ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State Men's Basketball team looks to end their two-game skid after taking their second straight loss to Shaw last time out. The Trojans are still seeking their first divisional win. This marquee CIAA matchup is set for Saturday, January 21 at 12:00 p.m. The game will be aired live on the CW Richmond.

 
Virginia State (12-6) (5-2 CIAA) vs.  Elizabeth City State (8-10, 3-5 CIAA)

Date	Thursday January 21, 2023
Time	12:00 p.m.
Live Stream	WUPV – Channel 65 (The CW Richmond)
Live Stats	LIVE STATS
Location	Ettrick, VA (VSU Multipurpose center)
Twitter	@VSUsports
Instagram	@vsutrojans_1882
Facebook	Virginia State University Athletics

 
 

Series History
The Trojans are 19-11 against the Vikings in matchups dating back to 2007. Virginia State has won 10 of the last 12 matchups and boast a 10-4 record at home.
 

Self-Scout
The Virginia State Men's Basketball team is 12-6 (5-2 CIAA) this season which drops them down to second in the Northern Division behind Virginia Union. Last time out, the Trojans suffered their second straight loss on the road at Shaw 86-76. Virginia State scores 75.2 points per game while giving up 69.2. The squad still leads the CIAA in assists per contest (14.26). The Trojans maintain an assist/turnover ratio a 0.87 (T-2^nd in CIAA). VSU currently shoots 46.6% from the field and 37.5% (2^nd in CIAA). They get to the free throw line 15.0 times per game but look to shoot with more consistency maintaining a 64.6% free throw percentage. The squad allows teams to shoot just 41.6% from the field (2^nd in CIAA) and 32.1% from beyond the arc. They have forced 298 turnovers on the season and average 16.0 points per game off turnovers. They are currently plus 5.9 (2^nd in CIAA) in the rebounding category and have accounted for 134 steals this season. They also average 3.26 blocks per game (T-3^rd in CIAA). The Trojans currently have four players who average double figures.  



Bucket Getter
Terrence Hunter-Whitfield  ranks second in the CIAA in points per game averaging 18.4 (2^nd in CIAA) while shooting 70.3% (10^th in CIAA) from the free throw line. He also leads the team (2^nd n CIAA, T-8^th in NCAA) with 39 steals averaging 2.1 per contest. Hunter-Whitfield ranks second on the team with 4.7 rebounds per game (16^th in CIAA). Hunter-Whitfield has been deadly efficient from the field shooting 47.0% (5^th in CIAA). He knocks down 36.0% of his shots from downtown and is second on the team with 27 three-pointers made (10^th in CIAA). He is third on the team with 36 assists this season (T-14^th in CIAA). Last time out, Hunter-Whitfield 14 points while grabbing six rebounds and shooting 5-of-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line.


Switchblade
Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald  continues to consistently stuff the stat sheet as he ranks second on the team in assists with 45 (7^th in CIAA). Fitzgerald has been committed to crashing the boards this season despite spending most of his time beyond the three-point arc as 7.9 rebounds per game leads the team (3^rd in CIAA). The sharpshooter also leads the team with 45 made three-pointers (1^st in CIAA) averaging 2.4 per game which leads to 14.3 points per game (sixth in CIAA). He also ties for 12^th in the CIAA with eight blocks. Last time out, led the game with a season-high 25 points shooting 3-of-5 (60%) from three-point range while knocking down a near career-high 10-of-11 (90.9%) free throws. He grabbed 10 rebounds dished and dished three assists. This marked the seventh double-double of the season for Fitzgerald.  
 
Signal Caller
The signal-caller for the Trojans in Zach Newkirk currently leads the conference averaging 4.1 assists per game while maintaining a 1.7 assist/turnover ratio (3^rd in CIAA). He is consistent from the free throw line knocking down 83.3% of his shots. Newkirk has been a consistent force from behind the arc hitting 22-of-53 (41.5%) three-pointers this season and ties for 11^th with 22 made three-pointers. He averages 10.1 points per contest on a 43.4% field goal percentage. Last time out, Newkirk shook back scoring 14 points shooting 6-of-12 (50%) from the field and 2-of-4 from three-point range. Newkirk also grabbed three boards, dished three dimes and attained two steals against Shaw.  


Paint Beast
Tremere Brown has been a dominating force in the paint for the Trojans this season averaging 10.8 points per game along with 4.2 rebounds a game and leads the team with 34 offensive rebounds. Brown leads the team with a 63.8% field goal percentage along with 11 blocks. (T-10^th in CIAA). Brown scored 14 points shooting 6-of-8 (75%) from the field along with two rebounds, a block and a steal.


Scouting the Vikings
Though Elizabeth City's record is not ideal as of right now, they have won three of their last four. They are currently 3-8 in road games so fat this season. The Vikings lead the conference in blocks (114), rebounds per game (37.8) and opponent field goal percentage (41.1%). They are near the bottom of the league in scoring margin as they are -1.2. The team shoots 42.7% from the field and 31.7% from three-point range and rank third in the conference with 6.6 made three-pointers per game. They rank second in free throw percentage shooting 72.0%. Jaquantae Harris leads the team 11.9 points per game while his counterpart Tre Richardson averages 11.8. Harris shoots 48.4% from the field and 82.4% from the free throw line. He also has 13 steals. Richardson is the sniper of the team leading the squad with 41 made three-pointers. Amadou Faye ranks sixth in the conference with 7.0 rebounds and leads the conference with 57 blocks.