You can call it the biggest game of the year for the Georgia College and State University men’s basketball team.
Thus far, that is.
Tonight, the ‘Cats take on the Saints of North Georgia College & State University out of Dahlonega.
The Bobcats are at an impressive 16-2 and 9-0 in the Peach Belt Conference western division. The conference mark is good for first place and is also the best start in school history for the Bobcats.
Georgia College is also nationally ranked at #21, moving up four slots after last week’s play. GCSU defeated Francis Marion University this past Friday and most recently scorched the UNC Pembroke Braves on Sunday 82-50.
Terry Sellers and his Bobcats shot a whopping 29 times from behind the arc, hitting 41.4 percent. The Bobcats have now won 10 in a row and look to make it 11 tonight against a highly-talented Saints squad.
The Saints are at 12-7 overall, but at 7-2 in the PBC-west. North Georgia started out the season sluggish, but dating back to Dec. 17, NGCSU is 8-3 in 11 games played. Prior to that date, the Saints were just 3-5.
North Georgia presents challenges to Georgia College in many areas. The Saints have four players on their roster that hit double digits every outing. Led by senior guard Michael Moynihan (15 points, 4.8 assists per game) out front and senior forward Bernard Rimmer (11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds), the Saints have a well balanced scoring attack. North Georgia also has junior guard Carl Taylor (10.8 points) and senior center Andrew Bennett (11.2 points, 5.7 rebounds) adding to the mix.
The Saints also allow teams to garner just 32.1 rebounds each game. That could possibly bode disastrous for GCSU with a huge emphasis on rebounding with a quick-spurted team.
Here are the keys to tonight’s contest:
1) Georgia College can’t allow the two post players for North Georgia to get hot. Starters Josh Hurst and Ryan Aquino must play smart underneath, deny the passes, and most importantly, not get into foul trouble.
2) Along the same lines of the first key, it’s also imperative for the Bobcat perimeter defense to be a force this evening. Seniors Graham Martin, Ty Rowland, and Jake Rios have to pick up the guards for the Saints early in the possession and not allow easy basket cuts.
3) I’ll be watching the three-point shooting tonight for the Bobcats. During this recent 10 game run, Georgia College is shooting 43.4 percent from behind the arc in 202 total attempts. Not too shabby!
4) The Bobcats must being energy and focus. The guys should be rested up as not one player was on the floor for more than 25 minutes this past Sunday against UNC Pembroke.
5) I am energized to watch the post battles this evening. Hurst/Aquino for GCSU up against Bennett/Rimmer for North Georgia. Nothing like physicality on the blocks!
This game is important, folks. Georgia College is ahead of the Saints in the PBC-west by two games. A loss here would make things interesting with the DII powerhouse, conference member, and nationally ranked #12 Augusta State Jaguars lurking ahead next Thursday.
Chat with you at 7:25 from inside the Centennial Center during the telecast on Peach Belt TV (www.pennatlantic.com – sign up for free)!
It’s the classic battle between the Bobcats and the Saints, aka, cat and dog!
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