Preview: Keydets Face Paladins in Southern Conference Clash

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (Interstat) — The Furman Paladins look to continue their strong start to Southern Conference play when they host the Virginia Military Institute Keydets in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Timmons Arena.

Furman (11-5 overall) enters the matchup coming off a 78-67 road victory at Chattanooga on Wednesday. The Paladins have won four of their last five games, with their only loss in that span coming in overtime to Western Carolina.

The Paladins are led by guard Asa Thomas, who is averaging 16 points over his last three games. He scored 16 points and dished out three assists in the win over Chattanooga. Charles Johnston, who had a team-high 21 points against the Mocs, provides a consistent secondary scoring threat.

VMI (6-10) seeks to rebound from an 81-67 loss at East Tennessee State on Wednesday. The Keydets have struggled on the road this season, dropping their last three contests away from home.

The Keydets will rely heavily on the scoring of guard TJ Johnson, who is averaging 21.3 points over his last four games. Johnson erupted for a season-high 30 points in the loss to ETSU. Support from Tan Yildizoglu and Alexander Daushvili, who combined for 17 points Wednesday, will be crucial.

Furman holds a distinct advantage in the season series in recent years and will look to use its home court and superior record to control the tempo. VMI’s hopes likely hinge on Johnson’s ability to generate offense against a Paladin defense that has held three of its last five opponents under 72 points.

This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. They are slated to meet again at VMI on Feb. 14.