This afternoon, the Paladins (10-5, 1-1 SoCon) head to the McKenzie Arena to face Chattanooga (9-6, 1-1 SoCon) in a game televised on CBS Sports Network. For both programs, this is a massive opportunity. Two elite programs, a national audience, and early-season positioning at stake.
Furman is looking to shake off a heartbreaker. After opening league play with a win over Mercer, the Paladins dropped a 80-77 overtime thriller to Western Carolina on Saturday. Despite the loss, the Paladins showed they have a legitimate interior presence even with a shortened bench. Meanwhile, the Mocs are also looking to bounce back after a narrow 72-68 road loss at VMI where they couldn’t quite find their rhythm late.
Both teams sit at 1-1 in the league. Here is what you need to know.
The Mocs Scouting Report
The Mocs have turned the keys over to a new generation of guards. While the names have changed, the philosophy remains: high pace, lots of threes, and aggressive guard play.
• Jordan Frison. The sophomore has become the focal point of the Mocs’ attack. He’s a dynamic playmaker who leads the team in both scoring and assists. He’s the guy Furman’s point-of-attack defense has to prioritize.
• Billy Smith. Smith is coming off a 17-point performance against VMI and is a high-volume threat who can stretch the Paladin defense.
• The Veteran Presence: Brennan Watkins. A senior who provides the steady hand in the backcourt. He’s an efficient scorer who understands Dan Earl’s system.
• Makai Richards. At 6’10”, Richards provides the verticality the Mocs need. He isn’t a high-volume scorer, but he’s a physical presence on the glass and a capable rim protector.
The Injury Report: The Rise of Johnston
Furman continues to navigate life without two massive pieces, but the “next man up” has held up so far.
0. Cooper Bowser & Collin O’Neal: Both remain sidelined. Their absence was felt in the OT loss to Western Carolina, particularly on the defensive end during high-leverage possessions.
0. The Charles Johnston Breakout: In the absence of Bowser, Charles Johnston has been a solid. The senior center put up a career-high 20 points and 15 rebounds against Western Carolina. He is a double-double machine that Chattanooga will have to game-plan for.
0. The Stud Freshman: Alex Wilkins continues to defy “freshman” labels. He dropped 24 points and 6 assists in 39 minutes against WCU. He is currently playing like a First-Team All-SoCon talent.
Three Keys to the Game
1. The Battle of the Breakouts This game features two of the most exciting young guards in the league: Alex Wilkins vs. Jordan Frison. Both are the primary engines for their respective offenses. If Wilkins can out-duel Frison in a hostile road environment, Furman’s chances of a win skyrocket.
2. Dictating the Paint Chattanooga’s Makai Richards is a formidable interior defender, but if Johnston can pull him away from the rim or get him in foul trouble early, it opens the lane for Wilkins and Eddrin Bronson to drive and kick.
3. Three-Point Variance on National TV Chattanooga lives and dies by the triple. They want to get Furman into a track meet. The Paladins, specifically Asa Thomas (15 pts vs. WCU) and Tom House, need to match that output. Furman shot well from deep against Western, but they’ll need to be solid again to keep pace with a Mocs team that loves to shoot from outside.
The Outlook
This is a quintessential “measurement” game. Furman is playing high-level basketball despite the injuries, and Charles Johnston has given this team a physical identity they miss without Bowser. If the Paladins can contain Jordan Frison and continue to win the rebounding battle as they did on Saturday, they have a great chance to ruin the Mocs’ national TV party.