After a bad week for the SoCon, which featured what is popularly considered the second best team in the SoCon falling to a DII team, Elon can provide a measure of redemption for the ailing conference against an Atlantic 10 team on the road.
Can the Phoenix deliver the goods?
The losses have been disappointing for Elon. But Lucas Troutman scored 14.7 points per game and has 6.0 rebounds per game. He and Jack Isenbarger are the two Phoenix players that have lead the way so far. Isenbarger is averaging a very solid 13.9 points per contest. Ryley Beaumont is very good rebounder along with Troutman, averaging 5.9 boards per game.
The Phoenix have only allowed more than 59 points once in a win, and that was against Colgate, when they won 81-72. They are 6-1 when allowing 72 points or fewer, and 0-2 when allowing 73 or more points. This is a physical team that likes to play defense. This is a tough team.
With Troutman and Isenbarger, not to mention Austin Hamilton, this Phoenix team is a fun to watch, physical bunch that are going to be a tough out for everyone in the SoCon.
Massachusetts is a funny bunch. They are 4-0 in games decided by six or less, including three games decided by three points or less. Chaz Williams, Jesse Morgan, and Terrell Vinson all are averaging in doubel digits. Williams is averaging 15.7 points per game, Morgan 15.3, and Vinson 10.0. Four Minutemen are averaging over five rebounds per contest. Williams, Vinson, Raphiael Putney, and Cady Lalanne are the Minutemen players averaging more than five.
This is a pretty rebounding team for the Minutemen. They also do not turn the ball over much, and come up with a lot of blocks.
LEAD PIPE LOCK PREDICTIONS THAT ARE SURE TO GO WRONG
--Massachusetts size will bother the Phoenix, especially Troutman.
--The Phoenix will keep it close, especially with Isenbarger and Hamilton leading the way.
--The Minutemen are unable to blow anyone out, so this will be a tight game.
--Massachusetts 74, Elon 71. The Phoenix are going to have a tough time going on the road and pulling this one out. They will need an exceptional performance for Troutman (that may not 100% show up in the numbers) to be able to come up with the win in this one. But Williams and Morgan will be too much for the Phoenix in the end. But the Minutemen will know that they have been in a battle.
Sorry for the lack of in-depth coverage here. Lots of illness in my house this week. Trying to just muscle through that at this point.
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