wes Miller’s team looked like it might be dangerous during nonconference play with a win at Virginia Tech and a close loss to Wake Forest. But that hasn’t been the case for the Spartans (14-17 overall) in SoCon action. They lost some competitive games but failed to break into the league’s upper echelon. A recent high point was a 73-71 win over Wofford to end the season. Kyle Cain averages 15.5 ppg.
No. 5 WESTERN CAROLINA (10-6) — The Catamounts (17-14 overall) won their first four SoCon games, but a stretch in which they lost three of four inhibited them from taking the next step. Their only win over the league’s top four was a 74-62 triumph at home against Elon Jan. 4. Trey Sumler (17.6 ppg, 4.4 assists per game) has the ability to take over a game from the point guard position.
No. 4 ELON (11-5) — The Phoenix (18-13 overall) was picked as the preseason favorite to win the league after returning its entire starting lineup, but had some ups and downs during SoCon action. Elon lost to Western Carolina to begin league play and lost three straight in January after beating Davidson on the road. The victory over Davidson suggests they have what it takes to win the tournament, but the Phoenix was embarrassed by the Wildcats on senior night March 1. Lucas Troutman (16.0 ppg, 6.4 rebounds per game) has had a fantastic senior season.
No. 3 WOFFORD (11-5) — The Terriers (17-12 overall) have the tiebreaker over Elon after beating the Phoenix, 63-59, in the final week of the regular season. For head coach Mike Young’s team to succeed, its defense must play at the caliber it did against Elon and Davidson. Wofford stifles its opponents’ 3-point shooters while clogging up the lane and the post as well. After a midseason stretch in which they lost three of four (twice to Chattanooga, once to Davidson), the Terriers won nine straight. Karl Cochran (15.4 ppg, 39.8 percent from 3-point) is a threat beyond the arc.
No. 2 CHATTANOOGA (12-4) — The Mocs (18-13 overall) won their first eight SoCon games, including an 84-63 rout of Elon, and appeared to be in the driver’s seat for the title. But a 94-51 loss at Davidson was a setback, as the team lost five of nine to end the year. Those losses include one at UNCG, a home defeat to Georgia Southern and an overtime tilt with Samford. Gee McGhee (10.4 ppg) and Z. Mason (9.4 rpg) lead the Mocs.
No. 1 DAVIDSON (15-1) — Despite losing a handful of contributors and being picked to finish second, the Wildcats (19-11 overall) have proved they’re still the team to beat in the SoCon. Since losing in overtime to Elon Jan. 16, Davidson has reeled off 12 consecutive wins, 11 of them coming by double digits. Head coach Bob McKillop’s team shot 52 percent in SoCon action and is a threat in all offensive aspects. Preseason player of the year De’Mon Brooks (20.3 ppg) leads the conference in scoring, and Brian Sullivan has shot 45.3 percent from 3-point range. If the Wildcats keep playing the way they are, it will be a daunting task to knock them off their pedestal.
For the full SoCon Tournament bracket, please click here