| Virginia State (7-12) at Salem (15-5) |
| Date |
February 6, 2022 |
| Time |
6:00 p.m. |
| Live Stream |
Live Stream |
| Location |
Salem, West Virginia (T. Edward Davis gym) |
| Social Media |
@VSUsports | @vsutrojans_1882 |
The VSU men's basketball team prepares for their final non-conference matchup of the season as they come off a horrendous loss to VUU, 81-57. The loss drops the Trojans conference record down to 4-7. Coach Lonnie Blow's squad currently ranks second in the conference in three-pointers made per game (6.6), second in assists per game (13.89) and second in assist/turnover ratio (0.92).
Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald is one of the CIAA's most skilled scorer's as 17.5 points per contest ranks him fourth in the conference. Fitzgerald also ranks sixth in field goal percentage (45%), seventh in free throw percentage (78%) and seventh in made three-pointers per game (2.1). The Junior guard also crept his way into the eighth spot in blocks with 15.
Terrence Hunter-Whitfield is recognized as one of the greatest second options a team could offer scoring 14 points per game in the season. Hunter-Whitfield is also deadly from the foul line knocking down 76.7% of his free throws, which ranks him seventh in the conference. He also gets it done on the boards as well averaging 7.3 rebounds per game which ranks him seventh in the conference. In the first two games of the New Year, Hunter Whitfield scored a total of 59 points.
Michael Melvin is currently the conference leader in assists per contest (5.6) and assist/turnover ratio (1.7).
Last Time Out
- Caleb Butts recorded 10 points and eight rebounds in the contest as well.
- Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald posted six points and six rebounds.
- 17 offensive rebounds led to 14 second chance points.
Scouting the Tigers
The Tigers are currently 15-5 winning their last three games. The Trojans have a tall task ahead as they look to put the second blemish on Tigers home record. The Tigers are +13 in the scoring margin (18
th in the country) averaging 88 points per game while allowing opponents to average 75. The Tigers shoot a whopping 50% from the field and 42% from the three-point line. SU also crashes the glass hard as the squad is +5 in the rebounding margin as well. The Tigers only kryptonite is their turnovers as they average 12 per game and give their opponents 14 points off turnovers. That being said, Salem gets those extra possessions back averaging seven steals per game. The Tigers have four players in Fonz Hale (22), Tobias Howard, Jr. (19), Stan Smith (12) and Rodney Smith (11) who average double figures as Howard, Jr., and Smith also lead the team in assists with 72 apiece. Darius Bell is the team leader with 23 blocks and 121 rebounds on the season.
Series History
This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
A Win Would…
- Put an end to a three-game losing streak
- Put an end to Salem's three-game win-streak
- Give the Trojans their first win in the month of February
