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SoCon Basketball: Furman, UNCG, ETSU at top in latest power rankings

By Donovan Darlington

LEXINGTON, VA - JANUARY 10: The Southern Conference logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Furman Paladins and the Virginia Military Keydets at Cameron Hall on January 10, 2019 in Lexington, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
LEXINGTON, VA - JANUARY 10: The Southern Conference logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Furman Paladins and the Virginia Military Keydets at Cameron Hall on January 10, 2019 in Lexington, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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LAWRENCE, KANSAS – NOVEMBER 19: Lucas N’Guessan #25 of the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – NOVEMBER 19: Lucas N’Guessan #25 of the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

1. ETSU

Record: 25-4 (14-2 SoCon)

With 25 wins and only four losses, and a 14-2 record in SoCon play, ETSU sits alone at first place in the league.

The Buccaneers are currently on a seven-game win streak following a very surprising and NCAA Tournament crippling 71-55 loss to Mercer. If it comes down to it, ETSU may be in the conversation for an at-large bid if they were to not win the SoCon, but that loss may devastate those hopes.

Nonetheless, they took care of Furman 75-66 last week, so the conference is now theirs to take. This ETSU team is very good because of their efficiency on both sides of the all. They average just under 77 ppg while allowing just over 63 ppg.

Their ability to score with ease and play excellent defense is due to the fact that they are loaded with tough and quick guards that can get free to get good shots off just as well as they can pick up much-needed steals.

The Buccaneers go five guards deep, and each one averages over 7.0 ppg. Senior guard, Tray Boyd III, averages 13.7 ppg and shoots 42.8% from the field. Junior Guard, Bo Hodges, contributes 13.5 ppg and shoots 50.7% from the field.

In addition to the scorers in the backcourt, their two very reliable frontcourt playmakers, Seniors Jeromy Rodriguez and Lucas N’Guessan, average 10.7 and 9.1 ppg, respectively.

Next. Top-25 power rankings. dark

When assessing the size and depth of the team, it is easy to see why they are currently in first place in the SoCon Basketball standings. Depth goes a long way in NCAA Basketball, and I would not be shocked to see them win and represent the league in the NCAA Tournament.