Note: The following piece was prepared by Dean Keener, who provides commentary on Southern Conference men’s basketball broadcasts.

Keener played collegiately at Davidson before embarking on a successful 20-year coaching career. He served as head coach at James Madison from 2004-08. You can follow him on Twitter: @DeanKeener1

The 2019 Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships presented by General Shale are from March 7-11 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, North Carolina.

The Dean’s List
Feb. 20, 2019

I. Inside the SoCon
There is simply nothing like conference play, and this year has been no exception in the Southern Conference. National interest about the league is up, attendance is up, and while there have been a few lopsided scores, the intensity has been at a very high level. In fact, I’ve heard more coaches talk about officiating than in previous years, which indicates to me how tightly contested most of the games are and how every game matters.

As we enter late February, there several storylines in the league. Four teams with 21 or more wins, the battle to secure a top-six seed in the conference tournament, as well as Fletcher Magee’s pursuit of the all-time 3-point field-goal record are just a few. But I think the biggest story is Wofford’s current 14-game winning streak and NET ranking of No. 26, which puts them in conversation for an at-large tournament bid in the event they can win out in the regular season and make it to Monday night in Asheville. The naysayers will point to limited Q1 wins and three non-DI games, but to me, they pass the eye test by a wide margin. This will be very interesting to watch as we head toward tournament time.

Regardless if your team is winning or losing, this time of year can be a grind in college basketball, and as a coach, you must understand the mental frame that each player is in. The mentally tough teams show their resilience by getting better in the dog days of February/early March, and much of this has to do with players being in the right mental state. No doubt, off-court coaching really comes into play this time of year.

Who will have the momentum – mentally and physically – to win multiple games in Asheville? That is certainly worth following. I firmly believe this will be one of the best SoCon tournaments in recent memory!

II. Did You Know
• The Southern Conference currently has four teams with 20 wins or more for the third consecutive year
• If Samford reaches 20 wins (as of Feb. 20, they have 16) it will be the first time in the history of the Southern Conference that five teams eclipsed the 20-win mark! That’s hard to believe
• Furman has won six straight games. During that stretch, its defense has been terrific, limiting opponents to just 59.1 points per game
• ETSU leads Division I in rebounding margin at +11.8 per game
• Samford has played six overtime games this season, going 3-3. ETSU and Furman are next, having played in three OT games each

III. What Happens on Game Day?
For the most part, coaches are creatures of habit and very superstitious. Therefore, rarely do they want to change what is a good routine. When it comes to game day, each head coach has his own thoughts, but most will stick to a similar routine, especially if he’s had success in the past.

For road games that require schools to have extended travel (bus ride or flight) to the opponent’s city the night before, coaches will certainly have bed check and curfew. Depending on what time they arrive at the hotel, they may also have a short study hall in a ballroom/meeting room.

The next morning, they will start with a team breakfast. Most will have a "shoot-around" in the opponent’s arena. The shoot around is timed and usually lasts 45-60 minutes. During this time, coaches will have their players stretch, free shoot and then cover the opponent’s scouting report. Usually this is handled by an assistant that was assigned to prepare for the game by watching several films. The assistant will then convey the information to the players by having them walk through a set number of offensive plays as well as the key out-of-bounds plays they anticipate seeing in the game. Finally, the coach may show a specific defense, including a press the team may encounter in the game. And a lot of coaches will end the shoot around with a fun game (half-court shots, free-throw contests, etc.) that help keeps the team loose. The coaching staff, managers and support personnel may also participate in this before heading back to the hotel.

Once back at the hotel, there is usually a study hall prior to the pre-game meal. The pre-game meal is in a hotel ballroom or meeting room. Coaches will have a catered meal ready for the team that is healthy and generally full of carbs (only water to drink) approximately four hours before tip-off. At the conclusion of the meal, the assistant coach assigned to the opponent will show a 15-20-minute film edit of their opponent. These clips will be of individual personnel as well as some of the offensive and defensive sets they walked through earlier in the day at the arena.

It can't be overstated that most coaches have the entire day timed and set to schedule. Coaches are creatures of habit, especially when they are winning. If they lose, all bets are off and the director of operations (staff member who usually handles team travel) will probably look for a new hotel and slightly different routine the following season.

Game day can be fun for the players, but for coaches, it’s a nerve-wracking 10 hours before tip. That’s why most like a 1 p.m. start time on a Saturday, so they don’t have to sit around the hotel all day overthinking the scouting report.

IV. The SoCon Ladder
It’s hard to believe, but we’ve reached Feb. 20 and there are just a handful of league games remaining.

In celebration of the Grammys last week, which recognizes the top musical artists and recordings, I have put together the song that I believe best describes each team. Each program should consider the song its own this season. Maybe they will even play at remaining home games or at the tournament.

Here is the final SoCon Ladder of the 2018-19 regular season:

1. Wofford (“Perfect” – Ed Sheeran)
In the midst of a 14-game winning streak, the Terriers continue to play at a very high level. They are experienced, talented, deep and well-coached. That’s a really good combination
2. Furman (“Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey)
The Paladins lost three of four in mid-January but didn’t stop believin’ in the process and have regained their swagger. Bob Richey wasn’t born when this song debuted, but he does know his Paladins have a real chance to advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1980!
3. UNCG (“High Hopes” – Panic! At the Disco)
Wes Miller’s group lost both games on their Upstate road swing last weekend. That said, this is a very good basketball team and there is no reason to stop having high hopes of a second straight trip to the Big Dance. This is a group that will recover very nicely
4. ETSU (“Jump” – Kris Kross)
A classic tune for a team that leads the nation in rebounding margin. No doubt, Steve Forbes is old enough to remember this video. More importantly, Coach Forbes has his team playing unselfishly and with a winning mentality
5. Samford (“Good Feeling” - Flo Rida)
I think Scott Padgett has a good feeling about this Bulldogs team. In fact, their March 2 game at home against Wofford looms very large for a variety of reasons. If you’re a lover of SoCon basketball, circle this game
6. Chattanooga (“Youth” – Shawn Mendes ft. Khalid)
There is a youth movement in Chattanooga and very soon the Mocs will be back at the top of the ladder. Until then, they will still be very dangerous
7. Mercer (“breathin” – Ariana Grande)
The Bears just need to stay after it. They need to keep practicing hard, playing hard, and just keep breathin. With a few good bounces down the stretch, they could find their way into sixth place
8. Western Carolina (“Happier” – Marshmallow ft. Bastille)
I’m sure Mark Prosser wants more, but I would tell him that he’s doing a great job with this group. Be happier and enjoy the journey of putting things together
9. The Citadel (“I Gotta Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas)
I gotta feeling that the Bulldogs are gonna catch fire and cause havoc in Asheville. With Lew Stallworth, Zane Najdawi and Matt Frierson, these seniors are capable of beating anyone
10. VMI (“Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line)
The Keydets have been injury-riddled all year, but they continue to battle. It’s hard for a coach to understand during the grind of the season, but what’s meant to be is meant to be

Until the next “Dean’s List” on March 6, follow me on Twitter: @DeanKeener1