The Mocs were humbled by Elon the last time the two met. The Mocs were humbled by UNCG the last time they took the floor. So, basically, the Mocs know a thing or two about being humbled right now.
It is now time to pick up the pieces and try to move forward. The situation is more bleak than it was on Thursday for getting the fourth bye, the possibility is still out there (slim as it may be). The chance to finish fifth is very much alive, which would be almost as good as getting a bye. So there is still plenty on the line.
Elon clinched the North Division title on Thursday night when they won a thriller at Samford. The Phoenix have very little on the line right now. Yes, they want a 20 win season. Yes, they still have an outside shot at finishing with the best overall record in the SoCon. That chance relies entirely on winning out, including beating Davidson on Wednesday, and having the Wildcats blow their home finale against Georgia Southern. In other words, the odds are slim.
This is a bit of a trap game for the Phoenix, as they played an emotional game and won it on Thursday night and are looking ahead to Davidson on Wednesday. It would be easy for Elon to look past this one, especially after the way the Mocs played on Thursday night.
Elon is lead by SoCon Player of the Year candidate, Lucas Troutman. He is averaging 14.9 points per game, on 54.8% shooting, while averaging 5.4 rebounds per contest. Many people are expecting him not to play on Saturday night, as he rested his sore ankle on Thursday night. The ankle injury caused him to miss a game earlier this month. Troutman will probably play minimal minutes in this one, which only helps the Mocs.
Jack Isenbarger has been averaging 13.9 points per game. His shooting has been down this year. He is shooting just 34.8% from three point range. That being said, Isenbarger is one of those guys that is capable of going off and making five or six threes in a game. He is a very dangerous shooter. He also leads the current roster with 2.9 assists per game.
Ryley Beaumont is the leading rebounder. He is averaging 6.9 boards per contest. He also averages 11.4 points per game. He shoots nearly 50% from the field. Sebastian Koch also leads the team with 43.9% from three point range. Tanner Samson also is a decent three point shooter.
LEAD PIPE LOCK PREDICTIONS THAT ARE SURE TO GO WRONG
--With Austin Hamilton out, Troutman hobbled, and the Phoenix in a sandwich game, the Mocs will play this one closer than they should.
--Isenbarger will knock down a bunch of threes.
--Gee McGhee and Rico White will get to the free throw line consistently and make quite a few.
--Drazen Zlovaric will play well in his last game as a senior.
--Z Mason will have another type of game where he is a player of the year candidate.
--Elon 74, Mocs 61. The Mocs just can't keep it together right now. The Mocs are beat up emotionally right now. It is going to be hard for them to pick themselves back up. If they can pick it up, they have a very real chance. The Phoenix will make too many threes for the Mocs to overcome. Senior Night will end poorly.
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