NCAA Basketball: Liberty, Jhivvan Jackson top mid-major performers of the week

Best Mid-Major Matchup – ETSU 64, UNCG 57

Last week, a SoCon battle got upstaged in this section by a four-overtime affair. This week, the SoCon got its time to shine.

ETSU and UNC G, the two preseason favorites in the SoCon, did battle, with the Buccaneers handing the Spartans their fifth loss of the season 64-57 in Greensboro. Even though UNC G now sits fifth in the conference standings, I still think these are the two best teams in the league.

A balanced attack from ETSU ( three in double-figures, six with at least seven) won out over Spartan vets Isaiah Miller and James Dickey combining for 36 of the 57 UNC G points. The win went a long way toward a regular season crown for ETSU. Western Carolina currently sits in atop the league, but they have yet to play any of the perceived “big four” – ETSU, UNC G, Furman, and Wofford. Meanwhile, ETSU already has wins against two of them, but just a loss at Furman to speak of.

There’s a reason I designated the SoCon as the conference race to watch for the second half of the season. Any of these teams could make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.