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 
 
   

I. Inside the SoCon
Furman, UNCG and Samford continue to lead the way, but Southern Conference basketball continues to be ultra-competitive, especially in the middle of the pack. No doubt, there are three elite teams leading the way, but all 10 teams are capable of winning on any given night.
 
The important thing right now is for every team to either keep or try to gather some positive momentum as they head toward the Ingles SoCon Basketball Championship, which begins March 3. In many ways, basketball can be a game of rhythm and pace, especially during the later stages of the regular season. Therefore, no coaching staff or player wants to do anything to interrupt the weekly flow of practice, skill work and weight training during the remaining regular-season games. Everyone wants to be peaking and playing their best in March.
 
Who will have the momentum – mentally and physically – to win three (or four) games in Asheville? That’s the question right now. While most would consider Furman, Samford and UNCG the heavy favorites (and I agree), all 10 teams can win at least one game and that’s what will make things interesting. There’s no chance of a potential at-large team in the leaguel, which puts pressure on every possession and every game during the tournament. Once again, this should be a really fun weekend in Asheville.
 

II. In the know

• Western Carolina’s Tre Jackson exploded for 47 points in the Catamounts’ double-overtime win against Wofford on Feb. 8, the second-most in Division I this season. This was the most scored by a SoCon player since Furman’s Jordan Lyons dropped 54 on North Greenville on Nov. 15, 2018
• Chattanooga’s Jamal Johnson has made at least two 3-pointers in 17 of his last 19 games
• Chattanooga remains first in the country in 3-point field goals made per game (11.3)
• Furman is fifth in the country in assists per game (18.1)
• Samford leads the SoCon in bench points per game (27.2)
• UNCG leads the league in scoring defense in conference games (62.0)
• Furman has reached 20 wins for the sixth time in seven seasons

 

III. Top storylines this season in the Southern Conference

1. Jake Stephens injury– The graduate transfer was on his way to Southern Conference Player of the Year honors until a hand injury sidelined him in mid-January
2. Three at the Top – Furman, Samford and UNCG have separated themselves from the other seven
3. Success at Western Carolina – The Catamounts have surpassed expectations. Picked eighth in both the coaches and media preseason polls, Justin Gray has done a nice job with this group
4. Samford beating Chattanooga – On Jan. 14, the Bulldogs were down 19 in the second half and came back to beat the Mocs
5. Commissioner Schaus announces retirement – On Feb. 1, Jim Schaus announced his retirement effective June 30. Schaus who is completing his fourth year as commissioner, has directed a number of significant achievements during his tenure

IV. Role players
Only five players can start a basketball game, but the really good teams have guys that understand their roles coming off the bench. It’s the coaching staff’s responsibility to put players in the right roles and it’s the player’s responsibility to accept those roles. In fact, the great teams have role players that understand their jobs and embrace them – they keep the rhythm and energy of the game going when entering the game.
 
As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, role players are of critical importance. Here are some key attributes to being a great bench / role player:
 

• Provide great energy to the team during warm-ups
• Totally into the game at all times, even before entering the game
• Always pay close attention to the scouting report of each opponent
• Take their roles very seriously
• Love to compete and always have an edge
• Stay in great physical condition because they will play variable minutes in each game
• Have the ability to play and/or guard multiple positions, thus adding to their value

 
Great role players don’t think in terms of what “they can’t do,” but rather “what they can do” – and they know this can change game-to-game.
 
I know how much value players (and parents) put on starting, but it really doesn’t matter. If a player can fulfill the attributes listed above, he can be a valuable part to his team and effect winning.
 

V. Slotting the teams
No changes among the top three as they remain in Tier I. But it’s in Tier II where things remain very interesting. Six teams are battling to finish in the top six and although VMI will play on Friday in Asheville, it can still play a factor in the regular-season race during the final two weeks:
 
Tier I
 
Furman – The Paladins have won eight straight as their only loss in 2023 is an overtime thriller at UNCG in mid-January. The Paladins have hit a very nice stride, especially as the bench has developed, allowing Bob Richey to go nine deep without much drop off. The Feb. 25 matchup at Samford could be for the regular-season title
 
Samford – The Bulldogs recovered from their road trip to the Upstate of South Carolina and are playing well again. Bucky McMillan can also go nine deep with lots of firepower. They have two huge remaining home games (UNCG & Furman) that will help them control their destiny
 
UNCG – Mike Jones has the Spartans playing at a high level. With the overtime win against Wofford last Sunday, they’ve won nine of their last 10 (and 12 of 14). They finish the regular season with three of four on the road, but this is a team that is 6-0 in conference road games!
 
Tier II
 
Western Carolina – Tre Jackson has been terrific. Although Furman got revenge last Saturday, the Catamounts continue to stay in fourth place. They’ve beaten three of the final four opponents and have a chance at double-digit conference wins
 
Chattanooga – While the hope is Jake Stephens will return, the Mocs are learning to win without him. It’s not easy to change the way you do things – at both ends of the floor – during the heart of conference play, but Dan Earl and group are adjusting and playing well. This team is dangerous
 
Wofford – The Terriers have lost four in a row (three of them on the road). That said, this team has the ability to beat anyone and will get back to winning ways prior to the conference tournament
 
Mercer – Greg Gary continues to have the Bears prepared and competitive. But he needs someone to step up and help Jalyn McCreary at the offensive end. This is a group that can find its way into the top six, but it will need to play for 40 minutes each of the final four games
 
The Citadel – The Citadel has hit a bit of slump, but the Bulldogs continue to battle. They simply need to put two halves together
 
ETSU – The Bucs have been up and down and have a tough final two weeks. But Desmond Oliver continues to see signs from his young front court as Jalen Haynes is playing at a high level
 
VMI – The Keydets are scrappy and continue to battle. Senior Sean Conway remains the leader of this resilient group and with three of their final four at home, I would guess the Keydets pick up a couple of wins before we meet in Asheville
 
 
Until the next “Dean’s List” on March 1, follow me on Twitter: @DeanKeener1