Box Score LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College men's basketball team heads to Salem, VA and the Salem Civic Center for the second consecutive season to battle the Quakers of Guilford College in the league quarterfinals. Last year, Randolph knocked off the Quakers 75-72 en route to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament final appearance. GC comes into the game with the No. 3 seed, while No. 6 seed Randolph advanced past Roanoke College Tuesday to get to this point.
Game Details
Opponent:vs. Guilford College (17-8/11-5 ODAC)
Site: Salem, VA
Facility: Salem Civic Center
Date: February 24, 2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Live Stats
Live Video
What to Look For
The Quakers and WildCats split their season series, as each team won on their home court. Both teams sport two All-ODAC players, Colton Hunt (Whittier, NC/Smoky Mountain) andDerrick Woods-Morrow (Greensboro, NC/NE Guilford) for Randolph and guards Josh Pittman and Gabriel Lowder for the Quakers. Guilford leads the conference in rebounding, so keeping the Quakers off the glass will be crucial for the WildCats.
A Look at the Quakers
Guilford is one of the most well coached teams in the league, as top boss Tom Palombo and his squad is always a tough matchup. Guilford plays a very tough, physical game on defense and makes it difficult for other teams to score. The Quakers sport a dynamic backcourt duo in first-team All-ODAC selection Josh Pittman and second-teamer Gabriel Lowder. Lowder scored 37 points in a game this year, the highest single game output in the conference this season. He can shoot the three very well, while possessing great defensive skills. Pittman's game has a Pete Maravich quality to it, as he can pass, shoot and rebound very well. His best quality may be his fearlessness with the ball in his hand.
The Quakers also have a nice mix up front, with ODAC Rookie of the Year Will Freeman, Justin Stafford as well as Brad Monroe. GC takes care of the ball, turning the rock over only 14.2 times a game, which ranks second in the conference. Swingman Carson Sullivan has been a nice addition to the Quakers this season, as has first-year Matt McCarthy and his 43.1 percent from behind the arc.
Against the Quakers
The WildCats are 3-6 all-time against the Quakers. The first meeting between these two teams was back in 2009, a 73-63 win for Guilford. In fact, GC won the first four meetings between these two squads, but Randolph has won three of the last five meetings, including the lone ODAC Tournament meeting last year.
Hello First Team
Junior guard Colton Hunt earned his second straight All-ODAC first team accolade Thursday evening, as the junior comes into the tournament quarterfinals fourth in the league in scoring with 16.6 points per game.
Beast Mode
Senior Derrick Woods-Morrow racked up his second conference award this week, as he was recognized on the All-ODAC Third Team at the conference banquet Thursday. He is fourth in the conference in field goal percentage, and second in rebounding with eight boards a game.
Family Matters
The ODAC Tournament has a family flair to it, as Randolph's Zach Desgain (Richmond, VA/J.R. Tucker) will follow his older brother Adam Desgain onto the court tonight. Adam's Randolph-Macon squad plays the 6 p.m. game right before the WildCats play at 8 p.m.
Don't Expect Points
Randolph and Guilford come into tonight's game allowing the least and third least points per game in the conference, respectively.
Downtown Is Open
The WildCats are very dangerous when shots are falling, and last year in the Tournament Randolph shot the Salem Civic Center's lights out. Guilford is 10th in the league in three-point shooting against, so it could bode well for Randolph.
Hold Onto It
Randolph College has done a very good job of late with its turnovers, as the WildCats have only given the ball away 11.4 times per game over their last three contests. That is almost four turnovers less than its season average.
Neutral Oh-No
The WildCats are 0-2 this season on neutral courts, losing two thrillers in Puerto Rico over Christmas break. That experience could help Randolph, but its combined 40.8 shooting from the floor will need to improve in non-true road games.
Glaring Difference
The WildCats win and loss stats are quite revealing, especially when looking at shooting. Randolph shoots 50 percent overall and nearly 40 percent from downtown in wins, but only 41.1 percent overall and 25.5 percent in losses.
Prince of Thieves
Colton Hunt comes into the game with 70 steals on the season, which is second in the conference. Hunt anticipates well, and has active hands which allows him to pick driving opponents. He is 10th nationally in steals per game with 2.9 a night.
No Points For You
The WildCats currently sit with the 23rd best scoring defense in the country, as well as posting the 25th best field goal percentage against statistic in Division III men's hoops.
Bu Bear
Mike Ehilegbu (Raleigh, NC/Ravenscroft) is a difference maker for the WildCats, as his scoring threat is huge for Randolph. When he gets to 16 points, Randolph is 6-1 on the season. He posted a career-high 22 points against Guilford in the last meeting between these two teams.
Smarty Pants
Randolph junior Colton Hunt earned his second straight ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete of the Year award Thursday evening. Not a bad week, as Hunt was also honored as a Capital One Academic All-American this week as well. Hunt has a 3.93 in economics.
Records From Another Look:
Home: 8-4
Road: 5-7
Neutral: 0-2
Leading Scorer 14 or less: 1-6
Leading Scorer 15 or more: 12-7
When Hunt is Leading Scorer: 7-8
When Ehilegbu is Leading Scorer: 5-2
When Desgain is Leading Scorer: 2-2
When Woods-Morrow is Leading Scorer: 2-2
When Battaglia is Leading Scorer: 1-1
When Team FG% is .450 or Higher: 9-3
When Team FG% is .449 or Lower: 4-10
Against Reptiles: 0-1
Against Medieval Warriors : 1-1
Against Regality: 1-1
Against Avians: 1-0
Against Felines: 3-1
Against Game Fish: 0-1
Against Religious Refugees: 1-1
Against Insects: 1-4
Against Colors:2-1
Against Auggies: 0-1
Against Trail Finders: 0-1
Against Military Leaders: 2-0
Against Large Prairie Animals: 1-0
Against Teams A-K: 8-6
Against Teams L-Z: 5-7
Against Virginia Teams: 10-10
Against Washington DC Teams: 1-0
Against North Carolina Teams: 2-1
Against Maryland Teams: 0-1
Against Michigan Teams: 0-1
