ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State Men's Basketball team looks to even the score against Lincoln (Pa.) on Saturday, February 4 at 4:00 p.m. after the Men's JV game. The new class of Hall of Fame Inductees will be recognized at half time of the men's varsity.
Virginia State (15-7) (8-3 CIAA) vs. Lincoln (Pa.) (11-12, 5-6 CIAA)
Series History
The Trojans are 20-8 against the Lions in matchups dating back to 2007. Virginia State was swept by Lincoln (Pa.) last season but the Trojans won 13 straight matchups prior to the 2021-2022 season. The squad were sent packing with a loss earlier this season 62-54.
Self-Scout
The Virginia State Men's Basketball team is 15-7 (8-3 CIAA) this season as they remain second in the Northern Division behind Virginia Union. VSU and VUU share the same conference record but the Trojans lost their previous matchup this season which puts them second behind the Panthers. Last time out, the Trojans dusted off the Blue Bears of Livingstone 84-65 which gives them their third win in the last four games. Virginia State scores 73.7 points per game while giving up 66.8. The squad still leads the CIAA in assists per contest (14.32) while maintaining an assist/turnover ratio a 0.88 (Third in CIAA). VSU currently shoots 45.0% from the field and 36.5% (2
nd in CIAA). They get to the free throw line 15.8 times per game but look to shoot with more consistency maintaining a 64.4% free throw percentage. The squad allows their opponents to shoot just 40.4% from the field (2
nd in CIAA) and 30.0% (3
rd in CIAA) from beyond the arc. They have forced 347 turnovers on the season and average 15.7 points per game off turnovers. They are currently plus 6.9 (2
nd in CIAA) in the rebounding category and have accounted for 161 steals this season. They also average 3.41 blocks per game (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 17.9 (2
nd in CIAA) while shooting 70.9% (12
th in CIAA) from the free throw line. He also leads the team (2
nd n CIAA, T-8
th in NCAA) with 44 steals averaging 2.0 per contest. Hunter-Whitfield ranks second on the team with 4.5 rebounds per game (18
th in CIAA). Hunter-Whitfield has been deadly efficient from the field shooting 46.0% (4
th in CIAA). He knocks down 34.7% of his shots from downtown and is second on the team with 40 three-pointers made (10
th in CIAA). He is third on the team with 40 assists this season (14
th in CIAA).
Switchblade
Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald continues to consistently stuff the stat sheet as he ranks second on the team in assists with 60 (6
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 7.7 rebounds per game leads the team (3
rd in CIAA). The sharpshooter also leads the team and the CIAA with 55 made three-pointers which allows him to average 14.8 points per game (5
th in CIAA). He also ties for 12
th in the CIAA with 11 blocks.
The General
The signal-caller for the Trojans in
Zach Newkirk currently leads the conference averaging 4.2 assists per game while maintaining a 1.6 assist/turnover ratio (T-2
nd in CIAA). He is consistent from the free throw line knocking down 78.4% of his shots (5
th in CIAA). Newkirk hits 26-of-63 (34.7%) three-pointers this season and is tied for 13
th in the conference with 26 made three-pointers. He averages 10.5 points per contest on a 46.0% field goal percentage.
Paint Beast
Tremere Brown has been a dominating force in the paint for the Trojans this season averaging 10.3 points per game along with 4.9 rebounds a game and leads the team with 53 offensive rebounds (5
th in CIAA). Brown leads the team with a 60.9% field goal percentage along with 13 blocks. (T-10
th in CIAA). Brown score six points and grabbed six rebounds with a block and a steal.
Scouting the Lions
Lincoln (Pa.) currently rank fourth in the Northern Division of the CIAA. The Lions have won three of their last four games including a 62-54 win over VSU at home. Teams have had a rough go advancing the ball up the court the Lions the conference with 434 turnovers with a 4.96 turnover margin and score 19.7 points off of turnovers. The team shoots 41.9% from the field while allowing teams to shoot 41.7%. They struggle from the three-point line shooting just 31.1% from the three-point line while allowing opponents to shoot 32.1%. The team shoots 16.3 free throws per contest while hitting 68.9% from the free throw line. They are currently -3.7 in the rebounding category. Korey Williams will be the man the stop for the Lions as he ranks third in the conference with 16.8 points per contest. He ties for third in the conference with 48 made three pointers as he is 48-of-122 (39.3%) from beyond the arc. He leads the conference in free throw percentage maintaining an 82.0%. Williams ranks sixth in the conference in field goal percentage with a 44.6%. He also ranks second in the conference with 42 steals.
