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 X: @DeanKeener1
   
 

1. Inside the SoCon

 
We’re heading deep into conference play, and we’ve already seen some interesting developments.  SoCon men’s basketball looks to be a very competitive league this season although Samford is trying to separate from the pack.  The Bulldogs are riding a 17-game winning streak and are the lone undefeated team in league play!  But, starting with their January 24 game at Furman, five of their next six are on the road.
 
I think most thought that Samford had a chance to be good, but Bucky McMillian and staff have truly done an outstanding job.  And to think, they’ve continued their winning ways without Jermaine Marshall who has been out with an injury the past month.
 
Most people who follow the league also knew that Western Carolina was going to be good, yet with two Power 5 wins in the non-conference mixed with some other good play, Justin Gray has really turned things up in Cullowhee.  Their backcourt is as talented as any in the league.
 
UNCG is also a team that is playing well.  As usual, Mike Jones has the Spartans defending at a high level, but this is the best offensive team Jones has had at UNCG.  The Spartans talent and ability to defend will keep them in the hunt. Having fifth-year guards Keyshawn and Kobe Langley is huge, but Mikeal Brown-Jones is a close second to Vonterius Woolbright for early leader for Player of the Year.
 
The Chattanooga Mocs are currently 4-2 in league play, and I firmly believe Dan Earl’s group will be right there all season, especially with the play of Trey Bonham, Honor Huff and Sam Alexis.  And how about the job Dwight Perry and his staff are doing at Wofford.  The Terriers lost on Saturday at UNCG, but sit at 4-2 in league play having won their four league games by a combined six points!
 
The competitive balance in the league shows that everyone can win on any given night.  Mercer and ETSU have wins suggesting they will be a tough out. The Citadel also has the ability to knock anyone off and VMI is simply tough inside Cameron Hall as they showed in their win on Saturday against rival The Citadel.
 
It's hard to believe we’re just over six weeks until the Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships in Asheville. It’s going to be interesting to see how things continue to play out.
 
While it’s always easy to ask questions during the season, finding the right answer is a bit more difficult.  Here are a few questions (with answers) related to SoCon basketball now that we are into league play:
 

• Why does the SoCon always have to fight for respect?  The league has been good for a very long time. Yes, the Power 5 wins this year weren’t against any Top 10 teams, yet Samford has won a school-record 17 straight and Western Carolina guard Vonterius Woolbright leads the nation in double-doubles.  This league has really good players and outstanding coaches!  If you think of the players and coaches that have been in the league during the past decade, it’s hard to understand why the SoCon doesn’t get a bit more love.  Maybe the national games (CBS Sports Network and ESPN) will help show the country how good the league really is

 

• Can Wofford affect the league race?  Yes, without a doubt.  The Terriers are well coached and better than many think.  Their top eight are solid, but it would be helpful if they began shooting free throws at a better clip, especially considering their small margin for error

 

• Who’s competing for Player of the Year honors?  There are several candidates, but as of today Vonterius Woolbright leads the way.  He has been terrific thus far this season as no one has been able to slow him up. UNCG’s Mikeal Brown-Jones is certainly making a strong case as well. In addition, Achor Achor (Samford), Keyshawn and Kobe Langley (UNCG), Trey Bonham and Sam Alexis (Chattanooga) are currently playing at a very high level.  And don’t forget about Furman’s JP Pegues and Marcus Foster who are coming off injuries

 
 

2. In the Know

 

• Chattanooga continues to be among the nation’s leaders in three-pointers attempted per game at 30.4
• Samford is ninth in the nation in three-pointers made per game at 10.6, while Chattanooga is 10th at 10.4
• Samford is sixth in the country in bench points per game at 36.8
• Western Carolina guard Vonterius Woolbright is first in Division I in double-doubles with 16
• Samford’s Rylan Jones is second in Division I in assist/turnover ratio at 4.43, while UNCG’s Kobe Langley is 16^th at 3.47

 

3. Director of Operations

 
Head coaches generally get all the accolades when things go right as well as most of the blame when things don’t go well.  But we also know one person can’t do it alone in a team sport.  Division I staffs have grown in recent years.  The full-time assistants on a basketball staff certainly have many responsibilities, but recruiting is at the top of their job description every day as recruiting is the lifeblood of any program.  But what about the Director of Operations?
 
In many instances, this position is held by an aspiring coach or athletic administrator.  So, what exactly does this person do?  While they are a full member of the coaching staff, a large amount of administrative work falls to them.
 
The Director of Operations generally deals with the head coach daily as it relates to the following items:
 

• Budget
• Equipment
  • dealing with shoe, apparel, and other equipment companies
• Team travel
  • hotels
  • bus companies
  • restaurants
  • other companies associated with travel
• Working closely with academic advisors
• Future scheduling
• Liaison with the women’s program as well as other athletic department personnel, including marketing
• Director of summer camps

 
These are just a few of the administrative roles that the Director of Operations handles.  The Director of Operations also plays a role in recruiting, but per NCAA regulations they are prohibited from recruiting "off-campus."  They can do anything on-campus such as calling/texting coaches and prospects, writing prospects, watching film of a prospect and planning visits (official and unofficial). 
 
Recently, the NCAA allowed the "Ops coach” to do on-court coaching.  They can teach players through film study.
 
Overall, the Director of Operations plays a critical role in the success of a basketball program. They must be highly organized and willing to work long hours to help the head coach and staff to see success within the program.
 

4. Handshake

 
A few years ago, I wrote about the post-game handshake.  I mentioned how every game coaches and players go to war and when the final buzzer sounds, very few want to shake hands with the opposition.  In fact, I’m of the opinion that 90% of all college coaches dislike shaking hands after the game when they lose.  For those inside the game, it’s known as “the fly by” - a very quick handshake by the losing coach without any words being exchanged. 
 
I believe both the handshake and national anthem involve sportsmanship and honor as well as learning to do things “the right way.”  That said, I feel that after the National Anthem (with both teams facing each other, when possible), there should be a pre-game handshake.
 
A pre-game handshake would help avoid the possibility of a possible “flare-up” between players after an emotional game.  Coaches, players as well as fans are emotional after a loss.  This routine may also allow teams to exit the floor quicker, especially in the event of a “court storming.”
 
I’m not sure why the NCAA wouldn’t mandate a simple rule that involves sportsmanship and potentially prevents post-game problems.
 

5. Clock Management

 
As we get into the heart of conference play, one of the most critical variables is clock management, especially in the last four minutes of a game.  There have already been several one or two possession games in SoCon play.
 
Clock management involves many aspects.  Therefore, a coaching staff needs to work on the following areas during staff meetings as well as during practice time: 

1. Proper Substitutions
   1. Having your best FT shooters and ball handlers in the game, when needed
   2. Offense / Defense – having the best unit(s) on the floor at all times

 

2. Who to foul
   1. This is all about scouting.  It’s not just overall free throw percentages, but what a player shoots from the line in the final four minutes

 

3. When to foul
   1. Having a clear philosophy about fouling / not fouling, especially when it involves being up by three points late in the game

 

4. Use of timeouts
   1. Having timeouts allows coaches to provide their team instructions and / or make key substitutions

 

5. Player management
   1. Reviewing and practicing plays and late-game situations so that players know what to do in critical, pressure-filled conditions (especially if a coach does not have a timeout)

Practicing late game situations is critical.  Most coaches will utilize daily practice time to review unique situations, so their players understand what to do and when to do it.
 

6. Slotting the Teams

 
We are still far from the finish line, yet as the games start to play out, we’re finding two groups within the league:
 
Tier I
 
Samford – The Bulldogs are riding a school-record 17 game winning streak and have established themselves as the team to beat in the Southern Conference.  Bucky McMillan is playing 11 guys 9.5 minutes or more per game and may be getting Jermaine Marshall back soon.  Achor Achor has been terrific in league play and wings AJ Staton-McCray and Jaden Campbell have been solid, but the backcourt of Rylan Jones and Dallas Graziani is the heart & soul of this team
 
UNCG – The Spartans fell to Samford two weeks ago, but otherwise have played well in league play.  They’re 9-0 at home and have all the goods to compete for a championship.  The Langley twins are playing like fifth-year seniors, Donovan Atwell is as improved as any player in the conference and Mikeal Brown-Jones is pushing Vonterius Woolbright for Player of the Year
 
Western Carolina – Everything has come together in Year three for Justin Gray.  Last week, the Catamounts fell to Samford at home in front of more than 5,100 fans and then lost at the buzzer at Furman, but they are still very much a team that will challenge for the title.  Even with UNCG coming to town, no worries as this is a special group.  They would be better served to get a bit more production inside, but with guards like Woolbright, Jackson, Jones, Campbell and Robertson they will be just fine
 
Chattanooga - The Mocs are another team trending in the right direction.  They beat ETSU in Johnson City on national television and looked good in doing so.  They‘ve won their first two of a three game road stretch.  They have four players in double figures and Trey Bonham playing at an all-conference level.  They simply need to continue improving if they want to stay within striking distance of the leaders
 
Furman – After an injury-filled stretch, the Paladins look to finally be healthy.  JP Pegues provided some fireworks with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to beat Western Carolina last Saturday.  They have now won four straight and Timmons Arena has been a difficult place to play in recent years.  Since the start of the 2019-20 season, the Paladins are 54-6 overall and 28-3 versus SoCon opponents at home.  Can they end the Samford Bulldogs 17-game win streak?
 
 
Tier II
 
Wofford – This team continues to show toughness and resiliency and probably deserves to be in Tier I.  The Terriers have won all the close ones and that’s put them in a good position.  With three of the next four at home, they would be wise to take care of business.
 
ETSU – It’s been a difficult stretch for the Bucs, but Brooks Savage continues to get the most out of his guys.  They play hard, but the injury to Karon Boyd has really hurt them.  He is their leading rebounder and best defender.  With a small margin for error, the loss of Boyd has made things tough, yet I still think this team will find their winning ways soon.
 
Mercer – The Bears start league play with six of their first eight away from home which has made things tough.  If they can start shooting just a bit better and get back home to Hawkins Arena, I believe they will turn some heads.
 
VMI – Andrew Wilson continues to work magic with a very young roster.  After what they did last Saturday beating The Citadel from start to finish, conference teams should be ready for a battle when they visit Cameron Hall, especially when the all the Keydets are in attendance.
 
The Citadel – Ed Conroy is an outstanding coach.  Period.  That said, the Bulldogs need to start better as they’ve tended to fall behind in league games. Secondly, they need better ball security as key turnovers have hindered them.
 
 
Until the next “Dean’s List” on February 7, follow me on X:  @DeanKeener1