Happy SoCon Szn.
The non-conference slate is in the rearview, and Bob Richey’s squad enters the real season with a serious momentum. Riding a five-game winning streak and sitting at 9-4, the Paladins return to the friendly confines of Timmons Arena to open league play against a Mercer (8-5) team that looks nothing like the Bears of old.
New head coach Ryan Ridder has infused this program with energy and a modern philosophy. This isn’t a game where you can just out-athlete them; Mercer is disciplined, physical, and currently playing some of the most efficient basketball in the conference.
Here is what you need to know before today’s New Year’s Eve tip-off.
The Personnel: New Faces, New Problems
The Bears have undergone a massive overhaul. They are no longer the “slow-and-steady” team that tries to beat you in a rock fight. Under Ridder, they want to play with pace and leverage their new-look backcourt.
• The Engine: Baraka Okojie is the head of the snake. The Memphis transfer is a dynamic playmaker averaging 17.6 points and 5.6 assists per game. He lives in the paint and collapses defenses at will.
• The Interior Force: Armani Mighty is a problem. Averaging nearly a double-double (13.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG), he is the physical anchor Mercer has lacked in recent years. He’s also a high-level rim protector (1.8 BPG).
• The Outside Scorer: Tyler Johnson provides elite spacing. He’s shooting north of 45% from deep and demands a contested hand on every single catch.
The Injury Report: Shorthanded Paladins
It’s no secret that Furman is navigating a difficult stretch with the rotation. As we head into the opener, two massive pieces remain sidelined:
0. Cooper Bowser: His absence continues to be the biggest storyline. Without Bowser, Furman loses its primary rim protector and a unique offensive weapon who provides elite opportunities for dunks of lobs.
0. Collin O’Neal: The perimeter depth takes a hit here. O’Neal’s defensive versatility is missed, especially against a Mercer backcourt that likes to play bully-ball.
With both out, expect Alex Wilkins to carry a massive playmaking load, while Asa Thomas will need to remain elite from the perimeter to keep the floor spaced.
Three Keys to the Game
1. Managing the Glass Without Bowser, Furman is essentially playing single big, which Bob coached in past seasons. The Bears are a strong offensive rebounding team, and if Furman can’t defensive rebound by committee, the Paladins will be buried by second-chance points. Charles Johnston and Ben Vender Wal have to be physical early.
2. The Point Guard Duel This game features two of the best young guards in the league: Alex Wilkins vs. Baraka Okojie.
3. Three-Point Variance We know how the Paladins play. They are going to launch. Asa Thomas is currently leading the SoCon in three-point percentage (40.6%). Against a disciplined Ridder-coached defense, the quality of those looks matters. If Furman settles for early-clock, contested triples, they play right into Mercer’s hands.
The Outlook
This is a massive test for a shorthanded Furman team. Opening the SoCon against a revitalized Mercer team is no easy task. However, the Paladins have shown incredible resilience during this winning streak, and Alex Wilkins has matured into a legitimate star before our eyes. If the Paladins can survive the rebounding battle and keep Okojie out of the lane, they should move to 1-0 in the league.
The starting 5 was stellar today!!