The Citadel (19-11) At Georgia Southern (8-20)
GAME NOTES: Regular season play will come to a close this evening for two teams when the Georgia Southern Eagles host The Citadel Bulldogs in Southern Conference action at the Hanner Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs head into this matchup fresh off a tough, 62-55 setback to Wofford. The loss snapped an 11- game winning steak for The Citadel, and also dropped the team to 14-5 in league play. However, with a victory tonight the Bulldogs will earn a first round bye in the Southern Conference Tournament, and record just their second 20-win season in school history. As for the Eagles, they have dropped 10 of their last 11 matchups, including an embarrassing, 99-56 loss to Davidson on Saturday. The recent collapse has left Georgia Southern with a meager 5-14 mark in league play. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the Eagles have a 26-16 edge over the Bulldogs, and that includes a 14-5 mark in games played in Statesboro. However, earlier this season The Citadel defeated Georgia Southern, 84-75.
The Citadel has relied on strong defensive play throughout the season as the team is holding opponents to just 64.6 ppg. However, where the team has struggled is offensively, as the Bulldogs are posting a meager 66.9 ppg. Demetrius Nelson has been a force in the paint for the Bulldogs, and is producing 15.9 ppg and a team-best 6.5 rpg. Cameron Wells is the only other player netting double-figures on the year, and comes into this game with 15.3 ppg and 5.0 rpg. The Bulldogs had no bite in their last matchup, as the team scored just 55 points in a tough loss to Wofford. The Citadel shot 45.7 percent from the field, but made just 3-of-15 attempts from long range and only 10-of-16 shots from the foul line. Nelson led the way with 14 points and eight rebounds in the loss, while Wells added 13 points.
Where the Bulldogs have succeeded, the Eagles have failed, as the team is currently surrendering a whopping 78.7 ppg. The team's terrible defensive play continued in its recent loss to Davidson, as the Eagles were torched for 99 points, en route to a 43-point loss. The team was just as ineffective offensively, as Georgia Southern shot just 35.6 percent from the floor, and made only 4-of-14 shots from long range. Ben Drayton led the way with 18 points, but the guard also committed an inexcusable 10 turnovers. Coly Wohlleb added 11 points in the loss, while Tyler Troupe contributed 10 points. Drayton is currently posting 11.7 ppg on the year for the Eagles, but the top performer has been Antonio Hanson, who is averaging 11.9 ppg.
The Eagles usually have success against the Bulldogs at home, but this game is far too important for The Citadel, and with so much on the line, expect the Bulldogs to buckle down and get the win.
Predicted OutcomeThe Citadel 74, Georgia Southern 68Copyright 2009 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
