Game 1: Virginia State (2-0) vs. University of Mount Olive (0-2)
Game 2: Virginia State (2-0) vs. Barton College (0-2) |
| Dates |
Game 1: Friday, November 19, 2021
Game 2: Saturday, November 20, 2021 |
| Times |
Game 1: 7:00 p.m.
Game 2: 5:00 p.m. |
| Live Stream |
Live Stream Link |
| Live Stats |
Live Stats Link |
| Location |
Mount Olive, North Carolina |
| Social Media |
@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882 |
The VSU men's basketball team prepare for the Mt. Olive Pickle Classic, as the Trojans of the University of Mt. Olive will host Virginia State University, St. Augustine's and Barton College in the Kornegay Arena. This tournament could also be called the CIAA/CC challenge as VSU and SAU will attempt to join forces to take down the Conference Carolinas opponents. This weekend's slate of games goes as follows:
Friday-St. Augustine's at Barton @ 5 p.m.
Friday-Virginia State at Mt. Olive @ 7 p.m.
Saturday- Virginia State at Barton @ 5 p.m.
Saturday-St. Augustine's at Mt. Olive @ 7 p.m.
Last Time Out
- Francis Fitzgerald recorded his first 20-point game of the season as he led the game with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field. Fitzgerald also went 3-5 from beyond the arc along with nine rebounds.
- Jonathan Norfleet scored 16 on 6-10 shooting and 2-4 from three-point range along with five dimes.
- The Trojans dominated the glass outrebounding the Raiders 45-31 while accounting for 17 second chance points.
- VSU shot an efficient 50% from the field while knocking down 6-of-16 three-pointers.
- Virginia State held the Raiders to 20% from beyond the arc in the second half.
- VSU shot 50% from the field in the game.
Scouting the Trojans
The Trojans of the University of Mt. Olive are a part of Conference Carolinas (CC). The Trojans have gotten off to a rough start losing two games by a total of 40 points. The Trojans will have to clean up their operation moving forward as they are -4.5 in the turnover margin averaging 18.5 per game so far. Offensively, UMO struggles shooting 40% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc. A couple high points of the of the UMO offense is free throws and assists shooting an efficient 73% from the free throw line and averaging 14.5 assists per contest. Defensively, the Trojans average seven steals per game turning them into 12.5 points off the turnovers per game. While they do create turnovers, they also allow their opponents to shoot at a 48% clip from the field. Alan Treakle leads his squad in points (20), assists (7) and steals (5). The senior guard's best game this season was against Augusta where we scored 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range along with six assists. Trayvon Ferrell has hit 50% of his three-pointers this season while also leading his team in rebounds with 7.5 per game.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs of Barton College are a part of Conference Carolinas (CC). The Bulldogs start the season winless in two games losing by nine in their season opener and 21 in their second game. BC is not the team you want to put on the foul line, as they are nearly 80% in the season. What has plagued the Bulldogs to this point in the season is their field goal percentage as they are 40% from the field this season. BC also turns the ball over 14 times per game, which allows their opponents to score 18 points from their turnovers. Defensively, the Bulldogs average 36 rebounds per game giving them the slight edge over their opponents 73-72 so far this season. Barton also does an exceptional job getting into the passing lanes this season averaging six steals per game. Donaven Hairston is 10-10 from the free throw line this, which helps him lead his team with 20 points per game. Hairston shoots a team-high 50% from the field so far while also accounting for a team-high six assists. Marcus Boykin is second on the team in scoring with 16 per game while leading the team in rebounds per contest with 10.
