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SoCon Basketball: 2018-19 key storylines for UNC-Greensboro at Wofford

By Tristan Freeman

CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 20: Players of the Wofford Terriers celebrate following their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 20: Players of the Wofford Terriers celebrate following their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: James Dickey #21 of the UNC-Greensboro Spartans dunks the ball in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: James Dickey #21 of the UNC-Greensboro Spartans dunks the ball in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Keys for UNC Greensboro to win

1. Stop Jackson and Hoover

Everyone knows about reigning SoCon Player of the Year Fletcher Magee and his scoring prowess, averaging 20 ppg on the season. But the reason why Wofford has taken the leap into being conference heavyweights has been the play of upperclassmen Cameron Jackson and Nathan Hoover. The duo is combining to average around 28 ppg, 10 rpg and 3.5 apg on the season.

Teams can’t double-team Magee because of these two and it’s propelled the Terriers to become one of the best offenses in the country. In the earlier game against the Spartans, the duo combined for 26 points and played stellar defense. Magee might go off but these two need to be kept in check for this game.

2. Get Alonso and Mickey going

Francis Alonso is an All-Conference player in his own right, averaging just under 17 ppg on the season. But he had one of his worst performances in a Spartan uniform against Wofford, scoring just eight total points on 3/14 shooting. Versus a high-powered offense like the Terriers, the opponent’s best player can’t afford an off night to have a realistic chance.

And while forward James Dickey isn’t much of a scorer in his own right (7.7 ppg on the season), he can’t get outplayed by Jackson like he was in the previous matchup. The 6-10 junior is key for UNC Greensboro to establish a presence inside and he’s coming off a season-high 12 points in his last game. Any added offense by him will be very helpful to keep up with Wofford.

3. Kept Wofford off the 3-point line

In the earlier matchup this season, Wofford made 10 three-pointers which were nearly enough to beat UNC Greensboro by itself. The Terriers are second in the country in long-range percentages at 42% and takes 26.5 attempts per game. The Spartans are middle of the road in three-point defense, allowing 35% from deep.

UNC Greensboro might be able to keep up with Wofford for a while since they also have a pretty good offense. But the efficiency of the Terriers is what has doomed so many teams this season. The Spartans must not allow double-digit three-pointers again in this game.