The Times-News of Burlington heralded tonight’s matchup between Elon University and Davidson College by asking: “Does Elon measure up? Phoenix aims for validation against Davidson.”
The Charlotte Observer’s angle was Davidson head coach Bob McKillop facing his former associate head coach with the Wildcats, Elon head coach Matt Matheny.
Either way you look at it, Elon vs. Davidson tonight at 7 p.m. is the game of the year in the Southern Conference. I know that’s a huge statement, but it means a lot, especially for the Phoenix.
Elon (19-9 overall, 12-4 SoCon) is coming off a string of winning 11 of its past 13 games, the latter few victories coming in late-game situations that the Phoenix has come out on top of. Unfortunately for Elon fans, the last game was a 72-68 loss to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga this past Saturday, Feb. 23.
Fortunately for Elon fans, junior forward Lucas Troutman missed that game but is probable for tonight, according to The Times-News. But he might miss it to rest for the tournament, which would be wise and the path I would take.
Davidson (21-7, 15-1 SoCon) has won 12 straight games by an average of 18.6 points per game.
It is impressive that the Phoenix managed to win four straight with Troutman out or hobbled. A likely candidate for SoCon Player of the Year going down would usually signify serious problems for a team. But the depth of this Phoenix squad has come out in the last five games.
Check out junior Ryley Beaumont’s point totals the last five games: 15, 22, 19, 14, 20. He’s more than made up for Troutman’s absence in both scoring and rebounding, and he has a knack for providing leadership that’s really developed this season.
Holding the team together is its bench boss. Matheny’s guiding of the team, from the attitude to the rotation of its bench to pumping up the crowd to everything else, is probably the most significant reason for the success the Phoenix has had this year.
Tonight is a momentous occasion for Elon. If the Phoenix walks away with a win, there is validation and a sense that this team is for real. If it’s a close game, I think the same thing occurs. I think it’s a sign that Elon can play with the big boys in red.
If Elon loses, well, there’s still the conference tournament. If all the top seeds in the tournament win, this is a preview for the SoCon Tournament final.
However it works out, we know one thing: this is the Southern Conference Game of the Year so far. And Elon players will get up for this one.
Beaumont said this to The Times-News: “It’ll be interesting. We’re hoping to throw a little wrench in that machine they’ve got going.”
I won’t go so far to make a prediction on the final score.
But I’ll say this: be there.