Wofford Terriers
Southern Conference (26-8, 15-3)
Seed: #13
East Region
Big Wins: 11/17 at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />
Bad Losses: 11/22 at Bradley (54-56), 12/2 at
Last NCAA Appearance: none
Coach: Mike Young (First NCAA appearance)
Why They Can Surprise:
Wofford only has one intimidating scorer and that is Noah Dahlman. The 6-6 junior averages 16.8 points per game and nobody else on the team even averages double figures. That means the Terriers will be looking for Dahlman to take the big shots. But Dahlman is not an outside shooter. In fact he is the big man on this undersized team and his duties on the glass and on the defensive end usually keep him in the paint. Dahlman does have the ability to attack the basket and create his own shot and that is an important part of the Terriers offense. But there is another big guy on the team…well sort of. Tim Johnson is really a 6-6 wing, but he has to play bigger than that, and he certainly does by leading this team with 7.9 rebounds.
In the backcourt Jamar Diggs and Junior Salters are the usual starters. Diggs does most of his damage by attacking the basket and he is a pretty good rebounder for a 6-2 guard and on an undersized team like this, that is a nice bonus. Salters is the outside shooter of the bunch and knocks down about two long balls per contest. That is pretty much all Salters does, so if his shot is not falling, he has trouble creating offense.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The lack of big guys is a problem. When your starting frontcourt are a couple 6-6 guys, most opposing teams can have an easy time grinding it out and getting the ball into the paint and finishing. The only other forward on the roster that plays any significant minutes is Terry Martin. But Martin is not a big guy either. He is only 6-6. While he does have a little more weight to throw around under the basket, Martin will not play that many minutes. Oddly enough, the tallest player on the roster is listed as a guard. Corey Godzinski is 6-9 and is forced to spend some time under the basket. He will not play too many minutes, but at least he is a versatile big player that Coach Mike Young can use when necessary.
Who To Watch:
Cameron Rundles is one of the many guards on this team that average between six and ten points per game. Rundles has earned some starts during the season, but has worked out pretty well as a spark off the bench. He is a fine outside shooter and can create his own shots off the dribble. If Rundles is being productive, the lack of size up front can be overcome. Sophomores Kevin Giltner and Jason Dawson are down the depth chart a ways, but both are capable outside shooters who can provide a spark if the rest of scorers on the perimeter are struggling.
Probable Starters:
Brad Loesing, Sophomore, Guard, 6.0 ppg, 3.0 apg
Junior Salters, Senior, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 1.4 apg
Jamar Diggs, Junior, Guard, 9.4 ppg, 2.6 apg
Tim Johnson, Junior, Forward, 6.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg
Noah Dahlman, Junior, Forward, 16.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Jason Dawson, Sophomore, Guard, 2.9 ppg, 1.2 apg
Kevin Giltner, Sophomore, Guard, 3.6 ppg
Corey Godzinski, Senior, Guard, 3.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg
Terry Martin, Junior, Forward, 4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Cameron Rundles, Junior, Guard, 6.6 ppg, 1.4 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.8 (151st in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.5 (34, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.4 (130, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.2 (121, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.0 (187, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (133, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.4 (217, 7)
Rebound Margin: 3.2 (80, 3)
Assists Per Game: 13.7 (122, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.1 (48, 3)
Joel’s Bracket Says: First Round loss to Wisconsin
