1. Inside the SoCon

 
Samford continues to lead the way, but The Southern Conference basketball continues to be ultra-competitive as the Bulldogs lost on Saturday at Mercer.  The Bears have now beaten Furman, Samford and UNCG!  At a quick glance, it looks as though the six top teams have been decided, but make no mistake there is still time left for ETSU and Mercer to climb into that group.  They will need to play well – and will need so help - but anything is possible.  As we know, all ten teams can win 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 Championships which begin March 8.  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 games, practice, skill work, film study or weight training during the remainder of the regular season.  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 big question right now. While most would consider Samford, Chattanooga, UNCG and Furman the favorites, Western Carolina has more than enough firepower to win the tournament and don’t underestimate the Wofford Terriers.  In fact, all ten teams can win at least one game and that’s what will make things interesting.  As usual, this should be a fun weekend in Asheville for the fans.
 

2. In The Know

 

• Samford’s Rylan Jones is third in the country in assist/turnover ratio (3.97).  Ironically, former Furman guard Joe Anderson, now at Lipscomb is fourth at 3.90
• Chattanooga is fifth in the country in three-point attempts per game (29.6).  Furman is ninth at 29.1
• Chattanooga is fifth in the country in three-point field goals made per game (10.7)
• Samford is fourth in the country on scoring offense (87.8)
• Samford is sixth in the country in assists per game (18.3)
• Samford is fifth in the country in bench points per game (35.1).  Mercer is 11^th at 31.6
• Samford has reached 20 wins for the third time consecutive season

 

3. Top storylines this season in the Southern Conference

 

1. Samford – The Bulldogs have been terrific.  They had a 17-game winning streak from November 14 to January 24; they’re undefeated at home and look to be the favorite in Asheville.
2. Injuries – More than any previous season in recent memory, injuries have played a key role with many of the teams in the league.
3. Vonterius Woolbright – The Catamount guard continues to be a double- double machine. He currently leads the nation with 23 double-doubles
4. Power 5 wins – The Southern Conference had five Power 5 conference wins this season.
5. Trey Bonham Eligibility – The two-time transfer did not expect to play for Chattanooga this season, yet he made his debut on December 16 by hitting a halfcourt shot to beat Gardner-Webb.  His eligibility changed the Mocs season for the better.

 
 

4. Role Players

 
Only five players can start a basketball game, but the good teams have guys that understand their role 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. When that happens, good things follow.
 
In fact, the great teams have role players that understand their job and embrace it - they keep the rhythm and energy of the game going when entering the game. No one is doing this better in the SoCon than Samford where Bucky McMillan regularly uses 12 players.
 
As we enter the final stretch of the regular season guys off the bench 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
• Are 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 role 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
• Accept their role in positive possessions played rather than minutes played
• Value winning more than anything else

 
Great role players don’t think in terms of what “they can’t do”, but rather “what they can/should do”- and they know this can change game-to-game.
 
I know how much value players (as well as parents and others in a player’s inner circle) put on starting, but it truly doesn’t matter.  If a player can fulfill the attributes listed above, they can be a valuable part to their team and effect winning every night out.
 

5. Slotting the Teams

 
Teams are battling to finish in the top six and although VMI and The Citadel will play on Friday in Asheville, they can still affect the regular season race during the final two weeks:
 
Tier I
 

• Samford - Bucky McMillian can go 12 deep with lots of firepower.  They lost at Mercer last Saturday, but I have no reason to believe this will do anything but help the Bulldogs down the stretch.  Rylan Jones is the real deal, Achor Achor has been playing at an all-conference level, Jermaine Marshall is back (enough said) and AJ Staton-McCray and Jaden Campbell can cause problems on the wings.  That said, who takes “the shot” if/when that happens in Asheville.

 

• Chattanooga – The Mocs had won eight of nine before running into a buzzsaw at Furman last Sunday.  That said, as long as Trey Bonham’s ankle is okay Chattanooga will be just fine.

 

• UNCG – The Spartans are solid at both ends of the floor and because of this will be one of the favorites in Asheville.  Mike Jones always has his team ready.  The bench play has improved but remains a key if they are going to win three games in three days.

 

• Furman – The Paladins proved that when they decide to defend and move the ball on offense, they are as good as anyone in the league.  It will be interesting to watch this group to see if Sunday’s win over Chattanooga was a defining moment in their season and one, they can look back on in a positive way.

 
Tier II
 

• Western Carolina – Vonterius Woolbright is having one of the best seasons in Western Carolina basketball history. It’s my opinion he will be named Player of the Year, although Mikeal Brown-Jones is closer than some might think.  More importantly, Justin Gray has a team that can win games in Asheville!

 

• Mercer - Greg Gary continues to have the Bears prepared and competitive. But he needs Jalyn McCreary to be dialed in every minute of every game.  This is a group that has beaten Furman and Samford at home and UNCG on the road.  Their final four games are Citadel, UNCG, Chattanooga and Furman.  These could very well decide their momentum ad mindset when they arrive in Asheville.

 

• Wofford – Has anyone done a better coaching job than Dwight Perry and his staff?  Unfortunately, the schedule is not kind to the Terriers as they finish with three of four on the road. Still, don’t count this group out!

 

• ETSU – True, the Bucs are not always a good shooting team.  But Brooks Savage has done a nice job coaching this group.  We’ve seen that they play hard, they defend and recently, they’ve cut down on turnovers.  I still believe they will play a spoiler in Asheville.   

 
Tier III
 

• The Citadel – The Citadel got revenge at home against VMI as the Bulldogs looked good in doing it.  Ed Conroy has had to reinvent things after the season-ending injuries to Christian Moore and Winston Hill.  That’s not been easy, even for a talented coach like Conroy.

 

• VMI – The Keydets are scrappy and continue to battle.  The freshmen are growing up and Taeshaud Jackson continues to be terrific on the boards.  They need Brennan Watkins back to help with scoring.

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