Davidson Wildcats
Southern Conference (29-4, 17-1)
Seed: #13
Midwest Region
RPI: 49
Big Wins:
12/9 Charlotte (92-80), 12/21 vs Ohio (83-74), 3/3 vs Charleston (72-65)
Bad Losses:
11/11 at Michigan (68-78), 11/19 at Missouri (75-81), 1/20 Appalachian
State (74-81)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 2006, First Round loss to Ohio State
Coach:
Bob McKillop (0-3 in 3 NCAA appearances)
Probable
Starters:
Jason Richards,
Junior, Guard, 13.6 ppg, 7.3 apg
Stephen Curry,
Freshman, Guard, 21.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.8 apg
Max Paulhus
Gosselin, Sophomore, Guard, 4.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Thomas Sander,
Junior, Forward, 13.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Boris Meno,
Junior, Forward, 11.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Key
Roleplayers:
William
Archambault, Freshman, Forward, 7.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Andrew Lovedale,
Sophomore, Forward, 5.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Why They Can
Surprise:
Greg Oden,
Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry…Stephen Curry? The 6-1 Davidson freshman only
averages 21.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals and shoots 84.8%
from the charity stripe and 46.4% from the floor. Curry has only failed to
score in double-digits once all season, incidentally against Duke, by far
the best opponent the Wildcats have faced all season.
Jason Richards
is truly a coach on the floor. The pass first point guard averages 7.3
assists per game, ranking second in the nation. Even in the uptempo style of
the Wildcats, Richards keeps the turnovers at a reasonable level. Davidson
expected a decent point guard after the junior spent two years on the bench
waiting his turn, but his scoring has been a surprise. Richards can step
outside and hit the long ball, but he is even better at working his way in
the paint and at least getting fouled. Richards leads the team with 4.2
trips to the charity stripe per outing.
Why They Can
Disappoint:
Davidson lost
four starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament team and this year’s group
lacks experience. Thomas Sander and Boris Meno shared starting duties last
year and Richards saw about 15 minutes per game, but players like versatile
guard Max Paulhus Gosselin and forward Andrew Lovedale saw only mop-up
minutes. Now they are starters or key contributors. Of course that has not
been a problem throughout the regular season, but the bright lights of March
could change everything.
Who To
Watch:
Sander and Meno
have taken on their increased roles without a problem. Both are quality
scorers on the inside and can step outside and hit the jumper. Add back-up
Lovedale to the mix and the Wildcats have a trio of great rebounders.
Lovedale only plays 18.2 minutes per game, but grabs 6.0 boards. And because
the Wildcats have a player like Lovedale coming off the bench, they rank
in the top ten nationally in rebounding margin.
Joel’s
Bracket Says: First Round loss to Maryland
